Solvothermal Synthesis of Bi2Se3 Hexagonal Nanosheet Crystals

Abstract

Bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) hexagonal nanosheet crystals with uniform size were successfully prepared via a solvothermal method at 160°C for 22 h using bismuth trichloride(BiCl3) and selenium powder(Se) as raw materials, sodium bisulfite(NaHSO3) as a reducing agent, diethylene glycol(DEG) as solvent, and ammonia as pH regulator. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) were used to characterize the obtained products. Results show that the as-synthesized samples are pure Bi2Se3 hexagonal nanosheet crystals. A possible growth mechanism for Bi2Se3 hexagonal nanosheet crystals is also discussed based on the experiment.