Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06176-w ORIGINAL PAPER Modification of physicochemical and electrical characteristics of lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticles (NPs) by manganese (Mn) doping for electronic device and applications Shoaib Nazir 1 ● Jian-Min Zhang 1 ● Majid Niaz Akhtar 2 ● Numan Abbas 1 ● Shahroz Saleem 3 ● Muhammad Nauman 4 ● Asjad Ali 5 Received: 6 May 2023 / Accepted: 25 June 2023 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2023 Abstract In the present study, Pb 1-x Mn x S (0, 0.04, and 0.06) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by chemical co-precipitation process. The effects of Mn doping on the structural, morphological, vibrational, optical, and electrical characteristics of the PbS nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and I–V characteristics respectively. XRD patterns confirm the face-centered cubic (fcc) structure without impurity phases. The average crystalline size, unit cell constant, and porosity were found in the ranges of 11.93–14.33 nm, 5.7250–5.6888 Å, and 4.80–2.35%, respectively. SEM analysis revealed the flower-like, stone-like, and rode-like shapes of the Pb 1-x Mn x S (0, 0.04, and 0.06) nanoparticles. SEM images show that the PbS with Mn doping has flower, stone, and rod-like shapes for the samples doped with 0%, 4%, and 6%, respectively, Raman spectra depicted that the 6% Mn-doped PbS nanoparticles have stronger, and sharper peak intensity and bands as compared to PbS nanoparticles doped with 0 and 4%. The energy band gap decreased from 1.48 to 1.42 eV by increasing Mn concentration as compared to that of pure PbS nanoparticles. The electrical studies show that the increase in Mn-doping contents enhanced the electrical characteristics of the PbS nanoparticles without any structural distortions. The resistivity of the Pb 1-x Mn x S (0, 0.04, and 0.06) nanoparticles reduced from 1.3 × 10 6 to 2.1 × 10 3 Ω cm and conductivity increased from 7.69 × 10 -7 to 4.76 × 10 -4 Ʊ cm -1 with Mn content. Due to extraordinary characteristics and narrow band gaps, pure PbS and Mn-doped PbS nanoparticles are suitable for electronic devices operated at low temperatures. Graphical Abstract Centrifuged for 20 minutes at 3000 rpm Continuous stirring C4H6MnO4 Pb(NO3)2.6H2O Into vacuum oven at 90 o C for 3 h C en t rifug e d for 20 m inu t es a t 3000 rpm * Jian-Min Zhang jmzhang@snnu.edu.cn 1 College of Physics and Information Technology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xian 710119 Shaanxi, PR China 2 Institute of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan 3 Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices and Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, Xian 710119 Shaanxi, PR China 4 School of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China 5 University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Punjab 47050, Pakistan 1234567890();,: 1234567890();,: Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.