Unique Growth Pathway in Solution–Solid–Solid Nanowires: Cubic to Hexagonal Phase Transformation

[Image: see text] Solution–solid–solid (SSS) nanowires can be catalyzed by superionic Ag(2)S via ion diffusion. Here, we synthesize ZnS nanowires of the wurtzite crystal structure and heterostructures via a low-temperature growth pathway. Single-crystalline ZnS nanowires were produced by varying reaction time and temperature (120–200 °C) via thermal decomposition of a single-source precursor, Zn(DDTC)(2). A phase transformation (zinc blende → wurtzite) was observed during the synthesis with a three-step growth pathway proposed. Temperature-controlled phase transformation facilitates oriented attachment into a 1D nanowire, followed by helical epitaxial and lateral growths during ripening. Additionally, the CdS–ZnS heterostructured nanowires can be obtained after introducing the Cd(DDTC)(2) precursor. ZnS nanowires of defined diameters (5–10 nm) are served as backbones to grow heterostructures of ternary semiconductors with multicolor photoluminescence (450–800 nm). Structural and optical characterizations (PL, 2D PLE, and TCSPC) are investigated to confirm origins of broadband emission from multiple lifetimes (0.5–12 ns) for exciton recombination in heterostructures. Our study demonstrates this unique growth pathway for SSS nanowire synthesis under mild, facile, and atmospheric conditions.