Preparation of ternary metal chalcogenide (M1-xFexS, M = Cd and Zn) nanocrystallites using single source precursors

M1−xFexS (M = Cd, Zn) nanocrystallites were prepared by pyrolysis and solvothermal decomposition methods using [M(Aftscz)2] and [M(AftsczH)2Cl2] (M = Cd, Zn and AftsczH = monoacetylferrocene thiosemicarbazone) as single source precursors. The M1−xFexS nanocrystallites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis and UV–Visible spectroscopy. XRD patterns show that the Cd1−xFexS and Zn1−xFexS nanocrystallites prepared by pyrolysis and solvothermal decomposition routes have hexagonal phase. TEM images show presence of spherical and spherical plate-like morphology of M1−xFexS nanoparticles. M1−xFexS nanoparticles obtained by solvothermal decomposition in ethylene glycol are found to be capped with ethylene glycol as evident from IR spectra.

Graphical abstractM1−xFexS (M = Cd, Zn) nanocrystallites were prepared by pyrolysis and solvothermal decomposition methods using [M(Aftscz)2] and [M(AftsczH)2Cl2] (M = Cd, Zn and AftsczH = monoacetylferrocene thiosemicarbazone) as single source precursors. XRD shows that Cd1−xFexS and Zn1−xFexS nanocrystallites prepared by pyrolysis and solvothermal decomposition routes have hexagonal phase. TEM images show the presence of spherical and spherical plate-like morphologies.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Facile synthesis of metal chalcogenide, M1−xFexS (M = Cd, Zn) nanocrystallites. ► Use of single source precursors. ► Use of pyrolysis and solvothermal decomposition methods. ► Cd1−xFexS and Zn1−xFexS nanocrystallites have hexagonal phase.