A correlation study of PbS nanoparticles synthesis conditions and material properties using XRD analysis

PbS nanomaterials display various promising properties that have a wide range of applications in thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, infra-red sensor, etc. In this poster, we report a systematic study of syntheses of lead sulfide (PbS) nanostructures via varying growth temperature (50°C to 120°C), growth time (10min to 24hrs), precursor materials, precursor ratios (Pb: S), etc. The correlations of growth conditions and morphology as well material properties are studied by UV-VIS absorption, XRD, EDS, TEM, etc. XRD data were analyzed in details to reveal the relations between growth conditions and materials properties. Spin-cast photovoltaic devices made of synthesized nanoparticles combined with other nanostructures (TiO₂ and ZnO, layer or nanorod) were also characterized and found out to be highly dependent on the growth conditions of syntheses and device fabrication conditions. Introducing plasmonic (Au or Ag) nanoparticles into PbS nanoparticles have also proved to enhance the photocurrent as well as power conversion efficiency. Further engineering of synthesis of PbS nanoparticles and architecture of nanostructures will likely increase the photovoltaic device performance.