Template-Free Synthesis of Lead Telluride Nanowires by a Hydrothermal Process

Abstract

One-pot template-free approach was developed to synthesize lead telluride nanowires by reaction of lead acetate and sodium tellurite at 180 ºC, in which sodium hypophosphite (NaH₂PO₂·H₂O) was used as reducing agent. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). During this process, the pH value and reducing agent have great influence on the morphology of the final products. This method provides the advantage of synthesizing PbTe nanowires without employing surfactants, templates and the experiments were carried out in an easy and mild way, which is of great importance to potential application in IR detection, photoconductivity and thermoelectric materials for thermoelectric power generation field, etc.