Effect of the organic solvent on the formation and stabilization of US and PbS nanoclusters

Nanoclusters of US and PbS were prepared using two different organic solvents as stabilizers in order to understand the factors affecting their formation and stabilization. Growth of the nanoclusters was monitored by optical absorption spectroscopy at regular intervals of time. Mean cluster size was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface structure of nanoclusters was analyzed using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Spectroscopic studies under identical experimental conditions reveal interesting correlations between the stability of the nanoclusters formed, the nature of the solvent and the size of metal ion involved, leading to a better understanding of nanocluster formation. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.