Hydrothermal synthesis of cuboidal PbSe microcrystals via an EDTA reduction route

Cuboidal lead selenide (PbSe) microcrystals have been successfully synthesized via a novel EDTA reduction route in which EDTA molecules serve as both chelating reagent and reductant. Hereafter EDTA is the abbreviation for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt dihydrate (C10H12N2Na4O8·2H2O). The unique cuboidal PbSe microcrystals have eight symmetric arms along the < 111> directions. The edge of a cuboidal PbSe microcrystal extends outwards from its core with a tiny cubic center leaving step-like faces. The whole synthetic system provides an appropriate crystal growth environment for the formation of these microcrystals. Furthermore cuboidal PbSe microcrystals with different concave faces can be obtained at different reaction stages.