In this work, the solvent coordination molecular template effect of EN has been discussed in detail based on the microscopy analysis of the as synthesized ZnS nanostructures. As the EN concentration increases, the ZnS products evolve from symmetric NPs, 3D TPs to 1D NBs, accompanied with the microstructure transition from isotropic ZB to anisotropic WZ. The role of EN is significant in aspects of both the reaction rate control and the anisotropic growth activation due to the coordination effect between its amino groups and Zn atoms. Moreover, this modulation effect has been proved to be general for other short carbon-chain amine agents by the contrast experiments. The designed organic amine modulated solvothermal strategy could be utilized for controlled synthesis of other cubichexagonal combined II–VI nanostructures.

ZnS nanomaterials at different dimensions, from nanoparticles, nanobelts to nanotetrapods have been synthesized in the same solvothermal system, which is kinetically controlled by ethylenediamine. Microscopy analysis reveals that the four arms of tetrapod are grownfromZn-terminated surfaces of an octahedral core by alternately stacking zinc blende and wurtzite structures along [111]/[0001] direction, while the ZnS nanobelts are selfassembled along [0001] direction by ultra-small wurtzite nanocrystals. These nanobelts can be transformed into their single-crystal counterparts and ZnO/ZnS heterostructures by thermal treatment. Uv–visible analysis demonstrates that the heterostructure presents a strain-induced staggered Type-II band structure. These investigation results suggest an efficient approach for phase-controlled synthesis of nanostructures in group II–VI semiconductors.

TbMnO3 thin films with different crystallographic orientations were deposited epitaxially on LaAlO3 [100] and SrTiO3 [100] single crystal substrates by using pulsed laser deposition. Magnetization measurements were performed along the [110], [_110], and [001] directions of the films. Obvious magnetic anisotropy and low temperature ferromagnetism were found. Transitions at T_10, 32, 120, and 125K along different directions are observed. The susceptibility anomalies, remarkably anisotropic, are discussed on the frame of the domain wall and strain-induced distortion. Particularly, the lattice mismatch and the anisotropic thermal expansion between the films and substrates are likely responsible for the distortion behaviors.