Photochemical synthesis and characterization of Bi2S3 nanofibers

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanofibers have been successfully prepared by a photochemical method from an aqueous solution of bismuth nitrate (Bi(NO3)3) and thioacetamide (TAA) in the presence of complexing agents of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) at room temperature. It was found that the irradiation time, the pH of the solution, and the species of complexing agents play important roles in the morphology control of the bismuth sulfate (Bi2S3) nanomaterials. The nanofibers were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and UV-Visible absorption spectra (UV-Vis). Probable mechanisms for the photochemical formation of Bi2S3 nanofibers in aqueous solutions are proposed. The photochemical method is a convenient approach for controlling the shape for other metal sulfide semiconductor nanocrystals.