Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline PbSe in poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene)

The in situ reduction method was used to prepare nanocrystalline PbSe in a poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene) matrix. Metal precursor-doped polymer film was treated with selenium and reducing reagent (NaBH₄) in ethylenediamine, leading to the formation of assemblies of crystalline semiconductive PbSe in polymer. The preparation was done at room temperature and ambient pressure. X-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectra were used to characterize the as-prepared materials. The key factor for successful preparation of this composite was also discussed.