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A Facile “Dispersion–Decomposition” Route to Metal Sulfide Nanocrystals
Author(s) -
Zhuang Zhongbin,
Lu Xiaotang,
Peng Qing,
Li Yadong
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201101145
Subject(s) - nanocrystal , sulfide , dispersion (optics) , materials science , metal , solvent , decomposition , phosphine , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , catalysis , chemistry , organic chemistry , metallurgy , optics , physics , engineering
In this paper, we demonstrate a simple and general “dispersion–decomposition” approach to the synthesis of metal sulfide nanocrystals with the assistance of alkylthiol. This is a direct heating process without precursor injection. By using inorganic metal salts and alkylthiol as the raw materials, high‐quality Ag 2 S, Cu 2 S, PbS, Ni 3 S 4 , CdS, and ZnS nanocrystals were successfully synthesized. The mechanism study shows that the reaction undergoes two steps. A key intermediate compound, metal thiolate, is generated first. It melts and disperses into the solvent at a relatively low temperature, and then it decomposes into metal sulfide as a single precursor upon heating. This method avoids using toxic phosphine agent and injection during the reaction process. The size and shape of the nanocrystal can be also controlled by the concentration of the reactant and ligands. Furthermore, the optical properties and assembly of the nanocrystals have also been studied. This report provides a facile, direct‐heating “dispersion–decomposition” approach to synthesize metal sulfides nanocrystals that has potential for future large‐scale synthesis.