Seeded-synthesis and characterization of CdS hexagonal nanoplates

• CdS hexagonal nanoplates were prepared by a solvothermal seeded synthesis.
• CuS acted as the preformed seeds due to its lower solubility product constant (Ksp).
• CdS had good matches with CuS in the crystal structures and the {100}/{101} facets.
• The heteroepitaxial growth of CdS on CuS seeds led to CdS hexagonal nanoplates.

CdS hexagonal nanoplates were prepared by a seeded growth mechanism in a one-pot solvothermal synthesis, where CuS was precipitated from solution before CdS and subsequently acted as the preformed seeds due to its relatively low solubility product constant (Ksp) compared to CdS. The morphology, crystal structure and optical property of the as-prepared nanoplates were characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, EDS, Raman and UV–vis absorption spectra. Our results showed both CdS and CuS crystallized in the hexagonal structure and that they had good matches with each other in the crystal planes of both {100} and {101}. The formation of CdS hexagonal nanoplates was attributed to the heteroepitaxial growth of CdS on CuS seeds at the highly reactive {100} and {101} crystal planes.