Large-Area Sb₂Te₃ Nanowire Arrays

Abstract

High-density large-area nanowire arrays of thermoelectric material Sb2Te3 have been successfully prepared using electrochemical deposition into the channels of the porous anodic alumina membrane. The morphologies, structure, and composition of the as-prepared Sb2Te3 nanowires have been characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Individual Sb2Te3 nanowires are single crystalline and continuous with uniform diameters (∼50 nm) throughout the entire length. The atomic ratio of Sb to Te is very close to the 2:3 stoichiometry.