Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes of N-methyl-N-phenyl dithiocarbamate as single-source precursors for the synthesis of metal sulfide nanoparticles

Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes of N-methyl-N-phenyl dithiocarbamate have been used as single source precursors to synthesize hexadecylamine capped ZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles and their structural and optical properties determined. The optical spectra of the prepared nanoparticles show a blue shift which is a characteristic of particles in their nanometric domain. The sizes of the prepared nanoparticles were estimated as 4.7, 6.2 and 18.0 nm for the ZnS, CdS, and HgS samples respectively.

Graphical abstractZnS, CdS and HgS nanoparticles were synthesized from N-methyl-N-phenyl dithiocarbamate complexes. The optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles show quantum confinement effect which is a characteristic of particles in the nanometric domain and their sizes were estimated.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Metal sulphides nanoparticles were synthesized from dithiocarbamates complexes. ► The optical properties of the nanoparticles show quantum confinement effect. ► The sizes of the nanoparticles are 3.5, 5.0 and 18 nm for the ZnS, CdS and HgS.