Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Sb₂Se₃ Nanowires Prepared by a Gas Induced Reduction Method

Sb₂Se₃ nanowires have been prepared by a novel gas induced reduction (GIR) method. The precursor solution prepared by dissolving Sb₂(OCH₂CH₂O)₃ and SeO₂ in a certain solvent was initially separated from the reductant, hydrazine hydrate. The reductant evaporated during the heating process, dissolved into the precursor solution and reacted with Sb³⁺ and SeO₂ and finally Sb₂Se₃ nanostructures formed. Different solvents including diethanolamine, glycerol, ethylene glycol, deionized water, absolute ethanol and isopropyl alcohol were respectively used for comparison. It was found that when ethylene glycol was used as a solvent, pure, relatively homogeneous, and high aspect-ratio Sb₂Se₃ nanowires (40∼120 nm in diameter and ∼100 μm in length) were prepared. Growth mechanism of the Sb₂Se₃ nanowires was proposed. The electrochemistry character of the nanowires was investigated via assembling into lithium ion batteries. The discharge capacity of Sb₂Se₃/Li cell cycled between 0.3 and 2.5 V was performed in the range of 142∼1036 mA·h·g⁻¹ during the first 30 cycles, with the charge/discharge efficiency increasing from 89.4% to 97.5%.