Preparation and characterization of single-crystalline bismuth nanowires by a low-temperature solvothermal process

Single-crystalline metallic bismuth nanowires have been successfully prepared by a solvothermal process at low temperatures, using aqueous bismuth nitrate [Bi(NO3)3·5H2O] and ethylene diamine (H2NCH2CH2NH2) as starting materials. Characterizations have been carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The diameter of the nanowires is about 20–30 nm and lengths range from 0.2 to 2.5 μm. The reduction of bismuth ions (Bi3+) and formation mechanism of nanowire were discussed based on the characteristic of the reaction system employed.