Screw‐Dislocation‐Driven Bidirectional Spiral Growth of Bi<sub>2</sub>Se<sub>3</sub> Nanoplates

Awei Zhuang, Jiajun Li, Youcheng Wang, Xin Wen, Yue Lin, Bin Xiang, Xiaoping Wang, Jie Zeng

Angewandte Chemie · 2014 · 31 citations · 39 references

Concepts

Abstract

Abstract Bi 2 Se 3 attracts intensive attention as a typical thermoelectric material and a promising topological insulator material. However, previously reported Bi 2 Se 3 nanostructures are limited to nanoribbons and smooth nanoplates. Herein, we report the synthesis of spiral Bi 2 Se 3 nanoplates and their screw‐dislocation‐driven (SDD) bidirectional growth process. Typical products showed a bipyramid‐like shape with two sets of centrosymmetric helical fringes on the top and bottom faces. Other evidence for the unique structure and growth mode include herringbone contours, spiral arms, and hollow cores. Through the manipulation of kinetic factors, including the precursor concentration, the pH value, and the amount of reductant, we were able to tune the supersaturation in the regime of SDD to layer‐by‐layer growth. Nanoplates with preliminary dislocations were discovered in samples with an appropriate supersaturation value and employed for investigation of the SDD growth process.

References

39