Template-Free Electrodeposition of One-Dimensional Nanostructures of Tellurium

Without the aid of surfactants or catalysts, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures of Te (nanowires with a small quantity of nanotubes and nanoribbons) have been synthesized directly from template-free electrodeposition (TFED) in an aqueous solution at low temperature. As observed by electron microscopy, the as-grown Te nanomaterials are single crystalline trigonal structure and contain few defects. The preferential growth of these 1D nanostructures along the [001] direction is attributed to the intrinsic anisotropic crystal structure of Te and the special growth condition of TFED. It is anticipated that TFED could be used as a versatile approach to synthesize various I D materials which contain intrinsic highly anisotropic crystal strictures.