Selective synthesis and characterization of famatinite nanofibers and tetrahedrite nanoflakes

High quality semiconducting famatinite (Cu3SbS4) nanofibers and tetradrite (Cu12Sb4S13) nanoflakes have been selectively synthesized through mild hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis routes, respectively. The morphology and phase of the products can be successfully controlled by choosing appropriate reaction media to adjust the dynamics of the reaction process. It was found that reaction temperature is an important factor influencing the phase purity of the products. This method may provide a general route for the selective preparation of other semiconducting multinary sulfide nanocrystallites.