Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of 3D flower-like Bi2S3 superstructures

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) microcrystallines with three-dimensional (3D) flower-like superstructures were prepared by the microwave irradiation method with bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO3)3·5H2O) and thiourea ((NH2)2CS) as raw materials and ethylene glycol as solvent. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows the product belongs to the orthorhombic Bi2S3 phase. The quantification of X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analysis peaks gives an atomic ratio of 1.9:3.0 for Bi:S. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies reveal that the superstructure of the as-prepared Bi2S3 consists of sticks extending radially from a nucleation site. The reaction progress and a possible mechanism were proposed.