Electron beam induced synthesis of CdSe nanomaterials: Tuning of shapes from rods to cubes

► Electron-beam induced CdSe in CTAB microemulsions exhibits different shapes. ► Rod shaped CdSe was formed in CTAB microemulsions of lower w0 values. ► Cubic shaped CdSe was formed in CTAB microemulsions of higher w0 values. ► As-grown CdSe nanomaterials were found to be fairly stable in ambient conditions.