Template Synthesis of Bismuth Telluride Nanowires

Abstract : We report the fabrication of thermoelectric bismuth telluride nanowires using the template synthesis method. A simple electrodeposition procedure was used to produce the nanowires within the pores of an alumina filtration membrane. The resulting bismuth telluride/alumina composite membranes constitute an array of thermoelectric nanowires surrounded by a thermally and electrically insulating matrix. The individual bismuth telluride nanowires can be isolated by removal of the template membrane. These nanowires were characterized and found to be composed of stoichiometric bismuth telluride.