A robust method for the synthesis of colloidal PbS nanosheets. Issue 11 (10th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Premathilaka, Shashini M.; Jiang, Zhoufeng; Antu, Antara; Leffler, Joey; Hu, Jianjun; Roy, Ajit; Sun, Liangfeng
• Is Part Of: Physica status solidi. Volume 10:Issue 11(2016)
• Page Start: 838
• Page End: 842
• Publication Date: 2016-10-10
• Subjects: lead sulphide -- nanosheets -- acetic acid -- robust synthesis; Solid state physics -- Periodicals; 530.4105
• DOI: 10.1002/pssr.201600294
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1862-6254

Abstract

Abstract : In the synthesis of colloidal PbS nanosheets, acetic acid – either injected externally or produced during the reaction – has a significant effect on the growth of the nanosheets. When the acetic acid to lead molar ratio is above 1:8, no nanosheets are observed in the product. By replacing lead acetate with lead oxide to prepare the lead precursor for the reaction, the effect of acetic acid is avoided, resulting in a robust synthesis with nearly 100% success rate. In the new synthesis, the purity of trioctylphosphine (the co‐solvent for sulfur precursor) has no significant effect on the formation of nanosheets. Thickness tunability is achieved in the acetate‐free synthesis by tuning the reaction temperature. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Abstract : In the new acetic‐acid‐free synthesis, pure colloidal PbS nanosheets can be created with nearly 100% success rate (left image), while the presence of a small amount of acetic acid turns the nanosheets into irregular clusters (right image). Electron diffraction patterns confirm the single‐crystallinity of the nanosheets and polycrystallinity of the clusters.