Sonochemistry-assisted microwave synthesis and optical study of single-crystalline CdS nanoflowers

Well-defined flower-like CdS nanostructures have been synthesized by applying ultrasound and microwave simultaneously, which consist of hexagonal nanopyramids and/or nanoplates depending on different sulfur sources. It is shown that the synergistic effect of microwave and sonochemistry is the main mechanism for the formation of the nanoflowers. Optical characterization of the nanoflowers shows a large blue-shift up to 100 nm in comparing with simple low-dimensional CdS nanostructures. This structure induced shift in optical properties may have potential applications in optoelectronics devices, catalysis, and solar cells.