Synthesis and characterization of single-crystal Sb2S3 nanotubes via an EDTA-assisted hydrothermal route

Single-crystalline Sb2S3 nanotubes have been successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. It was found that ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plays a key role in the formation of Sb2S3 nanotubes. Without EDTA, only irregular particles with a size of several micrometers were produced. The morphology and structure of the obtained Sb2S3 nanotubes were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDS analysis in detail. UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy was further employed to estimate the band gap energy of the obtained products. The measurement of the optical properties revealed that the obtained nanotubes have a band gap of 1.55 eV. The obtained Sb2S3 nanotubes may find potential applications in photoelectronic and solar energy because the experimental band gap is close to the optimum value for photovoltaic conversion.