Oriented self-assembly of PbS nanocrystals into 0D+1D ‘matchstick’ structures

• PbS is obtained in a simple way by the co-precipitation method at room temperature.
• Structural and morphological properties of PbS were studied by XRD and TEM.
• 0D+0D and 0D+1D PbS structures assemble by oriented attachment.
• The self-assembly mechanism was explained in detail.

We present a facile method to prepare a variety of Lead sulfide (PbS) anisotropic nanostructures, using aqueous solutions of Pb(NO3)2 and NaHS as precursors at room temperature. PbS nanostructures such as matchstick-, V- and rectangular-shaped were developed by an oriented attachment process, involving both spherical and cubic PbS nanoparticles, which were formed during the synthesis process. The nanostructures and oriented assembly were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy. X-ray diffraction confirmed that PbS nanostructures were crystallized into the rock-salt structure. A brief description of the oriented self-assembly mechanism is provided too.