Hierarchical α-MnS microspheres: Solvothermal synthesis and growth mechanism

• α-MnS microspheres have been synthesized via a simple solvothermal route.
• The growth mechemism of α-MnS microspheres has been proposed.
• L-Cystein molecules play an important role in affecting on MnS shape.

Hierarchical-like α-MnS microspheres have been successfully synthesized via a simple solvothermal route using L-Cystein as both sulfur source and capping agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that these hierarchical microspheres were made of α-phase MnS. Morphological studies performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods showed that the α-MnS hierarchical microspheres are obtained from the nanocubes by self-assembly due to the main driving force of the minimization of overall surface energy. It is highly expected this research can provide a useful fundamental understanding of shape-controlled synthesis of the semiconductor material with hierarchical microstructures.

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