Palchik et al. [13] synthesized PbTe from solutions under microwave radiations. Earlier works also reported the synthesis of 3-D structures of PbTe such as dendrite-like structures via electrochemical Nutlin-3a price deposition [14] and sponge-like structures from sonochemistry [15]. Among the various synthesis techniques employed for the formation of PbTe nanostructures, the solvothermal/hydrothermal process has attracted much interest due to the advantage of high yield, low synthesis temperature,

high purity, and high crystallinity. Zhu et al. reported the synthesis of PbTe powders using alkaline reducing solvothermal route [16] and the synthesis of PbTe three-dimensional hierarchical superstructures via an alkaline hydrothermal method [17]. The solvothermal/hydrothermal technique produces various PbTe nanostructures such as nanotubes [18, 19], nanospheres [20], and nanoboxes [21]. In this work, we report the synthesis of undoped and In-doped PbTe nanostructures using the solvothermal and hydrothermal routes in alkaline solution selleck chemicals llc medium with or without a surfactant at different temperatures and reaction time durations. We have explored the synthesis of the undoped and In-doped PbTe nanostructures using a water/glycerol mixture as a solvent, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported. The morphology and crystal structure of the as-synthesized undoped

and In-doped PbTe nanostructures have been discussed in detail. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analyses were conducted to investigate the indium incorporation

into the PbTe matrix. A pseudo-potential first principle calculation was conducted to study the mechanism of indium doping into the PbTe matrix. In-doped PbTe is expected to enhance the thermoelectric property due to the increase in Seebeck coefficient through the distortion electron density of states near the Fermi level. Methods Analytically pure lead nitrate (PbNO3), indium chloride (InCl3), and AZD0156 order tellurium (Te) powder were used as precursor materials for the synthesis of PbTe and In-doped PbTe. These materials were put in the Teflon liner in the appropriate molar ratios according to the formula In x Pb1-x Te, where 5-FU chemical structure x = 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, and 0.02. Then, 6.25 mmol of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a pH controlling agent, 2.6 mmol of sodium borohydrate (NaBH4) as a reducing agent, and 1 mmol of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a shape-directing additive were added. Water was used as a solvent in the hydrothermal process; either ethanol or a mixture of glycerol and water in 1:3 volume ratio was used as solvent for the solvothermal route. Later, the Teflon liner was filled up to 80% of its total volume with the solvent and was placed in an ultrasonicator for 30 min to obtain a uniform reaction mixture. After sonication, the Teflon liner was placed in an autoclave and sealed tightly.