Simple synthesis of ultra-long Ag2Te nanowires through solvothermal co-reduction method

Ultra-long single crystal β-Ag₂Te nanowires with the diameter of about 300 nm were fabricated through a solvothermal route in ethylene glycol (EG) system without any template. The long single crystal wires were curves, with high purity, well-crystallized, and dislocation-free and characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM). The detailed topotactic transformation process from particles into single crystal wires was studied. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient have been systematically studied between 300 and 600 K.