Rapid phosphine-free growth of diverse CdSe multipods via microwave irradiation route

Diverse multipod-shaped CdSe nanocrystals with a high yield and good crystallinity were synthesized via microwave irradiation route, which only needed a period of 10 min. Cd(NO3)2 and selenium powders were used as raw materials in the preparation, which were safer and greener relative to the commonly used trioctylphosphine-based precursors for synthesizing CdSe tetrapods. By selectively introducing organic additives into the system, the morphology of CdSe nanocrystals could vary from tetrapods to hexapods, octapods, and more complex multipods. The possible growth mechanisms of the multipods were discussed based on the investigations on the structure and shape of intermediates. The present microwave irradiation route should provide an alternative to the rapid and controllable growth of other important selenides with distinct morphologies.