Formation of uniformly sized metal oxide nanocuboids in the presence of precursor grains in an apolar medium†
Abstract
Uniformly sized Mn3O4 nanocuboids were produced in the presence of tiny round grains ~3 nm in diameter covered with oleic acid in toluene. The formation of rectangular nanocrystals surrounded with {100} and (001) faces is attributable to the oriented attachment of precursor grains in an apolar medium in which the metal and hydroxide ions are insoluble.