Controlled synthesis of PbSe nanotubes by solvothermal transformation from selenium nanotubes.
PbSe nanotubes were successfully synthesized by a reactive template approach via solvothermal transformation of trigonal selenium (t-Se) nanotubes in ethylene glycol. It was revealed that a relatively high reaction temperature (e.g., 200 degrees C), adequate ascorbic acid, and proper lead source were crucial for preparing PbSe nanotubes through shape-preserved transformation of t-Se nanotubes. Moreover, novel Se@PbSe composite nanotubes consisting of Se nanotubes covered with a PbSe sheath were obtained by shortening the reaction time and subsequent removal of the inner Se nanotubes resulted in the formation of thin-walled PbSe nanotubes (less than 20 nm in wall thickness). On the basis of the experimental observations, a plausible mechanism for the formation of PbSe nanotubes as well as Se@PbSe composite nanotubes was proposed. Furthermore, preliminary electrochemical measurements showed that the prepared PbSe nanotubes exhibited a good electrochemical activity.
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Stable and Unstable Species, College of Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Teng
T
Huang
Limin
L
Qi