Chrysanthemum-like bismuth sulfide microcrystals: Synthesis, characterization, and properties

Uniform chrysanthemum-like bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) microcrystals assembled from nanosheet building blocks were successfully synthesized via a convenient hydrothermal synthetic route under mild conditions in which hydrated bismuth nitrate and L-cysteine were employed to supply Bi and S source and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-Na-2) was employed as chelating agent. The influences of reaction temperatures and time on the morphologies of final products were investigated. The phase structures, morphologies, and properties of as-prepared products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, and photoluminescence spectra. The possible growth mechanism for the formation of chrysanthemum-like Bi2S3 microcrystals was discussed on the basis of the experimental results. (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.