Abstract
Tetraiodomercurate (Ag2HgI4) nanostructures were grown using facile low temperature chemical synthesis technique successfully. As synthesized nanostructures were examined using X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction pattern of sample reveals pure tetragonal β phase Ag2HgI4 nanostructure growth. The preferred orientation of grown nanostructures was observed along (112) plane and lattice constant was found a = b = 6.31858 Å and c = 12.60247 Å. Raman spectra of nanostructures showed vibrational modes at ~ 60 cm−1, 107 cm−1,151 cm−1, and 268 cm−1 that is confirms growth of pure phase Ag2HgI4 nanostructures. Surface morphology of nanostructures was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy which showed algae type nanostructures in bundles form. Optical bandgap of nanostructures was determined using diffuse reflectance spectra which is obtained in range of 2.45 eV. Dielectric properties of nanostructure were explored as a function of frequency. A significant variation in dielectric constant was observed with frequency, it reduced to about half at high frequency. In addition, optoelectronic performance of nanostructures was also studied. Optoelectronic parameters such as external quantum efficiency (EQE), responsivity and specific detectivity of nanostructures were found to be ~ 27–145, 0.11–0.6 A/W and 2.0 × 1010–1.07 × 1011 Jones; respectively.