Effect of pyridine upon gas-phase reactions between H2S and Me2Cd; control of nanoparticle growth

Abstract

The effect of pyridine upon the gas-phase reaction of dimethyl-cadmium (Me₂Cd) with hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been investigated. Analysis of the solid reaction product by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), elemental analysis (EA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the deposit to consist of crystalline CdS particles in the nanometre size range of the Greenockite (hexagonal) phase, with pyridine molecules bound to surface cadmium atoms. The average particle size within the deposit is dependent upon both the concentration of pyridine in the gas phase and the temperature at which the gas-phase reactants are mixed.