Tuning the Geometrical and Crystallographic Characteristics of Bi2Te3 Nanowires by Electrodeposition in Ion-Track Membranes

We report the fabrication of Bi2Te3 nanowires with diameters as small as 15 nm, which is comparable to the size theoretically estimated for the onset of improvement of the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT by quantum-size effects. The versatility of the template-assisted growth, combining self-prepared ion-track etched membranes and electrochemical deposition, has been employed to synthesize Bi2Te3 nanowires with controlled diameters in 10, 30, and 60 μm thick membranes and with large aspect ratios (length over diameter) of up to 1000. SEM, HRTEM, and XRD investigations reveal how morphology, surface roughness, and crystalline orientation of the Bi2Te3 nanowires depend on deposition potential, temperature, and channel diameter.

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