Fabrication of single-crystalline CuInS2 nanowires array via a diethylenetriamine-thermal route

Single crystalline CuInS2 nanowires array have been prepared via a facile solvothermal synthetic route. The as-prepared CuInS2 nanowires are uniform with a [112] growth direction. The use of diethylenetriamine as the optimal solvent and long reaction times are found to play significant roles for the formation of single crystalline CuInS2 nanowires. The structure, morphology, composition and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared CuInS2 nanowires were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. A possible formation mechanism for the single crystalline CuInS2 nanowires array is proposed.