We report a new phase in the binary SnS system, obtained as highly symmetric nanotetrahedra. Due to the nanoscale size and minute amounts of these particles in the synthesis yield, the structure was exclusively solved using electron diffraction methods. The atomic model of the new phase (a = 11.7 Å, P2(1)3) was deduced and found to be associated with the rocksalt-type structure. Kramers-Kronig analysis predicted different optical and electronic properties for the new phase, as compared to α-SnS.

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We describe methodology for producing highly uniform, ordered and reproducible superstructures of surfactant-coated ZnS nanorod and nanowire assemblies, and propose a predictive multiscale "packing model" for superstructure formation based on electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction data on the superstructure, as well as on individual components of the nanostructured system. The studied nanoparticles showed a hierarchical structure starting from the individual faceted ZnS inorganic cores, onto which the crystalline surfactant molecules are adsorbed, to the superstructure of the nanoparticle arrays. Our results point out the critical role of the surfactant headgroup and polarity in nanoparticle assembly, and demonstrate the relationship between the molecular structure of the surfactant and the resulting superstructure of the nanoparticle assemblies.

We report the formation of size tunable PbS nanocubes induced by the presence of trisodium citrate during growth of PbS thin films by chemical bath deposition. The presence of citrate induces growth by the cluster mechanism which is monitored by XRD and HRSEM, along with real time light scattering and optical absorption measurements.