Convenient solvothermal synthesis of nanoscale 0-2D Bi without surfactants and templates

Bi is a semimetal with unusual and attractive electronic properties. However, synthesis of nanoscale 0-2D Bi single crystal with good dispersity and quality without surfactants and substrates is still a challenge. In this paper, a novel, simple and low-cost solvothermal method for synthesis of 0-2D nanoscale Bi at mild conditions and without a surfactant/substrate is reported. By using Bi(NO 3 ) 3 ·5H 2 O or NaBiO 3 ·2H 2 O as Bi sources and environmental friendly C 3 H 8 O 3 as solvent, we synthesized nanospheres , nanowires and nanoribbons characterized with monodispersity, high purity and crystallinity. The growth mechanism of the 0-2D nanostructure was discussed. It is found that the Bi source, concentration and solvent significantly influences the morphology and size. Single crystal free-standing nanoribbon has large magnetoresistance up to 540% at 100 K. This novel approach can be applied in synthesis of nanostructured Bi single crystals and the large-scale fabrication of some other nanostructured semimetals.