Wet chemical synthesis of Bi2S3 nanorods for efficient photocatalysis

•Uniform Bi2S3 nanorods (NRs) growing along [001] direction have been synthesized for the first time by a “green” wet chemical route.•The Bi2S3 nanorods have been proved to show high and stable photocatalytic activity for the degradation of persistent toxic organic pollutants under visible (>420 nm) light irradiation.

Uniform Bi2S3 nanorods (NRs) growing along [001] have been synthesized for the first time by a “green” wet chemical route. A possible formation mechanism for the growth process of the Bi2S3 spheres has been proposed. The prepared catalyst is characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalyst shows high and stable photocatalytic activity for the degradation of persistent toxic organic pollutants under visible (>420 nm) light irradiation. More importantly, this synthesis method can be economical for a scale-up process, and may also be applicable to the preparation of other metal sulfides semiconductors for catalysis and other applications.