From Cd(OH)2 nanoflakes to CdSe nanochains: Synthesis and characterization

A facile sacrificial template route was introduced to prepare close CdSe nanochains by the hydrothermal method using Cd(OH)2 as a sacrificial template and precursor. Cd(OH)2 nanoflakes were synthesized by an alkali salt mineralizing hydrothermal process at 200 °C for 20 h, which was the key step in preparing the CdSe nanostructures. Subsequently, the as-prepared Cd(OH)2 nanoflakes were converted into CdSe nanochains in Na2SeSO3 solution by hydrothermal process under through time and temperature control. The as-prepared products were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM and SAED. A possible explanation of the growth mechanism has been proposed. Initially, CdSe nanoparticles are presumed to nucleate on the surface of the sacrificial template of a Cd(OH)2 nanoflake. These particles further grow and assemble into 1-D close or open CdSe nanochains on top of Cd(OH)2 nanoflake skeleton through the Ostwald ripening process. This method is suggested as applicable to synthesizing other chalcogenide nanostructures as well.