Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotube supported Bi2Te3 nanocrystals

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) supported Bi2Te3 nanoparticle heterostructures were firstly synthesized using a microwave-polyol method assistant with titration. The microwave heating process was adopted to yield nanoscale Bi2Te3 by accelerating chemical reaction rate. And the titration of Bi2Te3 precursors was conducted to make the nanoparticles grow onto surfaces of MWNTs easily. The general morphology of resulting composites is hexagonal Bi2Te3 nanoplates and their aggregates attached on surfaces of MWNTs randomly. When the diameter of MWNT is rather shorter, Bi2Te3 crystallites are encapsulated into inner cores of nanotubes.