Synthesis of Se Nanostructures in a Binary Soft-Template System

The Se nanostructures were prepared by reducing selenious acid (H2SeO3) with hydrazine (N2H4•H2O) and ascorbic acid (Vc) in a binary soft-template system of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). TEM images showed that the products are Se nanospheres and nanobelts with regular morphology and controlled size. The SDS-PVP necklace-like clusters acted as dual soft-template and induced an unique template-induced secondary assembly. The systems have a fine control over the size and morphology of Se nanospheres and nanobelts by adjusting the composition of SDS-PVP necklace-like clusters and the concentration of selenious acid or reducing agent.