Flowerlike cubic β-In2S3 microspheres: Synthesis and characterization

Flowerlike cubic beta-indium (III) sulfide (β-In2S3) microspheres were synthesized via a one-step solvothermal route, in which thiosalicylic acid (TSA) and carbon disulfide (CS2) were used as the double sulfur sources. The phase structure, morphology and composition of the products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The thermal behavior and the optical properties were investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) measurements and UV–vis spectrophotometer, respectively. Furthermore, the role of TSA was studied by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and a possible mechanism for the growth of the flowerlike cubic β-In2S3 microspheres was proposed.