Wet-chemical synthesis of different bismuth telluride nanoparticles using metal organic precursors-single source vs. dual source approach

Abstract

Thermolysis of the single source precursor (Et 2 Bi) 2 Te 1 in DIPB at 80 °C yielded phase-pure Bi 4 Te 3 nanoparticles, while mixtures of Bi 4 Te 3 and elemental Bi were formed at higher temperatures. In contrast, cubic Bi 2 Te particles were obtained by thermal decomposition of Et 2 BiTeEt 2 in DIPB. Moreover, a dual source approach (hot injection method) using the reaction of Te(SiEt 3) 2 and Bi(NMe 2) 3 was applied for the synthesis of different pure Bi-Te phases including Bi 2 Te, Bi 4 Te 3 and Bi 2 Te 3, which were characterized by PXRD, REM, TEM and EDX. The influence of reaction temperature, precursor molar ratio and thermolysis conditions on the resulting material phase was verified. Moreover, reactions of alternate bismuth precursors such as Bi(NEt 2) 3, Bi(NMeEt) 3 and BiCl 3 with Te(SiEt 3) 2 were investigated.