Nano-sized lead has
many versatile applications that could be applied in daily life. In the current
study, we report a comprehensive study for preparation of nanosized lead oxide
using the co-precipitation method and optimization of reaction parameters to
obtain lead oxide (PbO) nanoparticles with homogeneously distributed size,
shape and structure. When aqueous solution of lead (II) acetate reduced with
sodium hydroxide at elevated temperatures, alpha form of lead oxide
nanoparticles, with spherical shape were achieved. Decreasing the ratio of
sodium hydroxide to lead (II) acetate concentration at moderate temperatures
resulted with a gradual change in crystal structure from quasi -spherical α-PbO
nanoparticles and two dimensional nanoflakes of beta PbO with a thickness below
100 nm was synthesized for the first time. The obtained particles in both α and
b forms were characterized by X-ray powder
diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering equipment (Zetasizer), transmission
electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Finally, thin layers of freeze-dryer
α-PbO and β-PbO particle powder on glass and filter paper were formed by the
help of nail polisher and conductivity measurements were performed using
four-point probes method. Produced layers β-PbO particles with a below 100 nm
showed higher conductivity on both supports as compared to the ones produced
from spherical α-PbO nanoparticles. This altered conductivity of the material
in the semiconducting zone, which is probably due to a more effective electron
transfer facilitated by 2D alignment of the molecules, could rose the potential
use of this material in voltaic and catalysis.
Subjects | Engineering, Chemical Engineering |
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Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | September 28, 2017 |
Submission Date | July 18, 2017 |
Acceptance Date | September 28, 2017 |
Published in Issue | Year 2017 Volume: 4 Issue: 3 |