The synthesis of metallic and semiconducting nanoparticles from reactive melts of precursors

Abstract

The decomposition of melts of single-source precursors has yielded a range of interesting nanocrystals. The metal and semiconductor nanomaterials produced often display very exotic morphologies. These solventless, self-capping reactions are exceedingly simple and potentially scalable. In this review we survey all examples known to us of this approach to nanoparticle synthesis. Edward Lewis received his MChem degree from the University of Oxford in 2011. He is working towards a PhD in nanoscience at the University of Manchester under the supervision of Sarah Haigh and Paul O'Brien. His research involves the development of techniques for in situ observation of nanoparticle growth. Sarah Haigh is a Lecturer in Material Science at the University of Manchester. She received her MEng degree in Material Science from the University of Oxford in 2004 and her D.Phil degree in Advanced Microscopy in 2008 in the same department working under the supervision of Prof. Angus Kirkland and Prof. John Hutchison. She was a postdoctoral research fellow working with JEOL UK until moving to the University of Manchester in 2010. Her current research focuses on using high resolution imaging and elemental analysis to study a range of novel materials systems, including graphene based high mobility transistors, mixed-metal nanoparticle catalysts and high performance alloys. In 2013 she was awarded the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Silver Medal for outstanding contribution to the broad eld of materials science.

Hot‐Injection Synthesis of PbE (E= S, Se) Nanoparticles from Dichalcogenoimidophosphinato Lead (II) Complexes

“…Several methods have been reported for the syntheses of PbSe/S nanoparticles . These include thermal decomposition of precursors in alkyl amines, TOP/TOPO, solvothermal, hydrothermal, solventless, heat up and other colloidal methods …”

“…[1] Several methods have been reported for the syntheses of PbSe/S nanoparticles. [6] These include thermal decomposition of precursors in alkyl amines, [5][6][7] TOP/TOPO, [9] solvothermal, [10] hydrothermal, [11] solventless, [12][13][14][15] heat up [16,17] and other colloidal methods. [18,19] Single source precursors are metal-organic molecules that provide the required elements for the synthesis of the desired compound in the right stoichiometry.…”

Precursor determined lateral size control of monolayer MoS2nanosheets from a series of alkylammonium thiomolybdates: a reversal of trend between growth media

“…12 14 Thermolysis of precursor melts is a potentially scalable route to nanomaterials. 15 Viable compounds have volatile byproducts, often resulting in ligand free nanomaterials. Polymers such as polystyrene and the semiconducting poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5diyl) (P3HT) have been shown to be effective as an medium for the in situ growth of nanocrystals.…”

A simple route to complex materials: the synthesis of alkaline earth – transition metal sulfides

“…28,29 We, and others, have previously described the use of metal xanthates [M(S 2 COR) x ] (M = transition metal, R = alkyl chain) to generate nanostructured metal sufides via AA-CVD, melt reactions and hot-injection syntheses. [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Metal xanthates are a good choice as single-source precursors to metal sulfides, as they decompose cleanly at low temperature. One potential decomposition pathway is the Chugaev elimination mechanism (Scheme 1), from which the only by-products are gases that are readily removed from the reaction system.…”