Effect of pyridine as a ligand in precursor on morphology of CdS nanoparticles

[Cd(thqdtc)2], [Cd(thqdtc)2(py)] and [Cd(thqdtc)2(2,2′-bipy)] (where thqdtc = 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinecarbodithioate; py = pyridine; 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been found to be effective single source precursors for the preparation of diethylenetriamine capped CdS nanoparticles via solvothermal method. Flower-like and rod-like CdS nanoparticles were prepared at a relatively low temperature by thermolysis of the precursors using chelating solvent diethylenetriamine. Use of [Cd(thqdtc)2] and [Cd(thqdtc)2(2,2′-bipy)] afforded rod-shaped nanoparticles and flower-like nanoparticles obtained from [Cd(thqdtc)2(py)]. UV–Visible spectroscopy established pronounced quantum confinement effect. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed hexagonal crystal phase for so obtained CdS nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were also characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectroscopy.

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► First time CdS nanoparticles were prepared from pyridine adduct, [Cd(thqdtc)2(py)].
► Two min preparation of CdS nanorods and flower-like nanoparticles were reported.
► Reasons for the formation of different morphology have been discussed.
► Diethylenetriamine acts as a shape-directing agent in this solvothermal method.
► Pyridine as a ligand in precursor affects morphology of CdS nanoparticles.