Structural features of PbSe nanoparticles produced within the silicate glasses

TL;DR

This study investigates the formation and structure of PbSe nanoparticles within silicate glasses using X-ray diffraction, neutron scattering, and microscopy, revealing their fractal aggregate nature and size distribution.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the structural features and aggregation behavior of PbSe nanoparticles in silicate glasses through combined experimental and simulation approaches.

Findings

PbSe nanoparticles form fractal aggregates up to ~30 nm.

Particle sizes are consistent with optical studies.

SANS simulations reveal new structural features.

Abstract

PbSe-doped silicate glasses were studied through wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). PbSe nanoparticles in the glasses were produced due to the secondary heat treatment at different temperatures and their appearance was established by WXRD, SANS, and TEM techniques with the results for particle sizes in accordance to our recent optical studies of this material. The simulation of SANS measurements revealed new structural features of the PbSe nanoparticles. They form fractal aggregates as several overlapping spheres up to ~30 nm in full size.