A new two-liquid-phase system to synthesize PbS nanoparticles with narrow size distribution

Abstract

A new liquid–liquid system, employing dimethyl sulfoxide and the mixture of oleyl amine and oleic acid as separate solvents, inorganic lead salt as lead source, and sulfide as sulfur source has been developed to synthesize PbS nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. The process can be conducted under mild conditions. The obtained PbS nanoparticles exhibit high crystallinity and uniformity. The initial Pb/S molar ratio of precursor has great effect on the particle size and optical properties of product. Larger proportion of sulfur precursor, which results in the larger particle size, is more likely to restraint crystal nucleation, rather than promote crystal growth.