Composite nanotubes formed by self-assembly of PbS nanoparticles

Unusual arrangements of nanoparticles were observed during the synthesis and subsequent dissolution of PbS particles under the action of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in solutions containing hydrophilic polymers. At the selected polymer and surfactant concentrations, the surfactant forms the insoluble lead dodecyl sulfate salt (Pb(DS)(2)), which competes with the formation of the PbS particles. Under the action of the surfactant the PbS particles form bending self-assembled layers; a novel type of metastable nanotubes arises then, the walls of which consist of layers of ordered PbS nanoparticles which are, most likely, separated by bilayers of surfactant molecules.