Ultrathin β-In2S3 nanobelts:: Shape-controlled synthesis and optical and photocatalytic properties

Ultrathin beta-In2S3 nanobelts have been successfully synthesized via a facile improved solvothermal route. The crystal phase, morphology, crystal lattice and composition of as-prepared products were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM and EDS, respectively. Results revealed that the as-synthesized beta-In2S3 nanobelts are in cubic structure 50-90 nm in width, 13 2 nm in thickness, and the overall length even up to several microns. A possible shape evolution and crystal growth mechanism was suggested, and the formation of beta-In2S3 nanobelts resulted from the preferential growth along the < 220 > direction and enclosed by {202} and {02 (2) over bar} crystallographic facets. The strong quantum confinement effect in UV-vis spectra and the blue emission in photoluminescence spectra imply the as: synthesized beta-In2S3 nanobelts as a promising candidate for phosphor in display devices. Furthermore, the good photocatalytic effects indicate that these beta-In2S3 nanobelts are likely to be applied as a new kind of photocatalyst in the future.