Controllable synthesis of Cu7Te4 nanoparticles and sheet-like particles through the delayed reaction and their thermal stability

Cu7Te4 nanoparticles and sheet-like particles have been successfully synthesized using different organic solvents (acetone and cyclohexanone) by a solvothermal process. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were employed to characterize the as-obtained products. From the experimental results, it has been revealed that the reaction temperature and types of organic solvent have crucial effects on the morphology of the prepared products. The possible formation mechanism for diverse microstructures was put forward. Furthermore, the oxidation process of Cu7Te4 nanoparticles and sheet-like particles under air indicates morphology-dependent property.