CONTROL OF THE SIZES OF LEAD SULFIDE (PBS) NANOPARTICLES BY PLASMA TREATMENT METHOD

Abstract

In this work, the optimal parameters for the production of lead sulfide nanoparticles (PbS) were determined. Lead sulfide nanoparticles were obtained by chemical precipitation in an aqueous solution of lead nitrate (Pb(NO3 )2 ) 25 ml 0.18 M (1.524 g), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 75 ml 0.38 M (1.172 g), thiourea (CH4 N2 S) 50 ml 0.11 M (0.399 g), at a reaction temperature of 100 °C, the duration of the synthesis reaction was 120 minutes. The particles were deposited on a pre-purified silicon (Si) substrate. After synthesis, the particles were processed in a glow discharge plasma in an argon atmosphere at a pressure of the order of Ð=1 Pa, for t1 =1min and U = 2 min, at a voltage ofU = 2 kV and a current strength of I =1,5 mA. The morphology of the obtained structures was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the elemental composition of the particles was determined by energy dispersion analysis (EDX). Plasma treatment reduces the average particle size from the submicron to the nanometer range.