Electrodeposition and characterization of thermoelectric Bi2Te2Se/Te multilayer nanowire arrays

Multilayer nanowire arrays of a new heterogeneous thermoelectric material, Bi2Te2Se/Te, were successfully fabricated by a template-assisted pulsed electrodeposition method. The nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. The diameter of the nanowires is in the range of 60-85 nm. By adjusting the concentration of Te precursor, the length of the Te segment can be modulated. At sufficient low concentration of Te precursor, the phase composition of the other segment can even be changed from Bi2Te2Se to Bi2Se2Te. The formation and growth mechanisms of the nanowires were proposed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.