One-dimensional bismuth chalcogenide-filled single-walled carbon nanotubes: Formation of solid solution and homologous nanostructures

Abstract

Metal chalcogenides have been interesting for researchers from the middle of the 20th century. In the 21st century, topological insulators based on metal chalcogenides are a developing and promising field. All such studies have mostly been dedicated to the atomic structure, optical, and electronic properties of these materials. In the present work, SWCNTs were filled with the the topological insulators bismuth selenide, and bismuth telluride. The microstructure of filled SWCNTs were investigated with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM). The electronic properties of the composite filled SWCNTs were studied with Raman spectroscopy, which show only a small modification to the electronic structure of nanotubes due to small band gap of the encapsulated chalcogenides. These results are promising for the applications of metal chalcogenide-filled SWCNTs in nanoelectronics, thermoelectric power generation devices, and biomedicine.