Single source precursor route to nanometric tin chalcogenides

Low-temperature solution phase synthesis of nanomaterials using designed molecular precursors enjoys tremendous advantages over traditional high-temperature solid-state synthesis. These include atomic-level control over stoichiometry, homogeneous elemental dispersion and uniformly distributed nanoparticles. For exploiting these advantages, however, rationally designed molecular complexes having certain properties are usually required. We report here the synthesis and complete characterization of new molecular precursors containing direct Sn-E bonds (E = S or Se), which undergo facile decomposition under different conditions (solid/solution phase, thermal/microwave heating, single/mixed solvents, varying temperatures, etc.) to afford phase-pure or mixed-phase tin chalcogenide nanoflakes with defined ratios.

Automated summary

Low-temperature solution phase synthesis of nanomaterials using designed molecular precursors has advantages over traditional high-temperature solid-state synthesis, but requires molecular complexes with specific properties. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of new molecular precursors containing direct Sn-E bonds, which can decompose easily under various conditions to produce phase-pure or mixed-phase tin chalcogenide nanoflakes.