Ultrathin β-In2S3 Nanobelts: Shape-Controlled Synthesis and Optical and Photocatalytic Properties

• Published in: Crystal growth & design 2008-07, Vol.8 (7), p.2130-2136
• Main Authors: Du, Weimin, Zhu, Jun, Li, Shixiong, Qian, Xuefeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical synthesis methods; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Low-dimensional structures (superlattices, quantum well structures, multilayers): structure, and nonelectronic properties; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Physics; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation
• ISSN: 1528-7483; 1528-7505
• DOI: 10.1021/cg7009258

Ultrathin β-In2S3 nanobelts have been successfully synthesized via a facile improved solvothermal route. The crystal phase, morphology, crystal lattice and composition of as-prepared products were characterized by XRD, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM and EDS, respectively. Results revealed that the as-synthesized β-In2S3 nanobelts are in cubic structure 50−90 nm in width, 13 ± 2 nm in thickness, and the overall length even up to several microns. A possible shape evolution and crystal growth mechanism was suggested, and the formation of β-In2S3 nanobelts resulted from the preferential growth along the ⟨220⟩ direction and enclosed by {202} and {022̅} crystallographic facets. The strong quantum confinement effect in UV−vis spectra and the blue emission in photoluminescence spectra imply the as-synthesized β-In2S3 nanobelts as a promising candidate for phosphor in display devices. Furthermore, the good photocatalytic effects indicate that these β-In2S3 nanobelts are likely to be applied as a new kind of photocatalyst in the future.