Facile solvothermal preparation and photoluminescence properties of PbS, PbSe nanocrystals and PbS/PbSe alloyed heterostructures on lead substrates

• Well-crystallized PbS, PbSe and PbS/PbSe have been synthesized on lead substrates.
• PbS/PbSe alloy was synthesized via a one-stage hydrothermal method.
• The lead foil acts not only as the carrier of products, but as a source of lead.
• The influence of the surfactant of polyvinylpyrrolidone was clearly shown.
• The PL spectrum showed that the products possessed blue light emission properties.

The semiconductor PbS polyhedral nanoparticle, synapticula-like PbSe nanorods and PbS/PbSe nanocomposites have been achieved on lead substrates via a one-pot solution method. The lead foil acts not only as the carrier of products, but also as a source of lead. The surfactant of polyvinylpyrrolidone played a crucial role to achieve well-dispersed and uniform products. The EDS analysis and elemental mappings confirmed that all of the elements (S, Se and Pb) were homogeneously distributed throughout the compound samples, and the two components are doped with each other, formed alloyed-type heterostructures. The photoluminescence measurement showed that the three kinds of products possessed unitary blue light emission properties, and the emission peak intensity of PbSe could be improved by doping PbS.

A facile hydrothermal method for the synthesis of uniform synapticula-like PbSe with the assistance of PVP.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide