Sb2Te3nanostructures with various morphologies: rapid microwave solvothermal synthesis and Seebeck coefficients

Abstract

In this article, a rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal method is reported for the preparation of Sb₂Te₃ nanostructures with a variety of morphologies including single-crystalline nanorods, individual nanosheets, nanorods with branched ultrathin nanosheets, and half-nanotubes constructed by the self-assembly of nanocrystals. The morphology of Sb₂Te₃ nanostructures can be controlled by simply altering the amount of hydrazine hydrate and polyethylene glycol. The tablets of Sb₂Te₃ nanostructured powders with different morphologies are prepared by a room-temperature pressurized method, and they exhibit high Seebeck coefficients, which are much higher than those of Sb₂Te₃ bulk crystals reported.