Nanoscale Stabilization of New Phases in the PbTe-Sb₂Te₃ System: Pb_mSb_2nTe_m+3n Nanocrystals

Journal Article · Fri Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja309626q· OSTI ID:1060585

Soriano, Ronald B; Arachchige, Indika U; Malliakas, Christos D; Wu, Jinsong; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G ^[1]

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1. NWU

A series of novel rock-salt-type Pb_mSb_2nTe_m+3n nanocrystals (m = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10; n = 1 and 2) were successfully prepared using a colloidal synthesis route. These materials are stable only on the nanoscale and have no bulk analogues. Elemental compositions were determined using scanning transmission electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM/EDS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The nanocrystals exhibit well-defined band energies in the mid-IR region that are nearly independent of their atomic compositions. Pb_mSb_2nTe_m+3n nanocrystals behave as metastable homogeneous solid solutions at room temperature and tend to phase separate into the respective binary PbTe + Sb₂Te₃ at 300 °C. Furthermore, pair distribution function (PDF) analysis suggests that the local structure of these Pb_mSb_2nTe_m+3n nanocrystals is distorted with respect to the rock-salt structure.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
• Sponsoring Organization: U.S. OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH
• OSTI ID: 1060585
• Journal Information: Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol. 135, Issue 2; ISSN 0002-7863
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH