Structural, optical and electrical properties of solvothermally synthesized PbTe nanodisks

The present study investigates the properties of mechanically compacted pellets of nanosized lead telluride powders synthesized by using ethylene glycol as solvent and PVP as surfactant. XRD analysis indicates the formation of PbTe nanocrystals which exhibit both cubic and orthorhombic phases. Morphological study reveals that the prepared PbTe nanocrystals have disk-like shape. Electrical analysis reveals that the electrical conductivity of PbTe nanocrystals can be enhanced by the formation of nanodisks. Optical absorption and PL results show a large blue-shift which implies that the prepared PbTe nanodisks show strong quantum confinement effect. The possible formation mechanism of the PbTe nanodisks was also discussed.

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► PbTe nanodisks are prepared at low temperature under atmospheric pressure.
► The synthetic method is very simple, economical and environment benign.
► The nanodisks can be obtained within a short time and the yield is high.
► Electrical conductivity of PbTe nanocrystals enhanced by the formation of nanodisks.
► Significant blue shift is observed from absorption and Photoluminescence analysis.