One-pot synthesis and shape control of metal selenides, sulfides and oxides with oxalic acid as the reducing reagent

One specific method is often limited within the synthesis of one specific material like metal chalcogenides, the hot topics in nanomaterials since decades ago, which raises the cost of production if manufactured in industry. Here 23 compounds, including individual components and composites, have been synthesized through the same hydrothermal method with oxalic acid as the reducing reagent. What is more, shape-/composition-controlled synthesis of CdSe, vanadium oxides, and nickel sulfides have also been realized by simply controlling the amount of oxalic acid used in each synthesis. The method developed here is inspiring for the synthesis of other nanomaterials and the shape-/composition-controlled synthesis provides a simple strategy for the surfactant-free shape engineering of nanomaterials and enriches the knowledge about crystal growth.