A simple synthesis and characterization of PbTe nano-particles

PbTe nanopowders with different morphology were prepared by a simple chemical synthesis. Similar cubic nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by using Pb(NO₃)₂ and Na₂TeO₃ as the precursors, and NaBH₄ as the reductant. The single PbTe phase is confirmed from XRD pattern, and obvious width of XRD peaks occur. The size of powders is distributed from 20nm to 70nm in a typical process according to observation from SEM and TEM images. Based on HRTEM observation, PbTe nanopowders with an amorphous layer show polyhedron feature. In different crystallization stages, there is different morphology due to competition between surface energy and crystal face energy. The globular, polyhedron and cubic particles belongs to different growth stages, respectively. Possible growth mechanisms of PbTe were also discussed.