Various morphologies of nano/micro PbS via green hydrothermal method

Abstract

Lead sulfide (PbS) with various morphologies including nanoparticle, microrod, octahedral, cubic, sixarmed microstar, dendrite structure and hexagonal disc were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The synthesis variables such as the pH of solution, kind of surfactant, reaction temperature and time were observed to influence the final shape of PbS microstructures. The structure and morphology of obtained products were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed the direct band gap of *5.8 eV for the PbS microstar that is a large increment compared with that of bulk PbS. The photoluminescence measurements showed that the emission peaks were located at 712 nm. A possible formation mechanism of PbS microcrystals was discussed based on their shape evolutions.