Rapid synthesis of Ag2Se dendrites with enhanced electrical performance by microwave-assisted solution method.

Ag2Se dendrites and nanoparticles were successfully fabricated through a rapid one-pot microwave-assisted solution method using EDTA as complexing agent and formamide as solvent and reducing agent. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) techniques. On the basis of the experimental observations, an in situ template growth mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of the Ag2Se dendrites and nanoparticles. Moreover, the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient were investigated over the temperature range of 300–600 K to determine the impact of particle size and morphology on the electrical performance. The maximum power factor of 1.84 × 10−3 Wm−1 K−2 was obtained at 400 K for Ag2Se dendrites, which is about 20% larger than that of Ag2Se nanoparticles. The reasons of enhanced electrical performance were also carefully discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]