One-dimensional cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanostructures by the solvothermal process: Controlling crystal structure and morphology aided by different solvents

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowires and nanorods with different aspect ratios were successfully synthesized by the solvothermal method aided with various solvents, namely ethylenediamine, ethanolamine and triethylene tetraamine. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed that, highly pure CdS nanostructures were crystallized with different structures and preferable growth orientations depending on solvent nature. Field emission electron microscope (FE-SEM) images showed that the aspect ratio of CdS nanostructures depends upon the dielectric constant and boiling temperature of solvents. CdS nanostructures with the highest aspect ratio in the form of nanowire were obtained using ethylenediamine, whereas CdS nanorods were produced in the presence of ethanolamine and triethylene tetraamine solvents. The absorption edge of CdS nanowires and nanorods showed a blue shift compared with that of bulk CdS due to an increase in their band gap energies. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.