Ambient Aqueous Growth of Cu₂Te Nanostructures with Excellent Electrocatalytic Activity toward Sulfide Redox Shuttles.

ABSTRACT: A new aqueous and scalable strategy to synthesize surfactant-free Cu₂Te nanotubes and nanosheets at room temperature has been developed. In aqueous solution, Cu₂E (E = O, S, Se) nanoparticles can be easily transformed into Cu₂Te nanosheets and nanotubes via a simple anion exchange reaction under ambient conditions. The formation of Cu₂Te nanosheets is ascribed to a novel exchange-peeling growth mechanism instead of simple Kirkendall effect; and the resultant nanosheets can be further rolled into nanotubes with assistance of stirring. The morphologies of Cu₂Te nanosheets and nanotubes can be easily controlled by changing the synthesis parameters, such as the concentration of precursors, the size of nanoparticle precursor, and the amount

SUBMITTER: Han C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5067604 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature