Large-scale synthesis of feather-like single-crystal Te via a biphasic interfacial reaction route

Single-crystal Te with a feather-like superstructure was successfully synthesized in a large quantity through a biphasic interfacial reaction route, in which diethyldithiocarbamato tellurium(IV) (TDEC) and 2,2'-dithiodibenzoic acid (DTBA) were used respectively as Te source and the reducing agent. The as-synthesized Te crystals consist of a long central trunk and numerous secondary sharp branches that grow preferentially along the [001] direction and connect to the main trunk in a parallel direction with an angle of 60 degrees. Influences of the reaction conditions such as temperature and pH of the aqueous solution on the development of the superstructures have been investigated systematically. A possible mechanism for the formation of the dendritic superstructured Te was proposed.