Nanocubes of PbS with visible luminescence synthesized by sulfonated polymer as stabilizer and modifier at room-temperature

Well-defined PbS nanocubes have been synthesized at room temperature by a mild solution-based simple method in the presence of sulfonated polymer as both stabilizer and crystal growth modifier. The simple method avoids high temperature which is required in the preparation of cubic-shaped PbS nanocrystals by hydrothermal reaction. A growth mechanism of the PbS nanocubes in the mild solution was discussed. The as-prepared samples exhibit intense visible emission and weaker near-infrared emission. The samples can be readily dissolved by organic solvents to form stable colloids for further processing, assembly or applications.