Abstract
The electrosynthesis of nanoparticle thin films of 
from solutions of 
in ethylene glycol at 
, is described. The as‐deposited 
thin films 
were X‐ray amorphous and exhibited featureless optical absorption spectra over the 
spectral range. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed the presence of single or double (0002) plane‐sized 
thin nanoplatelets 
embedded in an amorphous matrix. Annealing the as‐deposited samples under 
for 
at 
, resolved a broad and weak‐intensity peak in the respective X‐ray spectra, identified as the (0002) Bragg peak of the bulk 
polytype, as well as some spectral features in the optical absorption spectra. HRTEM images disclose generation of a variety of nanostructures, consisting of 
(0002) planes stacks (some bent) together with few polyhedral nanostructures with triangular or rectangular projections. An appraisal of the factors influencing the reaction mechanism of the various 
nanostructures formation is proposed. ©1999 The Electrochemical Society