One-pot solvothermal route to self-assembly of cauliflower-shaped CdS microspheres

► Nearly monodispersed cauliflower-shaped CdS microspheres were synthesized through a facile one pot solvothermal route on a large scale. ► The possible formation mechanism of the cauliflower shaped CdS microspheres was discussed in detail. ► The as-obtained cauliflower-shaped CdS nanostructures exhibited higher photovoltaic performance compared with CdS nanoparticles.