Synthesis and characterization of PbSe quantum wires, multipods, quantum rods,and cubes

Free-standing PbSe nanocrystals, including quantum wires, multipods, quantum rods, quantum dots, and cubes, were produced in a colloidal solution in the presence of alkyl-diamine solvent at 10-117 degreesC. The morphology of the nanocrystals was governed by a solvent coordinating molecular template mechanism, which was further adjusted by the temperature and duration of the reaction. Crystalline wires with diameters of approximately 20 nm and lengths of 1-5 mum were formed at the lowest temperatures, while quantum rods (with an aspect ratio of similar to5) and cubes (with 100-500 nm edge) were formed at elevated temperatures.