A simple and quick chemical synthesis of nanostructured Bi 2Te3, Sb2Te3, and BixSb 2-xTe3

Abstract

We report a simple and quick route for the preparation of high-quality, nearly monodisperse Bi2Te3, Sb2Te3, and BixSb2-x- Te3 nanocrystallites. The reactions of bismuth acetate or antimony acetate with Te in oleic acid result in pure phase of Bi2Te3 or Sb2Te 3 nanoparticles, respectively. Also, ternary BixSb2- xTe3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using the same method. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles were controlled by varying the stabilizing agents. The as-prepared nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and high-resolution transmission electron microscope using an energy dispersive spectroscopy.