Sonoelectrochemical synthesis and assembly of bismuth–antimony alloy: From nanocrystals to nanoflakes

Bismuth-based nanostructures have attracted growing interest because of their promising thermoelectric properties and applications in optics and electronics. Pulsed sonoelectrochemical technique was selected to fabricate bismuth–antimony (BiSb) flake-like alloy in ethylene glycol aqueous solution. The formation mechanism for the BiSb alloy was discussed. Ultrasonic played an important role in regenerating electrode and promoting the formation of BiSb nanoflakes. Citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were introduced as mixed controlling agents during the nucleation and growth process.