Large-scale synthesis of feather-like single-crystal Te via a biphasic interfacial reaction route

Abstract

Single-crystal Te with a feather-like superstructure was successfully synthesized in a large quantity through a biphasic interfacial reaction route, in which diethyldithiocarbamato tellurium(IV) (TDEC) and 2,2′-dithiodibenzoic acid (DTBA) were used respectively as Te source and the reducing agent. The as-synthesized Te crystals consist of a long central trunk and numerous secondary sharp branches that grow preferentially along the [001] direction and connect to the main trunk in a parallel direction with an angle of 60°. Influences of the reaction conditions such as temperature and pH of the aqueous solution on the development of the superstructures have been investigated systematically. A possible mechanism for the formation of the dendritic superstructured Te was proposed.