Methods are provided for controlling the shape of antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) synthesized nanostructures. The method dissolves an antimony (III) salt in a first amount of carboxylic acid, forming an antimony precursor. In one aspect, antimony (III) chloride is dissolved in oleic acid. Separately, selenourea is dissolved in oleylamine, forming a selenium precursor. The antimony precursor is combined with the selenium precursor to form a first solution and cause a reaction. The reaction is quenched with a solvent having a low boiling point. In response to quenching the reaction in the first solution, antimony selenide nanorods are formed, having a length in the range of 150-200 nanometers (nm) and a diameter in the range of 20 to 30 nm. Related methods can be used to create, shorter nanorods, nanocrystals, and hollow nanospheres.