Nonsurfactant synthesis of PbS crystals viaelectrodeposition and hydrothermal methods: from octahedron to maya-pyramid

Abstract

Octahedra and truncated octahedra PbS microcrystals were synthesized via a facile electrochemical process without any templates or surfactants. PbS microcrystals with a Maya-pyramid structure were prepared by employing octahedra PbS as seeds through a hydrothermal process. The reaction conditions influencing the synthesis of these PbS microcrystals, such as reaction time, electrodeposition current density, and initial precursors' concentrations were studied. The morphology, structure and phase composition of the obtained PbS microcrystals were examined by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM. The mechanism of the octahedra, truncated octahedra PbS microcrystals and PbS crystals with Maya-pyramid structure formation is also discussed.