One-step synthesis of high-quality homogenous Te/Se alloy nanorods with various morphologies

Abstract

A convenient method was developed for controllable synthesis of homogeneous trigonal Te/Se alloy nanorods (t-Te/Se ANRs) with diverse morphologies, aspect ratios and compositions at room temperature in aqueous solution. These alloy nanorods were formed by a self-seeding process. By varying the molar ratio of TeO₂ to H₂SeO₃ (x(Te : Se)) in the initial precursors, the morphology of t-Te/Se ANRs was transformed mainly via two paths: formation of tri-fold nanorods (TNRs) or single nanorods (SNRs). The nanostructures of TNRs were generated only by using x(Te : Se) ranging from 30 : 1 to 10 : 1, and SNRs were formed using x(Te : Se) ranging from 200 : 1 to 100 : 1 or 2 : 1 to 1 : 1. The microstructures, compositions, and growth mechanisms of these nanorods were also analyzed in detail.