Nanocrystal Synthesis Metal Chalcogenides

Gautam, U. K. Ghosh, M. Rao, C. N. R, A Strategy for the Synthesis of Nanocrystal Films of Metal Chalcogenides and Oxides by Employing the Liquid-Liquid Interface. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2003, 381,1-6. 

Decomposition of single molecular precursors provides convenient and effective routes for the synthesis of metal chalcogenide nanocrystals. In this method, a molecular complex consisting of both the metal and the chatcogen is thermally decomposed in a coordinating solvent. For example dithiocarbamates and diseleno-carbamates have been found to be good air stable precursors for sulfides and selenides of Cd, Zn and Pb. Nanocrystals of Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb, Cu, and Zn sulfides have been obtained by thermal decomposition of metal hexadecylxanthates in hexadecylamine... 

Metal chalcogenide nanocrystals of elements such as cadmium, copper, iron, tin, lead and zinc have attracted considerable interest due to their applications in emerging technologies. Developing methods for the combination of the elements to produce binary, ternary and quaternary compounds has dominated research in the field. This chapter will provide the most recent developments (from year 2012 onwards) for the synthesis of nanocrystals. 

This chapter covers the most recent advances in the synthesis of metal chalcogenide semiconductor nanocrystals and their chemical processing and assembly into ordered entities. In addition the application of this important class of materials in the broad fields of electronics and biomedicine is also described. 

Colloidal synthesis of metal chalcogenides has been developed to be used as nanocrystal inks to produce high efficiency solar cells with the lower fabrication costs. Recent research on these materials has focused on the use of abundant and low toxicity elements such copper, iron, tin, lead and sulphur. Several methods have been developed for the synthesis of these materials and considerable progress has been made in controlling the size, shape and surface properties of the nanocrystals. This chapter will provide the most recent developments for the synthesis and use of colloidal nanocrystal inks for solar energy. 

Kwon, S.G. and Hyeon, T. (2008) Colloidal chemical synthesis and formation kinetics of uniformly sized nanocrystals of metals, oxides, and chalcogenides. Acc. Chem,... 

Synthesis forms a vital aspect of the science of nanomaterials. In this context, chemical methods have proved to be more effective and versatile than physical methods and have therefore, been employed widely to synthesize a variety of nanomaterials, including zero-dimensional nanocrystals, one-dimensional nanowircs and nanotubes as well as two-dimensional nanofilms and nanowalls. Chemical synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials has been pursued vigorously in the last few years and in this article we provide a perspective on the present status of the subject. The article includes a discussion of nanocrystals and nanowires of metals, oxides, chalcogenides and pnictides. In addition, inorganic nanotubes and nanowalls have been reviewed. Some aspects of core-shell particles, oriented attachment and the use of liquid-liquid interfaces are also presented. 

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