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Thiourea-Derived Single-Source Molecular Precursor For Spin-Coated PbS Thin Films.
Kevin I Y Ketchemen1,2, Vaidehi Lapalikar1, Eduardo Carrillo-Aravena1
1Faculty of Chemistry and Food Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
Chemistryopen
|April 14, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel lead(II) complex as a single-source precursor for depositing lead sulfide (PbS) thin films. This precursor enables the fabrication of nanostructured PbS films at a low annealing temperature of 250°C.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Developing efficient methods for synthesizing nanostructured lead sulfide (PbS) thin films is crucial for various electronic applications.
- Existing methods often require high temperatures or complex multi-step processes.
- A need exists for single-source precursors enabling controlled deposition under ambient conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel single-source precursor for lead sulfide (PbS) thin film deposition.
- To investigate the structural and thermal properties of the synthesized precursor.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of the precursor in fabricating nanostructured PbS thin films at moderate temperatures.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of N-(thiomorpholine-4-carbothioyl)benzamide ligand and its lead(II) complex.
- Structural elucidation using single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Purity confirmation via elemental analysis, 1H NMR, and IR spectroscopy.
- Thermal decomposition analysis using thermal analysis (TGA/DSC).
- Fabrication of PbS thin films via chemical deposition using the precursor.
- Characterization of thin films using optical absorption spectroscopy and microscopy.
Main Results:
- A novel lead(II) complex with N-(thiomorpholine-4-carbothioyl)benzamide ligand was successfully synthesized.
- X-ray diffraction confirmed the coordination of the ligand to lead(II) via S and O atoms.
- Elemental analysis, NMR, and IR spectroscopy verified the composition and purity of the ligand and complex.
- Thermal analysis provided insights into the decomposition pathway for thin film fabrication.
- Phase-pure PbS thin films with cuboidal nanoparticles were deposited at a low annealing temperature of 250°C.
- The resulting films exhibited blue-shifted optical absorption, indicating quantum confinement effects.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized lead(II) complex serves as an effective single-source precursor for PbS thin films.
- The precursor allows for low-temperature deposition (250°C) under ambient conditions.
- The fabricated PbS films possess desirable nanostructured morphology and optical properties.
