Morphological control of Bi₂Te₃ nanotubes and their thermoelectric properties

Highly uniform Bi₂Te₃ nanotubes with various morphologies are synthesized via a solution process using Te nanowires as a sacrificial template. The morphology of Bi₂Te₃ nanotubes can be controlled by varying the solvent system. The reaction between Bi and Te in triethylene glycol (TEG) produces Bi₂Te ₃ nanotubes with plate-like surface morphology, whereas rough surface morphology of the Bi₂Te ₃ nanotubes is obtained by the reaction in ethylene glycol (EG). The crystal structures and morphologies of nanotubes are investigated X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of solvent on the evolution of morphology of the Bi₂Te ₃ nanotubes is investigated. The effect of surface morphology on the thermoelectric properties is discussed.