Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Sb<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> Nanowires Prepared by a Gas Induced Reduction Method

Abstract

Sb2Se3 nanowires have been prepared by a novel gas induced reduction (GIR) method. The precursor solution prepared by dissolving Sb2(OCH2CH2O)3 and SeO2 in a certain solvent was initially separated from the reductant, hydrazine hydrate. The reductant evaporated during the heating process, dissolved into the precursor solution and reacted with Sb3+ and SeO2 and finally Sb2Se3 nanostructures formed. Different solvents including diethanolamine, glycerol, ethylene glycol, deionized water, absolute ethanol and isopropyl alcohol were respectively used for comparison. It was found that when ethylene glycol was used as a solvent, pure, relatively homogeneous, and high aspect-ratio Sb2Se3 nanowires (40-120 nm in diameter and -100 microm in length) were prepared. Growth mechanism of the Sb2Se3 nanowires was proposed. The electrochemistry character of the nanowires was investigated via assembling into lithium ion batteries. The discharge capacity of Sb2Se3/Li cell cycled between 0.3 and 2.5 V was performed in the range of 142-1036 mA x h x g(-1) during the first 30 cycles, with the charge/discharge efficiency increasing from 89.4% to 97.5%.