Template Mediated Formation of Colloidal Two-Dimensional Tin Telluride Nanosheets and the Role of the Ligands

TL;DR

This paper presents a colloidal synthesis method for 2D SnTe nanosheets, highlighting the formation mechanism involving Sn-templates and ligand roles, enabling control over size and shape.

Contribution

It introduces a novel synthesis route for 2D SnTe nanosheets and elucidates the ligand-mediated growth mechanism and morphology control.

Findings

Formation of Sn-templates defines 2D growth

Ligand interactions influence size and shape

First evidence of pre-injection 2D morphology

Abstract

We report the colloidal synthesis of 2D SnTe nanosheets through precursor hot-injection in a nonpolar solvent. During the reaction, an important intermediate - Sn-template - is formed which defines the confined growth of SnTe. This "flake-like" structure gives the first evidence for the possible 2D morphology formation prior to the anion precursor injection (TOP-Te). Additionally, we explore the role of each ligand in the reaction process. Thus, we explain the formation and morphology evolution of 2D SnTe nanostructures from a mechanism perspective as well as the role of each ligand on the molecular scale. The interplay of ligands provides the necessary conditions for the realization of stable low-dimensional SnTe nanomaterials with tunable size and shape.