Solvothermal synthesis and photocatalytic performance of Bi₂S₃ hierarchical nanostructure

Abstract

The synthesis of Bi₂S₃ hierarchical nanostructure was reported by a solvothermal reaction using ethylene disulfhydrate as the sulfur source and chelating reagent. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL). The XRD, Raman, and XPS data confirmed that the as-synthesized sample belongs to orthorhombic phase Bi₂S₃. The SEM observations displayed that Bi₂S₃ hierarchical nanostructure assembled from nanorods. A 410 nm ultraviolet photoluminescence (PL) emission of as-synthesized Bi₂S₃ was observed when the sample was excited with wavelength of 320-330 nm. The Bi₂S₃ hierarchical nanostructure also shows a significant enhancement of photocatalytic capability toward degrading methyl orange (MO) under UV light, the photodegradation of MO reaches 95% within 180 min.

Keywords

nanostructures / chemical synthesis / luminescence / catalytic properties

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