Preparation and characteristics of HgTe nanostructures using solvothermal method: effects of different alkaline agents and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

In the present work, HgTe nanostructures have been synthesized with the aid of TeCl4 and [Hg(salbn)] as a novel precursor by solvothermal method in the present of an alkaline agent. The effect of the alkaline agents, temperature, and reaction time on the chemical structure, and morphology of HgTe nanostructures prepared using solvothermal method has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique and also as-synthesized products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectrum, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The photocatalytic properties of HgTe nanostructure was evaluated via degradation of Rhodamine B and Eosin under UV lamp. The experimental result indicated that decrease in reaction time cause decrease in particle size of product. The crystal size of the HgTe nanoparticles was estimated by Deby–Scherrer equation and it was about 11.6 nm. Furthermore, use KOH as alkaline source result in prevent of agglomeration of nanoparticles and also changes it can produce impurities in the sample that to study the issue was used three type alkaline agent.