Pb((SePiPr2)2N(S2CNEt2) complex to lead chalcogenide nanoparticles: A pyrolysis approach
Nathaniel Owusu Boadi, Selina Ama Saah, Michael Baah Mensah, Johannes A. M. Awudza
Abstract
This study investigated the use of a mixed ligand complex [Pb((SePiPr2)2N(S2CNEt2)] as a single-source precursor for synthesizing lead chalcogenide nanoparticles through pyrolysis. The complex was decomposed under nitrogen gas at 600 °C for 30 minutes, and the residue was dispersed in toluene. Surprisingly, the resulting nanoparticles exhibited a cubic PbSe crystal structure based on their P-XRD pattern rather than the expected ternary alloy of PbSxSe1-x. SEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles grew in clusters of cubes with an average size of 119 nm. EDX also confirmed the formation of binary PbSe nanoparticles rather than a ternary PbSxSe1-x alloy. The pyrolysis route found to be highly promising for the synthesis of pure lead chalcogenide nanoparticles.
