Sintering and evaporation characteristics of gas-phase synthesis of size-selected PbS nanoparticles

Gas-phase synthesis of nanoparticles is advantageous because of higher purity due to absence of liquid solvents and the possibility of reaching high temperatures, thereby extending the range of materials which can be synthesized. The synthesis of semiconducting material (PbS) via the evaporation–condensation route is here undertaken in combination with the control techniques provided by aerosol science such as size fractionation and on-line particle size measurements. Particle sizes obtained range from 3 to 50 nm with a relative standard deviation of 1.1. By means of an on-line measurement of the agglomerate diameter the evaporation and sintering characteristics of PbS nanoparticles are investigated in combination with a theoretical description of the evaporation and sintering process.