Axial-Junction Nanowires of Ag2Te−Ag As a Memory Element

Silver telluride nanowires incorporating silver were prepared by green chemical method in aqueous solution. First, Ag 2 TeO 3 was prepared from aqueous solutions of sodium tellurite (Na 2 TeO 3 ) and silver nitrate (AgNO 3 ). At room temperature in basic solution, α- d -glucose reduces Ag 2 TeO 3 to generate silver nanocrystals, whereas solvothermal reaction of Ag 2 TeO 3 with α- d -glucose at 165 °C generates Te, Ag, or Ag 2 Te−Ag axial hetrojunction nanowires depending upon the pH of the reaction mixture. These heterojunction nanowires, which exhibit electrical bistability at low voltage, can be used as data storage devices.