Synthesis of nanocrystalline lead chalcogenides PbE (E = S, Se, or Te) from alkaline aqueous solutions

Reaction of a sulfur, selenium, or tellurium alkaline aqueous solution and Pb(CH3COO)(2). 3H(2)O aqueous solution produces nanocrystalline lead chalco genides PbE (E = S, Se, or Te) with a cubic phase at low temperature under atmospheric pressure. The products are characterized through X-ray diffract ion (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The average particle size is in the range 20-3 5 nm. The XPS analysis indicates that the stability of the product surface in air decreases in the order PbS, PbSe, and PbTe. An advantage of this syn thesis method is that the PbE crystallizes well in the alkaline solution. T he mechanism for the formation of the lead chalcogenides is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.