Simple synthesis and photoelectric properties of Cu2Te nanotubes

Abstract

In this study, Cu₂Te nanotubes (NTs) were successfully synthesized by the solvothermal method without surfactant under mild conditions with ethylene glycol as the solvent, NaOH as the alkaline environment provider, and green non-toxic L-ascorbic acid as the reductant. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of Cu₂Te NTs were determined to be 120 °C, 1.0 g NaOH, and 5.0 mL L-ascorbic acid. Under 980 nm pulse incident infrared light, 120 mW laser power, and +0.01 V bias voltage, the Cu₂Te NT-based photodetector shows a photocurrent of 1.393 μA and a responsivity of 1.05 μA W⁻¹, which shows an obvious photoelectric signal and relatively good stability. The rise time and decay time of the photodetector are 7.8 s and 9.3 s, respectively, and the response time is much faster than that of other telluride nanomaterial photodetectors reported recently.