Solution Synthesis of NdTe₃ Magnetic Nanosheets

Neodymium tritelluride is a layered van der Waals material, with correlated electronic properties including high electronic mobility, charge density waves, and antiferromagnetism. We developed a solution synthesis method to form free-standing nanosheets of NdTe₃, with nanosheet lateral dimensions of 200-400 nm. The morphology of the nanosheet was influenced by the neodymium precursor. When Nd[(N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ was used as the metal source the nanosheet thickness average was 12 ± 2.5 nm, alternatively the combination of NdCl₃ and Li(N(SiMe₃)₂) led to thicker nanosheets, approximately 19 ± 2.4 nm. We believe that the difference in thickness and changes in surface chemistry point to the role of chloride in accelerating nanocrystal growth for the synthesis with NdCl₃ (and Li(N(SiMe₃)₂). Both types of nanosheets exhibit charge density wave (CDW) distortions as measured using electron diffraction and investigated using variable temperature Raman scattering. Interestingly, the magnetic studies suggest a distinct change in properties between 12 and 19 nm thickness in antiferromagnetic NdTe₃.