One-dimensional Sb2Se3 nanostructures: solvothermal synthesis, growth mechanism, optical and electrochemical properties

Abstract

Large-scale single-crystalline Sb2Se3 nanowires were prepared via a template-free solvothermal route. Experimental parameters, such as reaction media and precursor, played crucial roles in determining the morphologies and homogeneity of the final products. Furthermore, the as-synthesized one-dimensional Sb2Se3 nanostructures could be adjusted from nanowires to nanorods with different diameters, simply by changing the reaction temperature, based on the influence of the kinetics on nucleation and crystal growth. Moreover, UV-vis absorption and electrochemical properties demonstrate that the as-synthesized Sb2Se3 nanowires could be expected to be potentially used in lithium ion batteries as well as solar energy and photoelectronics.