Facile synthesis and characterization of single crystalline Bi2S3 with various morphologies

Single crystalline Bi2S3 With various morphologies (wires, rods, and flowers) has been successfully prepared via a simple polyol solution process and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The morphologies of Bi2S3 crystals are highly dependent on the experimental parameters, including the reaction temperature, reactant ratio, sulfur source, and additive. The adjustment of these parameters can lead to an obvious shape evolution of products, and the growth mechanism has been proposed. The results reveal that excess S source is favorable for the formation of high-quality Bi2S3 nanostructures; the dimensions of Bi2S3 are highly dependent on the nature of S source materials; the employment of additives in the reaction process results in the appearance of flower-like Bi2S3 microstructures. This reaction system could be extended for the preparation of other metal chalcogenides nano- and micromaterials.