First sub-kilogram-scale synthesis of high quality ultrathin tellurium nanowires

Ultrathin semiconductor nanowires as ideal nanoscale building blocks have gained much research attention. However, the macroscopic-scale synthesis of high quality nanowires remains a challenge in the field of nanowire science and technology. Here, we demonstrate the first sub-kilogram-scale synthesis of ultrathin tellurium nanowires (TeNWs) by a one-pot scale-up hydrothermal process. As much as 150 g of uniform TeNWs with diameters of 7–9 nm and lengths of several micrometers can be synthesized. The ultra-large-scale synthesized TeNWs also can be used as a versatile template to prepare a family of high quality metal telluride nanowires in large quantities because of their high chemical reactivity and excellent dispersibility in various solvents. This research sheds light on the possibility of ultra-large-scale synthesis of high quality nanowires in the future, which is of crucial significance from the viewpoint of practical applications of functional inorganic nanowires.