Synthesis and characterization of Bi2Te3 nanotubes by a hydrothermal method

One-dimensional semiconductor materials Bi2Te3 nanotubes were synthesized via an ultrasonic-assisted hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 48 h. The products were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and HRTEM. The results indicate the size of as-prepared Bi2Te3 nanotubes is about 500–1000 nm in length and 50–100 nm in diameter. Bi2Te3 nanotubes grow spirally along the (0 0 1) direction, whose angle with the tube axis is about 20°. The probable formation model of Bi2Te3 nanotubes is proposed based on the experimental results. The synthetic approach could be used to synthesize other one-dimensional nanomaterials.