Facile synthesis and optical properties of PbO nanostructures

Abstract

PbO nanostructures were synthesized by the oxidation of lead sheets in a tube furnace under oxygen ambient using different temperatures, from 280 °C to 450 °C. X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) indicated the formation of α-PbO nanostructures from the lead sheet with an increase in the temperature. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results showed that flake-like shapes were starting to grow on the lead sheet that was placed in the 280 °C. In addition, the SEM studies showed nanoflake and nanoporous morphologies for the lead sheets that were placed at 330 °C and 450 °C, respectively. Raman measurements confirmed the XRD results and indicated two Raman active modes that belonged to the α-PbO phase for the nanoflakes and the nanoporous surface. The optical properties of the products were characterized using a photoluminescence (PL) technique. The PL results for the PbO nanoflakes and nanopores showed a peak in the visible region.