Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of Bi2Te3 nanosheets and nanotubes

Bi2Te3 nanosheets and nanotubes have been prepared via a microwave-assisted method using ethylene glycol as solvent and reducing agent at 180 °C, 190 °C and 195 °C. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were employed to characterize the products. It is found that both the nanosheets and nanotubes are well-crystallized single crystals and morphologies of the products are greatly affected by the reaction temperature. A possible formation mechanism related to layer structure rolling was also proposed.