The synthesis of [(Bi2Te3)x{(TiTe2)y}1.36] superlattices from modulated elemental reactants

A solid-state growth technique is described for the preparation of misfit layered compounds [(Bi2Te3)(x){(TiTe2)(y)}(1.36)] from preconfigured reactants that provide independent control of both x and y. A procedure for optimizing the structure of the preconfigured amorphous reactants is presented demonstrating the importance of controlling both the composition and the absolute thicknesses of the component layers. Data are presented highlighting the effect of the diffusion distances of the preconfigured reactants on the kinetics of product formation.