Synthesis and characterization of Bi2Te3 nanotubes by a hydrothermal method

One-dimensional semiconductor materials Bi2Te3 nanotubes were synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal method at 180 degrees C for 48 h. The products were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and HRTEM. The results indicate the size of as-prepared Bi2Te3 nanotubes is about 500-1000 nm in length and 50-100 nm in diameter. Bi2Te3 nanotubes grow spirally along the (0 0 1) direction, whose angle with the tube axis is about 20 degrees. The probable formation model of Bi2Te3 nanotubes is proposed based on the experimental results. The synthetic approach could be used to synthesize other one-dimensional nanomaterials. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.