Using ligands to control reactivity, size and phase in the colloidal synthesis of WSe2 nanocrystals

Abstract

Colloidal chemistry is leveraged for size- and phase-tuning of transition metal dichalcogenide nanomaterials. Specifically, nucleation and growth of colloidal WSe₂ nanocrystals are controlled via mixtures of oleic acid (OA) and trioctylphosphine oxide. Increased OA yields slower nucleation, larger nanocrystals and a shift from the 2H to 1T′ phase.