Sonochemical approach for synthesis and characterization of PbTe nanostructure

In the present work, PbTe nanostructures have been synthesized with the aid of [Pb(sal)(2)], Pb(NO3)(2), and TeCl4 as the starting reagents by sonochemical method with water solution. Besides, the effects of lead source, surfactant, and ultrasonic radiation on the morphology and particle size of products were studied by SEM images. It was found out that the size and morphology of the products were greatly influenced by these parameters. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The advantages of the present synthesis procedure is that it is very simple and little toxic reagents are used. The XRD studies indicated the production of pure cubic PbTe nanostructures could only happen in the presence of ultrasonic radiation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.