Size, Shape, and Phase Control in Ultrathin CdSe Nanosheets

Ultrathin two-dimensional nanosheets raise a rapidly increasing interest due to their unique dimensionality-dependent properties. Most of the two-dimensional materials are obtained by exfoliation of layered bulk materials or are grown on substrates by vapor deposition methods. To produce free-standing nanosheets, solution-based colloidal methods are emerging as promising routes. In this work, we demonstrate ultrathin CdSe nanosheets with controllable size, shape, and phase. The key of our approach is the use of halogenated alkanes as additives in a hot-injection synthesis. Increasing concentrations of bromoalkanes can tune the shape from sexangular to quadrangular to triangular and the phase from zinc blende to wurtzite. Geometry and crystal structure evolution of the nanosheets take place in the presence of halide ions, acting as cadmium complexing agents and as surface X-type ligands, according to mass spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. Our experimental findings show that the degree of these changes depends on the molecular structure of the halogen alkanes and the type of halogen atom.