Room temperature chemical synthesis of highly oriented PbSe nanotubes based on negative free energy of formation

► Simple, inexpensive and room temperature chemical synthesis route. ► Highly oriented PbSe nanotubes from Cd(OH)2 nanowires through lead hydroxination. ► The process was template free without the use of any capping agent. ► Reaction kinetics was accomplished due to more negative free energy of formation. ► The ion exchange mechanism due to difference in the solubility products.