title: Solar Synthesis of PbS-SnS2 Superstructure Nanoparticles.
abstract: We report the synthesis and supporting density-functional-theory computations for a closed-cage, misfit layered-compound superstructure from PbS-SnS2, generated by highly concentrated sunlight from a precursor mixture of Pb, SnS2, and graphite. The unique reactor conditions created in our solar furnace are found to be particularly conducive to the formation of these nanomaterials. Detailed structural and chemical characterization revealed a spontaneous inside-out formation mechanism, with a broad range of nonhollow fullerene-like structures starting at a diameter of ∼20 nm and a wall thickness of ∼5 layers. The computations also reveal a counterintuitive charge transfer pathway from the SnS2 layers to the PbS layers, which indicates that, in contrast to binary-layered compounds where it is principally van der Waals forces that hold the layers together, polar forces appear to be as important in stabilizing superstructures of misfit layered compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science , P.O. Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brontvein
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science , P.O. Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albu-Yaron
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science , P.O. Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.affiliation: Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus , Sede Boqer 84990, Israel.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feuerman
authors.affiliation: Electron Microscopy Unit, Weizmann Institute of Science , P.O. Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Popovitz-Biro
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute of Science , P.O. Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Reshef
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tenne
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, Ural Federal University , Lenina Pr. 51, Ekaterinburg 620000, Russia.
authors.forename: Andrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Enyashin
authors.affiliation: Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus , Sede Boqer 84990, Israel.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gordon
keywords: PbS; SnS2; charge transfer; density functional theory; fullerene-like; inorganic; misfit layered compound; solar; superstructure