Room temperature synthesis of organic surfactant-free PbS and PbSe nanoparticles exhibiting NIR absorption

Chemically synthesized nanoparticles have organic molecules surrounding the particles as capping, which creates an inorganic–organic interface. These intimate interfaces influence the properties of the applied materials and subsequently the applications. Therefore, a method to produce surfactant-free PbS and PbSe nanoparticles at room temperature within 15 min of reaction time was developed. The materials, their morphologies, and optical properties were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. These particles were monodispersed with almost uniform size and shape with an average diameter of 2.07 ± 0.4 nm for PbS and 2.98 ± 0.6 nm for PbSe. UV-Vis-NIR spectra of these materials showed absorption spanning the NIR region.