Synthesis and characterization of rhodium sulfide nanoparticles and thin films

The synthesis and characterization of a rhodium complex, [Rh(S2CNEt2)2] is described. The complex was thermolysed at a high temperature (280 °C) in the presence of capping agent, hexadecylamine (HDA) to form Rh2S3 nanoparticles. Rod-shaped Rh2S3 nanoparticles with an average length of 26.7 nm and an average breadth of 7.8 nm were synthesized. The complex was also used as a single molecule precursor for the deposition of Rh2S3 thin films on a glass substrate at 350 °C and 450 °C using the Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition (AACVD) technique. The resultant thin films showed temperature dependent morphologies and showed (0 2 2), (4 1 1) and (6 1 1) lattice planes characteristic of to the orthorhombic Rh2S3 phase. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the films.