Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide assisted self-assembly of NiTe2 nanoflakes: Nanoflake arrays and their photoluminescence properties

NiTe2 nanoflakes and their self-assembled nanoflake arrays (one-dimensional nanostructures) have been prepared by a single-step hydrothermal method using Ni(CH3COO)2.4H2O, Na2TeO3, glucose, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). CTAB was found to strongly influence the structure and morphology of the resultant NiTe2. Morphological transformations from nanoflakes to self-assembled nanoflake arrays and then to solid smooth nanowires were observed as CTAB concentration was increased in the growth solution. Photoluminescence of the NiTe2 self-assembled nanoflake arrays was investigated for the first time and the formation mechanism of the NiTe2 nanostructures is also discussed. - Graphical abstract: NiTe2 nanoflakes and their self-assembled nanoflake arrays have been prepared by a single-step hydrothermal method using Ni(CH3COO)2.4H2O, Na2TeO3, glucose, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).