Microwave synthesis of nanocrystalline Sb2S3 and its electrochemical properties

Nanocrystalline antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) was successfully synthesized via microwave irradiation by the reaction of antimony trichloride (SbCl3) and thiourea (CS(NH2)2) with PVP as the surfactant. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). XRD results show that the as-prepared sample is orthorhombic-phase Sb2S3. TEM image of the as-prepared Sb2S3 shows the rod-like structure. HRTEM image indicates that rodbundles of Sb2S3 consists of a number nanorods with the diameter ranging from 30 nm to 50 nm. Detailed HRTEM image demonstrates the preferential direction growth of the Sb2S3 nanorods. The electrochemical properties of Sb2S3 were primarily investigated by constant current charge/discharge cycling tests in lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) solution. The possible electrochemical reaction mechanism was explained. The results indicate that the nanocrystalline Sb2S3 shows potential application in the field of the electrode materials.