Synthesis of hierarchical hollow spherical CdS nanostructures by microwave hydrothermal process

Hierarchical hollow spherical CdS nanostructures were synthesized via a simple microwave hydrothermal(M-H) process using CdCl2·H2O and Na2S2O3·5H2O as raw materials and adding ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as template. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy was used to study the optical properties of CdS. The results demonstrate that the hierarchical hollow spherical CdS with a diameter range of 400-600 nm is self-assembled by nanoparticles of 30 nm and in a wurtzite structure. EDTA and microwave play an important role on the formation of the hollow hierarchical morphology. The effect of the microwave and possible growth mechanism were discussed. UV-vis spectroscopy indicates that the CdS crystallites could be used as a potential blue light emitting material.