Ultra-thin crystalline films of ZnS and PbS formed at the organic–aqueous interface

Abstract

Ultra-thin films of ZnS have been prepared by the reaction of zinc cupferronate or zinc stearate in a toluene solution with an aqueous solution of Na₂S. The films have been examined by electron microscopy and other techniques. The reaction at the interface yields excellent films which are generally single-crystalline. The effects of reaction parameters such as temperature and reactant concentration have been examined. Ultra-thin crystalline films of PbS have been obtained by the reaction of a toluene solution of lead cupferronate with the aqueous solution of Na₂S. The organic–aqueous interface provides a simple and elegant method of producing good crystalline films of important semiconducting materials.