Facile synthesis of organically capped PbS nanoparticles

PbS nanocubes and nanorods were successfully synthesized through a facile route using hexadecylamine (HDA) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as surfactants. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared PbS nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM. The morphology of the PbS was influenced by the variation in lead source and organic surfactant. Particles in the shape of spheres, perfect cubes and rods were obtained by variation in reaction conditions. A possible growth mechanism to explain the formation of these PbS nanocubes and nanorods is also discussed.

► Hexadecylamine and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide capped PbS nanoparticles have been synthesized.
► By varying the reaction conditions various morphologies were formed.
► The formation of the anisotropic particles is due to different growth mechanisms.