Solution-phase synthesis of monodispersed SnTe nanocrystallites at room temperature

Monodispersed semiconducting SnTe nanocrystallites was successfully prepared via a solution synthesis route at room temperature. It was found that solvent (ethylenediamine), reductant (KBH4), and tin source (liquid SnCl4) were crucial factors in the preparation of the titled nanocrystals. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the product. Raman spectrum of the as-prepared sample had a red shift by five or six wavenumbers in comparison with that of the SnTe single crystals.