Use of ionic liquids in synthesis of nanocrystals, nanorods and nanowires of elemental chalcogens

Nanocrystals of elemental chalcogens have been synthesized solvothermally by using elemental chalcogen powder (Se and Te) and NaBH4 in imidazolium[BMIM]-based ionic liquids as solvents at 180–200°C. Nanorods and nanowires of Se and Te have been obtained when polyethyleneglycol was used as a co-solvent. Se nanowires have been prepared by using an ionic liquid with a small amount of water at room temperature. Sulfur microspheres have been prepared by heating sulfur powder in a mixture of [BMIM][BF4] and polyethyleneglycol over the temperature range 150–250°C. The nanostructures obtained are single crystalline in all the cases.