Influence of reduction rate from Bi(3+) to Bi(0) on morphological characteristics of Bi2Te3 nanotubes.

Abstract

Bi2Te3 nanotubes were synthesized by alloying Te nanorods and Bi(0) metal reduced from Bi(3+) using the solvothermal method. It was found that, when synthesizing Te nanorods, the concentration of NaOH was a greatly influential factor, where round-like Te nanorods were synthesized at the range of pH 12~13. Meanwhile, the alloying process between Bi(0) and Te nanorods was achieved through atomic diffusion in the interfacial surface of those two metals. The morphology of Bi2Te3 crystal was verified to be governed by the reduction rate changing to Bi(0) from Bi(3+).