title: Pyramidal lead sulfide crystallites with high energy {113} facets.
abstract: A new, generic method to exercise control over the shape of crystallites is reported. Crystals of PbS are grown in the unusual form of pyramids at the water-toluene interface. The pyramids are single crystalline and adopt a unique growth habit (slow growth along [113] direction). The pyramids are exclusive products of the reaction and are obtained in the form of a monolayered film spread across the fluid interface. The origins of the growth habit and assembly lie in phenomena unique to the liquid-liquid interface. The dimensions of the pyramidal base can be controllably varied in the range 575-1260 nm. Crystallites of other forms such as rods and spheres can be obtained by varying the properties of the fluid interface.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Dongbo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: P John
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D004735:Energy Transfer; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010316:Particle Size; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013440:Sulfides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014050:Toluene / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D013440:Sulfides; D014867:Water; C018391:lead sulfide; D007854:Lead; D014050:Toluene