Tailoring InSb Nanowires for High Thermoelectric Performance Using AAO Template-Assisted Die Casting Process

Abstract

Herein, we demonstrate a facile technique for the fabrication of one-dimensional indium antimonide (InSb) nanowires using anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) template-assisted vacuum die-casting method. The filling mechanism of the vacuum die-casting process is investigated on varying AAO pore structures through different electrolytes. It is found that the anodizing electrolytes play a vital role in nanowire growth and structure formation. The as-obtained InSb nanowires from the dissolution process show a degree of high crystallinity, homogeneity, and uniformity throughout their structure. The TEM and XRD results elucidated the InSb zinc-blende crystal structure and preferential orientation along the c-axis direction. The thermoelectric characteristics of InSb nanowires were measured with a four-electrode system, and their resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, power factor, thermal conductivity, and ZT have been evaluated. Further, surface-modified nanowires using the reactive-ion etching technique showed a 50% increase in thermoelectric performance.

Dispersion of InSb Nanoinclusions in Cu3SbS4 for Improved Stability and Thermoelectric Efficiency

“…As shown in Figure 1d, Raman spectra also revealed the InSb peak at 186 cm À1 in composite samples that correspond to the longitudinal-optical (LO) phonon mode, which confirms the formation of the InSb phase. [37] As shown in Figure 1e, the backscattered electron scanning electron microscope (BSE-SEM) image indicates that the InSb nanoinclusions are distributed homogeneously in the Cu 3 SbS 4 nanocomposite. The elemental mapping shown in Figure 1f exposes the elements that are distributed uniformly in the matrix and nanophase.…”

Growth kinetics of crumb-like structure formation on SnO2 nanowires during direct oxidation

“…Typical Sn nanowires grown in the AAO template replicate the nanochannel pore structure, where the diameter of the pore channel is adjusted by acid electrolytes [ 29 ]. The honeycomb nanostructures of the high aspect ratio AAO-template were fabricated in oxalic and phosphoric electrolytes; the averaged pore dimensions are about 100 nm and 250 nm, respectively, as shown in Fig.…”

“…Table 1 presents a comparative analysis of the optical bandgaps of SnO 2 nanoparticles fabricated through various techniques. In these different synthesis methods, such as AAO/Sol-gel, Electrospinning, and Template-assisted deposition, the tetragonal SnO 2 phase emerges as the predominant crystal structures [ [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] ]. It implies that the weak orthorhombic phase in SnO 2 nanowire is responsible for the 3.3 eV optical bandgap energy when compared to other works.…”