Synthesis of star-shaped PbS nanocrystals using single-source precursor

Star-shaped PbS nanostructures were prepared by simple hydrothermal process of [bis(thiosemicarbazide)lead(II)], [Pb(TSC)(2)]Cl(2) (TSC = thiosemicarbazide), at 150 degrees C, without any additive. Effect of reaction time on the morphology of the products was investigated. Also PbS nanoparticles was synthesized by thermal decomposition of precursor in the presence of oleylamine and triphenylphosphine as surfactant. In this process, oleylamine was used as both the medium and the stabilizing reagent. Also the novel precursor thermally was treated in solid state reaction in different temperatures, 400, and 500 degrees C for 5 h. Products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The band gap energy of star-shaped PbS nanostructures has been estimated to be 3.19 eV which shows a large increment compared with that of bulk PbS. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.