Schiff-base assisted synthesis of lead selenide nanostructures

In this work, nanostructured PbSe materials have been prepared via a solvothermal method at 180 °C with the aid of new lead precursors like Schiff-base compounds; Pb(salpn) and Pb(salophen). Besides lead complexes as lead precursor, SeCl4, and N2H4·H2O as starting materials and propylene glycol as solvent were applied. On the other hand, the effect of preparation factors such as type of reducing and capping agent on the morphology of PbSe nanostructures was investigated. The as-prepared PbSe nanostructures were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and FT-IR. The SEM micrographs of the products indicated that PbSe nanostructures with lower particle size were obtained after solvothermal treatment for 3 h at 180 °C in the presence of hydrazine hydrate as reducing agent. The as-obtained results indicated that pure and homogeneous PbSe nanostructures have been form by using Pb(salpn) as precursor.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► PbSe nanostructures were synthesized by using Schiff-base compounds as precursor. ► The Schiff-base compounds were derived from salicylaldehyde. ► The effect of reducing agents on the morphology of the products was investigated. ► PbSe nanostructures were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and FT-IR.