Synthesis, size control, and passivation of CdS nanoparticles in water/AOT/n-heptane microemulsions

Abstract CdS nanoparticles have been synthesised by adding tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulphide to water/sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate/ n -heptane microemulsions containing CdSO 4 . Analysis of UV–Vis absorption spectra recorded at various times indicates that an initial rapid formation of CdS nanoparticles is followed by a very slow growth process which can be well described by a power law. The growth process is totally inhibited by the addition of an appropriate amount of bis(2-ethylhexyl)amine (BEA) leading to the formation of stable nanosized CdS particles coated by an oriented monolayer of chemically bonded BEA molecules. Depending on the BEA addition time, the growth inhibit…