Acetylacetone-Directed Controllable Synthesis of Bi2S3 Nanostructures with Tunable Morphology

Uniform 5 mu m Bi2S3 microspheres and 8 mu m microflowers were solvothermally synthesized in acetylacetone solution through thermolysis of the Bi3+-dithizone complex without. any templates or surfactants. Bi2S3 microspheres composed of nanorods with a diameter of 20-40 nm were synthesized at 180 degrees C for 12 h. In similar conditions at 240 degrees C for 3 days, micronowers composed of nanowires with lengths up to several micrometers and diameter of 20-40 nm were obtained. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed in the initial stage in the formation process that smooth spherical cores were observed, then on the surface of the cores nanoparticles appeared, and finally nanorods or nanowires grew out and microspheres and microflowers formed. Electrochemical experiments using Bi2S3 in a lithium ion battery indicated that the first discharge capacity of Bi2S3 microflowers could reach about 148 mA h g(-1).