Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2Se3 Nanostructures

Bismuth selenide (Bi 2 Se 3 ) nanostructures were synthesized via solvothermal method. The crystallinity of the as-synthesized sample has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction, which shows the formation of rhombohedral Bi 2 Se 3 . Electron microscopy examination indicates that the Bi 2 Se 3 nanoparticles have hexagonal flake-like shape. The effect of the synthesis temperature on the morphology of the Bi 2 Se 3 nanostructures has also been investigated. It is found that the particle size increases with the synthesis temperature. Thermoelectric properties of the Bi 2 Se 3 nanostructures were also measured, and the maximum value of dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of 0.096 was obtained at 523 K.