Synthesis of α-tellurium dioxide nanorods from elemental tellurium by laser ablation

Elemental tellurium was evaporated by laser ablation, the vapor of which was condensed and deposited on the surface of the heated glass surface and then formed α-tellurium dioxide nanorods with uniformly size distribution by oxidation in the chamber with hot air atmosphere. TEM images and Electron diffraction (ED) pattern confirm the crystallinity of α-phase tellurium dioxide. The formation process of the nanorods involves a vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) following a chemical oxidation in the hot air atmosphere, in which the low melting point tellurium serves as a liquid-forming reagent.