Comparative Studies for the Fabrication of WTe₂ Nanoribbons in the Tellurization Process

Tungsten ditelluride is a layered semimetal with higher-order topological insulator properties and robust one-dimensional (1D) states along certain crystallographic axes, making it promising for future spintronic applications. While bulk and exfoliated materials have been extensively studied, WTe₂ nanoribbons and nanowires offer advantages for probing edge-state physics due to their enhanced surface-to-volume ratio and confined geometry. However, existing growth approaches for producing WTe₂ nanostructures struggle to yield materials of sufficient quality. In this work, we investigate the growth and charge transport characteristics of WTe₂ nanoribbons (NRs) synthesized through the tellurization of WO₃ nanoribbons, comparing how different precursor compositions, WO₃ with and without a NaCl:Te additive, alter the resulting material properties. The tellurization of the ribbons obtained using a NaCl:Te additive allows the production of highly crystalline WTe₂. Charge transport measurements for individual WTe₂ nanoribbon four-terminal devices indicate that surface capping is essential to prevent rapid oxidation. This study establishes a pathway for the fabrication of freestanding WTe₂ nanoribbons of different geometrical parameters via the tellurization process.