Synthesis of a Ag–AgBiTe hybrid nano-segmented structure by a galvanic displacement reaction

A nanorod Ag-nanotube AgBiTe segmented structure was synthesized by an electrochemical displacement reaction. This hybrid nanostructure was synthesized based on Ag–Ni metal segmented nanowires, which were obtained by electrochemical deposition with an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template. During the galvanic-displacement reaction, Ag originating from Ag dissolved from Ag nano-segments, was incorporated into the displaced BiTe resulting in AgBiTe. The displaced AgBiTe nanotube segments consisted of an amorphous structure, but Ag segments had significant crystallinity.

► Ag–AgBiTe nano-structure was synthesized by electrochemical displacement reaction.
► During the displacement reaction, Ag was incorporated into BiTe resulting AgBiTe.
► Displaced AgBiTe nanotubes were amorphous, whereas Ag segments had crystallinity.