Controlled synthesis of NiS nanoparticle/CdS nanowire heterostructures via solution route and their optical properties

In the present study, we have successfully synthesized the novel heterostructure of NiS nanoparticle (NP)/CdS nanowire (NW) through solution approach. The first step, CdS nanowires were synthesized by a convenient solvothermal route. Then, NiS nanoparticles were grown on the surface of CdS nanowires in a chemical solution of NiCl2·6H2O and anhydrous ethanol at 200 °C. The new catalyst-assisted growth mechanism of the NiS NP/CdS NW heterostructure has been tentatively discussed on the basis of experimental results. A detailed study of the effect of experimental parameters, such as reaction time, reaction temperature, and reaction solvent are also studied. The as-prepared products are characterized by field-emission scan electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and their optical properties are measured by Raman spectra and PL spectra. Furthermore, using CdS nanowires and NiS NP/CdS NW heterostructure as examples, our study suggests that this general method can be employed for construction of other semiconductor heterostructures with novel properties.

Graphical abstractThe novel heterostructure of NiS nanoparticle (NP)/CdS nanowire (NW) was successfully fabricated by a two-step chemical solution method. The novel catalyst-assisted growth mechanism has been proposed according to the experimental results.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► We do not need the surface pretreatments to introduce groups’ interconnectivity. ► There are cation vacancies on the surface, which allows foreign ones to dissolve. ► A novel catalyst-assisted growth mechanism of the heterostructure has been proposed. ► In addition, no NiS NP/CdS NW heterostructure has been reported until now.