Multi-level assemblies of lead sulphide nanorods

A new concept of multi-level assemblies of nanorod-based structures has been proposed, which could give new insight into the construction of nanorod-based complex structures from the bottom up. Multi-level architectures of complex lead sulphide (PbS) nanorod-based structures have been realized by a simple and general amino acid-mediated approach. First-level structure (multi-arm horn-like structure), second-level structure (bi-pyramid structure formed by several horn-like structures), and third-level structure (multi-pyramid structure formed by several pyramid-like structures) can be synthesized with the assistance of different amino acids: aspartic acid, serine, and histidine, respectively. The amino acids have several functional groups, such as -NH(2) and -COOH, which have strong abilities for coordination with the metal ions, and might provide reaction sites by coordinating with metal ions to initiate and then confine the assemblies of the PbS nanorods. This amino acid-mediated method provides a possibility of studying the formation and assembly mechanisms from the bottom up and might open a door to constructing complex nanorod-based structures at different levels.