The facile synthesis of PbS cubes and Bi2S3 nanoflowers from molecular precursors at room temperature

PbS and Bi2S3 nanocrystals with well-controlled sizes and shapes were easily produced from molecular precursors (xanthate) in ethylene diamine (en) solution at room temperature. When lead or bismuth ethylxanthate were added into en solution, the precipitates were instantly formed, and subsequently, PbS cubes and flower-like Bi2S3 hierarchical structures were obtained if the mixtures were left still for 5 days under ambient conditions. This work not only provides a facile route to synthesize chalcogenides with well-defined nano- and microstructures in a solution-phase system, but also gives insight into understanding on decomposition behavior of molecular precursors in various solvents.

► Pb and Bi xanthates as precursors.
► Xanthates decomposed to generate sulfides at room temperature in en solution.
► Cubic PbS and flower-like Bi2S3 with well-defined nanostructures are synthesized.