Structural Control Parameters for Formation of Single-Crystalline β‑Sn Nanorods in Organic Phase

For the first time, investigation on the effect of lowering the synthesis temperature below room temperature (10 to −10 °C) and increasing the viscosity of the reaction solution at certain temperatures has been used to trigger the formation of single-crystalline β-Sn nanorods (NRs) in a chemical synthesis using an organic solvent. These two parameters govern the energy of the particles in the solution, thereby mediating the selective attachment to the nuclei and the preferential growth of Sn along the c-axis. The length and aspect ratio of the NRs were inversely proportional to the synthesis temperature and directly proportional to the viscosity of the reaction solution. In addition, we found that poly­(vinylpyrrolidone) with a high molecular weight aided the formation of longer and higher aspect ratio NRs via the bridge flocculation effect.