Lanthanum Telluride Nanowires: Formation, Doping and Raman Studies

A new approach for the synthesis of freely dispersible one-dimensional (1D) lanthanum telluride nanowires (La2Te3 NWs) in the solution phase is reported. The process involves a reaction between tellurium nanowires (Te NWs) and lanthanum nitrate (La(NO3)3) at room-temperature. Te NWs act as templates for the formation of La2Te3 NWs. The aspect ratio of the as prepared La2Te3 NWs is the same as the parent Te NWs. Various microscopic and spectroscopic tools such as HRTEM, SEM, EDAX, XRD, XPS, Raman, UV-visible, and fluorescence were used for the characterization of the NWs. A new surface enhanced Raman active substrate was synthesized by doping silver in La2Te3 NWs. Surface enhanced Raman spectra were studied using crystal violet (CV) as the analyte. Raman features have been observed up to a concentration of 10-8 M of CV. Different concentrations of Ag in Ag-doped La2Te3 NWs were investigated. The monodispersity, homogeneity, and Raman enhancement properties of the NWs, synthesized through a simple solution phase protocol, are expected to motivate further studies on this material.