Title: PbS nanoparticles: biosynthesis and characterisation

Authors: Anal K. Jha; K. Prasad

Addresses: University Department of Chemistry, T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, 812 007, India. ' University Department of Physics, T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, 812 007, India; Centre for Applied Physics, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, 835 205, India

Abstract: A novel, green and highly reproducible yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mediated biosynthesis of PbS nanoparticles is reported. The synthesis is performed at room temperature in the laboratory ambience. X-ray and transmission electron microscopy are performed to ascertain the formation of PbS nanoparticles. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray data and SAED pattern indicated that PbS nanoparticles have face centred cubic unit cell structure. Individual nanoparticles almost spherical in shape having the sizes of 0.667 to 6.95 nm are found. UV-vis spectroscopic study revealed the surface plasmon resonance at 268 nm. The absorbance spectrum was used to estimate the value of optical band gap and particle size of PbS nanoparticles. A possible involved mechanism for the biosynthesis of PbS nanoparticles has also been proposed in which stress shearing response of the fungus seems to play an important role in the process.

Keywords: nanomaterials; biosynthesis; green synthesis; nanobiotechnology; PbS nanoparticles; lead sulphide; nanotechnology; yeast; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; stress shearing; fungus.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2012.049914

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2012 Vol.5 No.4, pp.369 - 379

Received: 27 Apr 2011
Accepted: 06 Feb 2012
Published online: 20 Aug 2014 *

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