Characterization of nanocrystalline bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) synthesized by a novel approach through aqueous precursor method

Bi2Te3-based alloys are currently best-known, technologically important thermoelectric materials near room temperature. In this paper, nanocrystalline Bi2Te3 was synthesized by an aqueous solution technique based on the reaction between the aqueous solution of Bi-ethylenediamine tetraaceticacid (EDTA), TeO-EDTA, and NaBH4 at room temperature. NaBH4 was used as a reducing agent. TeO-EDTA was prepared from TeO2 after satisfactory purification. The sample purity was examined by selected area energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy by which the particle morphologies and size were studied. The particle size ranges from 60 to 90 nm.