Solventless Synthesis of Bi₂S₃ (Bismuthinite) Nanorods, Nanowires, and Nanofabric

Abstract

Orthorhombic Bi 2 S 3 (bismuthinite) nanorods and nanowires are synthesized by the solventless thermolysis of bismuth alkylthiolate precursors. Reactions carried out in air at ∼225 °C in the presence of a capping ligand species, octanoate, produce high aspect ratio (>100) nanowires. Lower aspect ratio nanowires (∼7) are produced by the same approach with the addition of elemental sulfur at lower reaction temperature (∼160 °C). Both the nanowires and nanorods are oriented with their long axes in the [002] crystallographic direction. Higher reaction temperatures (∼250 °C) produce crossed nanowire networks, or fabrics, with highly oriented growth as a result of heterogeneous nanowire nucleation and epitaxial elongation off the surface of existing wires.