Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 March 2011
Nanometer-sized Bi0.90Sb0.10 has been, for the first time, prepared using a hightemperature organic solution reducing method. With the presence of proper capping and stabilizing agents, we were able to produce Bi0.90Sb0.10 nanoparticles as small as ∼12 nm. Nearly monodisperse distributions were obtained through a size-selective post treatment. Transmission electron microscope characterization reveals that the as-prepared particles have a highly crystalline single rhombohedral phase. Self-assembled patterns of Bi0.90Sb0.10 were successfully achieved upon evaporation of the solvent from the nanoparticle colloids. As a step toward possible applications of these particles in thermoelectric device structures, we have also demonstrated that we are able to control the pattern of Bi0.90Sb0.10 self-assembly from 2D to 1D by employing different solvent systems with varying ratios of polar and non-polar components.