Simple routes to synthesis and characterization of nanosized tin telluride compounds

Nanosized tin telluride compounds were prepared by chemical reduction process and hydrothermal methods. The nanosized SnTe compounds were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SnTe nanoalloy prepared by chemical reduction process presented quasi-spherical morphology with aggregation. The sizes of particle were 40–50 nm. The powder prepared by hydrothermal process was nearly nanospheres, and the particle sizes were 30–40 nm with narrow distribution. The effect of capping agent, reductant sort, and reaction temperature on the morphology, the particle sizes and the phase of SnTe alloys have been investigated. Experimental results indicated that N2H4·H2O plays a crucial role in the formation of nanosized rode-like SnTe compounds.