Influence of soluble salt matrix on mechanochemical preparation of PbS nanoparticles

The synthesis of PbS nanocrystalline semiconductor particles was performed in a laboratory mill without and with an addition of a soluble salt (sodium acetate or sodium chloride). The salt matrix was removed by washing with de-ionized water and methanol. X-ray analysis, specific surface area measurement, particle size distribution analysis, UV-VIS spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used for a characterization of microstructure and surface properties of synthesized PbS particles (JCPDS 5-592). Based on this comparative study it can be established, that by the addition of sodium acetate and as well as sodium chloride the specific surface area and the mean particle size of PbS are influenced.