Growth of nanocrystalline thin films of metal sulfides [CdS, ZnS, CuS and PbS] at the water–oil interface

Simple one pot reactions between thiobiuret complexes [M(SON(CNiPr2)2)2], (M = Cd, Zn, Pb or Cu) in toluene and aqueous Na2S lead to well-defined assemblies of nanocrystals. High quality thin films of CdS, ZnS, CuS and PbS nanoparticulates adhered to the interface are produced and are transferable to glass and other substrates. The effect of reaction parameters on the nature and properties of the deposits are examined. The films are characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transport property measurements, X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy. The ability to obtain thin films of several nanocrystalline semiconductors from a single precursor set significantly expands the scope of a reaction scheme that is still in its infancy.