Structural and spectroscopic characterization of step-like HgS nanostructures in the presence of 2-(benzylidene amino) benzenethiol as the newest sulfuring precursors

Step-like HgS nanostructures have been synthesized without surfactant and organic solvents by a wet chemical route. Four sets of HgS nanostructures have been synthesized at 140, 160, 180 and 200 °C for various reaction durations (8, 12 and 24 h), different precursor concentrations and different solvents by using Hg(Br)2 and 2-(benzylidene amino) benzenethiol as starting reagents. Application of a new thio Schiff-base as complexing and sulfuring agent was novelty of this work for synthesizing of HgS nanostructures. Analyses were employed to characterizing HgS with different shapes and sizes. The results of this paper indicated that the shape and size of mercury sulfide nanocrystals can systematically be controlled by setting certain reaction parameters, such as type of solvent, temperature, precursor concentration and reaction time.