Template-free electrochemical synthesis of single-crystal CuTe nanoribbons

Copper telluride (CuTe) is a transition metal chalcogenide with interesting electronic and photoelectric properties and potential applications. In this study, CuTe nanoribbons were successfully synthesized for the first time by an electrochemical method from an aqueous solution at 85 degrees C without using any template or capping agent. The composition of the nanoribbons was determined by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphology and crystal structure of the as-grown CuTe nanoribbons were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron diffraction (ED), and high-resolution transparent electron inicroscopy (HRTEM). The CuTe nanoribbons have single-crystal orthorhombic structure and grown along the [010] direction. The growth mechanism of the nanoribbons is discussed based on the experimental conditions and the special layer structure of CuTe.