Understanding the Decomposition Pathways of Mixed Sulfur/Selenium Lead Phosphinato Complexes Explaining the Formation of Lead Selenide

Lead selenide (PbSe), as micro- and nanocrystals, has been produced from a mixed lead thioseleno-phosphinato compound, [Pb{(C(6)H(5))(2)PSSe}(2)] by chemical vapor deposition. The formation of PbSe nanocrystals in the solution has also been demonstrated at room temperatrure in a mixture of oleylamine and dodecanethiol. Density functional theory calculations of the decomposition of the complex are consistent with a dominant role for thermodynamic factors rather than kinetic ones in controlling the material formed.