One-step microwave-solvothermal rapid synthesis of Sb doped PbTe/Ag2Te core/shell composite nanocubes

Sb doped PbTe/Ag2Te core/shell composite nanocubes were synthesized by a rapid one-step microwave-assisted solvothermal method. The as-prepared composite nanocubes consisted of crystalline Sb doped PbTe as the core and amorphous Ag2Te as the shell. The reactants used were SbCl3, AgNO3, Pb(CH3COO)2·3H2O, Na2TeO3, NaOH and NaBH4 in the solvent of ethylene glycol. The reaction mechanism of Sb doped PbTe/Ag2Te core/shell composite nanocubes was proposed. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Successful synthesis of Sb doped PbTe/Ag2Te core/shell composite nanocubes. ► A microwave-assisted solvothermal method is demonstrated. ► This method is advantageous for its one-step rapid synthesis with microwave heating for only 20 min without using complexing agents or surfactants.