Synthesis and shape evolution of bismuth selenide hollow nanospheres

Uniform bismuth selenide hollow nanospheres were synthesized on a large scale in a mixed solvent of ethylene glycol (EG) and oleic acid (OA). The diameter of the Bi2Se3 hollow nanospheres is about 600 nm and the thickness of the shell is about 40 nm. The shape evolution of Bi2Se3 nanostructures with different volume ratios of EG and OA was also observed: nanoflakes in EG solution, hollow nanospheres as VEG/VOA of 2/3, and finally flower-like nanostructures in OA solution.