Synthesis of Sb₂Te₃ Hierarchical Nanostructures by Divalent Germanium Ion‐assisted Solution Method

Abstract

A simple and convenient divalent germanium ion-assisted low temperature (100 C) liquid phase synthesis of Sb 2 Te 3 flowerlike nanostructures with diameters of 300-500 nm by controlled agglomeration is described. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the flakes were formed by two-dimensional aggregation of nanocrystals smaller than 10 nm. Subsequent experiments performed without the use of germanium source gave only platelike architectures of irregular size and shape. The morphology and composition of these synthesized Sb 2 Te 3 nanoflowers were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, TEM, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectra. The atomic ratio of Sb to Te is very close to 2:3 stoichiometry. A possible mechanism is also proposed for the formation of these hierarchical nanostructures.