Organic ligand assisted low temperature synthesis of lead sulfide nanocubes and its optical properties

Highly monodispersed lead sulfide (PbS) nanocubes have been synthesized by simple wet chemical route. Bi-dentate ligand ethylenediamine is effectively acted as a surface passivating agent to obtain monodispersed size and morphology. Size of the synthesized PbS nanocubes is on the order of 10–15 nm which is less than that of excitonic Bohr radius of the bulk PbS. Significant blue shift is observed from UV visible absorption spectrum due to the quantum confinement effect. PbS nanocubes exhibit the band edge luminescence in the visible region. FTIR and EDAX analyses are used to identify the presence of organic molecules and elements in the synthesized PbS nanocubes.

► Low temperature synthesis of highly monodispersed lead sulfide (PbS) nanocubes. ► Ethylenediamine played a determinative role in the formation of PbS nanocubes. ► PbS nanocubes exhibit significant “blue shift” in the optical transition.