A very simple and low cost route to Bi2S3 nanorods bundles and dandelion-like nanostructures

Bi2S3 nanorods bundles as well as three-dimensional dandelion-like nanostructures were synthesized in high yield at lower temperature (room temperature or ambient temperature of 15 degrees C) in a very simple system composed only of Bi(NO3)(3), thioacetamide (TAA), hydrochloride acid and distilled water. It is the first report to obtain such nanostructures at such a low temperature and by such a simple method, and the reaction does not demand any additional energy such as heating or agitation. A splitting crystal growth and self-assemble mechanism should be responsible for the formation of these structures. This kind of novel Bi2S3 nanostructures may find potential applications in hydrogen storage, high-energy batteries, as well as luminescence and catalysis fields. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.