A new method for the size- and shape-controlled synthesis of lead nanostructures

Lead(0) nano-/microcrystals with multiform crystal morphologies (separated nanoparticles, elongated nanoparticles, aggregated nanoparticles, polyhedral microcrystals and plate-like whiskers) were successfully synthesized by a facile and effective solution-phase method using lithium or sodium tert-butoxide-activated hydride as reducing and stabilizing agents. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the samples. The experimental results indicated that the weaker t-BuOLi ligand was the more efficient for the growth/nucleation of spherical nanoparticles initially formed into larger particles. The possible mechanisms of Pb(0) microcrystals formation during ligand removal are presented. Additionally, we have investigated the magnetic properties and found that the nanoparticles exhibit a superconducting transition at 7.1 ± 0.1 K in agreement with the transition temperature measured in bulk Pb.