Biomolecule-assisted solvothermal synthesis of coral-like Bi<inf>2</inf>S<inf>3</inf>nanostructures

Abstract

Bi2S3nanostructures were prepared via a simple biomolecule-assisted solvothermal synthesis through the reaction between bismuth nitrate and l-cysteine, using ethylenediamine as a solvent because of its strong polarity and coordination. The ethylenediamine solvent also acted as a structure-directing molecule. The products, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were orthorhombic Bi2S3with coral-like nanostructures. The crystallinities and microstructures of the products were improved when the reaction times were prolonged. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was also used to confirm the stoichiometry of the Bi2S3. © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.