Synthesis and Characterization of Water-Soluble Arabinogalactan-Stabilized Bismuth Telluride Nanoparticles

Synthesis and DC Electrical Conductivity of Nanocomposites Based on Poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) and Thermoelectric Tellurium Nanoparticles

“…Water-soluble aggregation-stable PVT–Te 0 NPs (1.4–4.3 wt% Te) were obtained by the oxidation of Te 2− anions to zero-valent tellurium (Te 0 ) in an aqueous PVT solution. The Te 2− anions were pre-generated by the reduction (activation) in commercial powdered tellurium with hydrazine hydrate in an alkaline medium ( Figure 3 ), according to the method previously proposed in [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…The solution containing PVT was cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture with tellurium anions (120–400 µL) that were pre-synthesized in accordance with the technique described in the articles [ 19 , 20 ] was added into a Te solution flask under constant stirring with a magnetic stirrer. The formation of the Te 0 nanoparticles was identified by a change in the color of the reaction mixture from colorless (native PVT solution) or red–purple (reaction mixture containing Te 2− anions) to gray.…”

“…The solution containing PVT was cooled to room temperature. The reaction mixture with tellurium anions (120-400 µL) that were presynthesized in accordance with the technique described in the articles [19,20] was added…”

“…Under these conditions, we obtained Te 0 -containing PVT-based nanocomposites with yields of 58-71%, which are water soluble powders of grey color. tellurium with hydrazine hydrate in an alkaline medium (Figure 3), according to the method previously proposed in [19,20]. The process resulted in the powdered tellurium being completely dissolved to form highly reactive Te 2− anions in accordance with Equation (2):…”

“…In this regard, the use of previously developed simple and environmentally friendly methods of producing chalcogen containing nanoparticles [ 19 , 20 ], particularly Te 0 ones from the commercially available bulk Te powder, as well as the application of the original polymer poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) (PVT) in the form of a polymeric stabilizing matrix for the nanoparticle formation, seems highly promising for the synthesis of thermoelectric nanocomposites. The PVT exhibits a complex of practically important properties such as high hydrophilicity, solubility in polar organic solvents, ability for complexation and quaternization, chemical stability, biocompatibility, and thermal stability.…”