Solventless synthesis of Bi2S3 (bismuthinite) nanorods, nanowires, and nanofabric

Orthorhombic Bi2S3 (bismuthinite) nanorods and nanowires are synthesized by the solventless thermolysis of bismuth alkylthiolate precursors. Reactions carried out in air at similar to 225 degrees C in the presence of a capping ligand species, octanoate, produce high aspect ratio (> 100) nanowires. Lower aspect ratio nanowires (similar to 7) are produced by the same approach with the addition of elemental sulfur at lower reaction temperature (similar to 160 degrees C). Both the nanowires and nanorods are oriented with their long axes in the [002] crystallographic direction. Higher reaction temperatures (similar to 250 degrees 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.