Large-scale synthesis of bismuth sulfide nanorods by microwave irradiation

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) has attracted considerable interest due to its potential applications in thermoelectric and electronic devices, optoelectronic devices, and biomedicine. In this study, large-scale highly crystalline Bi2S3 nanorods were successfully prepared from bismuth citrate and thiourea (Tu) by microwave irradiation methods. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM. HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The influences of reaction time, surfactants, solvents, and precursors on the formation of Bi2S3 nanorods were discussed. The microwave irradiation method reduced reaction time by at least 80% in the synthesis of Bi2S3 nanorods compared with the refluxing method. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) were found to be beneficial to the formation of Bi2S3 nanorods. N,N-dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol, and diethylene glycol were the favorable solvents in the fabrication of these nanorods. It was found that different bismuth and sulfur precursors influenced the sizes and morphologies of the Bi2S3 nanorods. The proposed growth mechanism of Bi2S3 nanorods was also discussed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.