Multi-dimensional complex nanocrystal structures and methods of making same

Abstract

A method of synthesizing nanostructures. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating a reaction mixture at an elevated temperature, T, for a period of time effective to allow the growth of desired nanostructures. The reaction mixture contains an amount, P, of a carboxylate salt and an amount, L, of a fatty acid ligand, defining a molar ratio of the fatty acid ligand to the carboxylate salt, α=L/P, and a hydrocarbon solvent. The reaction mixture is characterizable with a critical ligand protection, μ, associating with the chemical structure of the carboxylate salt such that when α<μ, the reaction mixture is in a limited ligand protection (LLP) domain, and when α>μ, the reaction mixture is in a sufficient ligand protection (SLP) domain. The nanostructures are formed in the form of single crystalline and nearly monodisperse nanocrystals, which are in the form of dot-shaped nanocrystals, when the reaction mixture is in the SLP domain, and in the form of nanoflowers, when the reaction mixture is in the LLP domain, respectively.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.