Shape-controlled synthesis and properties of dandelion-like manganese sulfide hollow spheres

Dandelion-like gamma-manganese (II) sulfide (MnS) hollow spheres assembled with nanorods have been prepared via a hydrothermal process in the presence of l-cysteine and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). l-cysteine was employed as not only sulfur source, but also coordinating reagent for the synthesis of dandelion-like MnS hollow spheres. The morphology, structure and properties of as-prepared products have been investigated in detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and photoluminescence spectra (PL). The probable formation mechanism of as-prepared MnS hollow spheres was discussed on the basis of the experimental results. This strategy may provide an effective method for the fabrication of other metal sulfides hollow spheres.