Synthesis of iron selenide nanocrystals and thin films from bis(tetraisopropyldiselenoimidodiphosphinato)iron( ii ) and bis(tetraphenyldiselenoimidodiphosphinato)iron( ii ) complexes

Iron selenide nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesised by the thermolysis of single molecular precursors, bis(tetraisopropyldiselenoimidodiphosphinato)iron(II) (3) and bis(tetraphenyldiselenoimidodiphosphinato)iron(II) (4) in oleylamine and hexadecylamine at different growth temperatures. TEM images of the NCs showed the rod and plate-like crystallites. Both complexes were also used for the deposition of thin films by Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD) onto silicon substrates. SEM images of thin films deposited from complex (3) and (4) showed significantly different morphologies under similar conditions. X-ray single crystal structures of complexes [Fe{(SePPh2)2N}2] (4) and [(SePPh2)2N)–O–(SePPh2)2N)] (5) were also determined.