One Step Solvothermal Synthesis of Flower-Like β-In₂S₃ Microstructures

Abstract

Uniform 3D flower-like β-In2S3 microstructures were synthesized using InCl3·4H2O and KSCN as starting reagents in ethylene glycol at 200-220°C for 30h under solvothermal conditions. The prepared products were characterized by various techniques, such as XRD, XPS, FESEM, TEM and ED. FESEM and TEM observation reveals that the as-prepared flower-like β-In2S3 microstructures are assembled by plate-like nanocrystals with average thickness of 10nm. These nanoplates interconnect with each other to form an entangled network-like architecture with irregular-shaped pore in the flower-like β-In2S3 microstructures. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum indicates that the synthesized β-In2S3 porous micro spheres have shown considerably greater quantum size effects.

Solvothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Flower-Like b-In2S3 Microparticles

“…Similarly when the hydrated indium salt reacts with acetylacetone, the ligand binds In 3+ ion in a bidentate manner and forms a five-membered chelate ring [23]. It is believed that the complex ion with bidentate ligand may form self-assembly under solvothermal condition which facilitates the oriented growth [15] of the flower-like molecule. After a certain time of reaction at elevated temperature and pressure the stability of the complex decreased and S 2-(obtained by the dissociation of thiourea at high temperature) immediately reacted with the aforesaid complexes to form In2S3 microsphere; the volatile organic ligand was gradually lost (as the boiling point of acetylacetone is 140 °C at normal pressure and temperature).…”