Size control of 1D Sb2Se3 nanorods prepared by a facile mixed solvothermal method with tartaric acid assistance

Abstract

Sb₂Se₃ can readily form long, 1D rod-shaped structures due to the intrinsic properties of orthorhombic Sb₂Se₃ crystals. Herein, short, 1D rod-shaped Sb₂Se₃ was synthesized by a facile mixed solvothermal method with tartaric acid (TA) assistance, and the synthetic mechanism is illustrated. Different sizes of 1D Sb₂Se₃ nanorods could be achieved by controlling the reaction temperature and using THF as a solvent to increase the reaction pressure. The formation of long, 1D rod-shaped Sb₂Se₃ when sodium tartrate was added instead of tartaric acid was explained by the coordination and dissociation equilibrium of antimony potassium tartrate. The effect of different amounts of TA on Sb₂Se₃ morphology was interpreted based on the precipitation–dissolution equilibrium of Sb₂Se₃. This study provides an effective method to control the sizes of Sb₂Se₃ nanorods.