Synthesis and characterization of PbS nanowires doped with Tb3+ ions by using chemical bath deposition method

Crystalline lead sulfide (PbS) nanowires doped with terbium (Tb3+) ions were synthesized by the chemical bath deposition method at room temperature. The powder was obtained from an aqueous solutions using lead acetate dehydrate, terbium nitrate, thiourea, potassium hydroxide and ammonia. The terbium molar concentrations were varied in the deposition process to investigate the effect on the structural, optical, morphological and luminescent properties of PbS nanowires. The crystalline size was found to be dependent on the concentration of the Tb3+ ions used. The estimated average crystalline sizes were calculated from the X-ray diffraction and found to be 34, 33 and 37 nm for PbS: 0% Tb3+, PbS: 0.2% Tb3+ and PbS: 0.5% Tb3+, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy micrographs depict nanowire shape for the undoped as well as Tb-doped samples. The energy-dispersive X-ray and Auger electron spectroscopy analyses confirmed the presence of all the expected elements. The solid powder nanowires exhibited high absorptions in the UV-Vis regions. The band gap energies were estimated in the range of 1.99-2.46 eV. The absorption edge and the band gap energies of these PbS nanowires have shifted depending on the concentration of the dopant. The maximum luminescence intensity was obtained for PbS: 0.2% Tb3+ ions and luminescent quenching was observed for higher terbium concentrations. Graphic abstract