Bi2Te3–Te nanocomposite formed by epitaxial growth of Bi2Te3 sheets on Te rod

Single-crystal Bi2Te3–Te nanocomposites with heterostructure were synthesized using a two-step solvothermal process in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt. The first step is the formation of the Te nanorods and the second step is to grow the Bi2Te3 sheets off the Te rods surface to form the Bi2Te3–Te nanocomposites. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrate a method of an epitaxial growth of Bi2Te3 nanosheets perpendicular to the axis of the central Te rod and a formation process of Bi2Te3–Te nanocomposites is also proposed.