Pressure Induced Structural Transitions in Nanometer Size Particles of PbS

Abstract

The effects of particle sizes in the nanometer range on pressure-induced phase transitions of PbS have been investigated using energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction of synchrotron-wiggler radiation. Compared to bulk crystals, the onset of transition pressure showed an increase with decreasing particle size. The results also show a reduced b-axis lattice parameter for the high pressure orthorhombic phase, as compared to the bulk PbS.