Template-assisted synthesis of shape-controlled Rh2P nanocrystals

When reacted with trioctylphosphine at approximately 360 degrees C, rhodium nanocrystals convert to rhodium phosphide Rh(2)P nanocrystals. Careful control over synthetic variables, such as temperature, stabilizing ligands, and cosolvents, can result in Rh(2)P nanocrystals with shapes that reflect the Rh nanocrystal templates. Accordingly, Rh nanocrystals with multipod, cube- and triangle-derived shapes convert to Rh(2)P nanocrystals that maintain the shape of their Rh precursors. Both dense and hollow Rh(2)P nanocrystals can be generated using a single unified chemical conversion strategy. These empirical guidelines for generating a morphologically diverse library of Rh(2)P nanocrystals provide important insights into shape conservation using nanocrystal templates and will likely be portable to other multielement systems for which rigorous shape-controlled synthesis remains challenging.