Anhui Key Laboratory of Functional Molecular Solids, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China

Novel CdClOH sub-nanocone crystals were successfully synthesized on a large scale by a facile solution-based method using polymers as crystal growth modifiers. The crystals showed cone-like morphology. Some factors affecting the morphology and size of the product, such as reaction temperature, concentrations of polyacrylamide (PAM), and pH value of the solution, were systematically studied. Experiments implied that polymer PAM played a key role in the formation of CdClOH sub-nanocones. A possible formation mechanism of CdClOH sub-nanocones was suggested based on nucleation-etching process-recrystallization in a mild aqueous solution. Furthermore, the as-prepared CdClOH sub-nanocones could be further transformed into CdS hollow sub-nanocones by an anion- exchange reaction.