COBALT(II)/NICKEL(II) COMPLEXES OF DITHIOACETYLACETONE [M(SacSac)2](M = Co, Ni) AS SINGLE SOURCE PRECURSORS FOR COBALT/NICKEL SULFIDE NANOSTRUCTURES.

Cobalt(II)/Nickel(II) complexes of 4-thiopent-3-ene-2-thione (SacSac), [M(SacSac)2](M = Co, Ni) have been used as single source precursors (SSPs) for the preparation of cobalt/nickel sulfide thin films by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD). Cobalt or nickel sulfide nanoparticles were grown by thermal decomposition of the precursor in hot trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) or hexadecylamine (HDA). XRD analysis showed that all samples of cobalt or nickel sulfide are of the sulfur deficient phases (Ni9S8, Co9S8, Ni7S6, or Ni3S2). SEM and TEM analysis showed that nickel sulfide formed nanowires, nanorods and spheres; cobalt sulfide formed plate like structures and spheres. The chemical compositions of the nanoparticles can be controlled by varying temperature or the capping agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]