Synthesis of mercuric iodide and bismuth tri‐iodide nanoparticles for heavy metal iodide films nucleation

Abstract

We synthesized mercuric iodide and bismuth tri-iodide nanoparticles by suspension in octadecene, from Hg(NO 3 ) 2 .H 2 O and I 2 , and from Bi(NO 3 ) 3 .5H 2 O and I 2 , respectively. The best synthesis conditions were 2 h at 70-80 °C, followed by 10 min at 110 °C for mercuric iodide nanoparticles, and 4 h at 80-110 °C, followed by 10 min at 180-210 °C for bismuth tri-iodide ones. Nanoparticles were then washed and centrifuged with ether repeatedly. Compounds identity was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). We found shifts of the X-ray diffraction maxima for nanoparticles of both compounds. We characterized the nanoparticles by transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. We obtained disk-like and squared mercuric iodide nanostructures, 80-140 nm and 100-125 nm in size respectively. We also obtained rounded and rod-like bismuth tri-iodide nanoparticles, 30-500 nm in size. Acetonitrile and isopropanol suspensions of mercuric iodide nanoparticles, and acetonitrile suspension of bismuth tri-iodide nanoparticles exhibited peak maxima shifts in their UV-Vis spectra. We synthesized for the first time mercuric iodide and bismuth tri-iodide nanoparticles by the suspension method, although we have not yet obtained uniform shape and size distributions. They offer interesting perspectives for crystalline film nucleation and for improving current applications of these materials, as well as for opening new ones.

Single Walled BiI3 Nanotubes Encapsulated within Carbon Nanotubes

“…A single layer BiI 3 is a sandwich-like structure with Bi 3+ ions establishing six-fold coordination with I − ions. The BiI 3 layers are held together through weak van der Waals forces, allowing BiI 3 crystals to be cleaved readily along the [00 l] direction 17 – 19 . A schematic structural model of BiI 3 unit cell along with the unit cell parameters is shown in Fig.…”

Synthesis and growth of HgI2 nanocrystals in a glass matrix: Heat treatment

“…However, few studies report HgI 2 NC growth. [15][16][17] In particular, a route of synthesis very attractive of NCs quantum dots is obtained by fusion method in glass matrix with posterior thermal treatment, permitting the formation of NCs with excellent control and small dispersion of size. The phosphate host glass matrix is attractive because of its high degree of transparency and durability.…”