Shape-controlled synthesis of copper telluride micro/nanostructures via a simple electrochemical deposition route

Abstract

Shape-controllable synthesis of copper telluride micro/nanostructures has been successfully realized in air at room temperature by a simple galvanostatic electrodeposition route. By tuning experimental parameters such as the original Cu and Te sources, additives, deposition currents and media, copper telluride micro/nanostructures with various morphologies, including nanorod arrays, nanosphere-strewn copper telluride dendrites, copper telluride nanowires and star-like hexagonal copper telluride dendrites, were rapidly deposited in air at room temperature for 5 min. The final products were characterized by various means including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, (high-resolution) transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectrometry. The mechanisms of copper telluride production in various media are discussed.