Facile route to SnS nanocrystals and their characterization

SnS nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesized in oleylamine using the hot-injection technique from tin(II) chloride and diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate in the presence of dodecanethiol. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis revealed the formation of single crystalline SnS NCs with sizes finely controlled by synthetic conditions. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) investigation confirmed the formation of SnS in a nearly stoichiometric ratio with additional evidence of the SnS NCs surface oxidation when NCs were stored in the air. Optical absorption measurements showed a shift in band gap energy of SnS NCs towards larger values with decreasing particle sizes. SnS NCs were successfully transferred into water using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and Vitamin E as surfactants. These VIS/NIR absorbing SnS NCs should have widespread applications in the construction of efficient photoelectronic devices and probes in bioimaging due to their unique optoelectronic properties and low toxicity.