Walnut-like In2S3 microspheres: ionic liquid-assisted solvothermal synthesis, characterization and formation mechanism

Abstract

Walnut-like In₂S₃ microspheres were synthesized through an ionic liquid-assisted solvothermal method for the first time. The crystal structure and morphology of the as-synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurement. It was found that the additional amount of ionic liquid, solvothermal temperature and time played crucial roles in controlling the structure and morphology of the In₂S₃ microspheres. A possible formation mechanism of the walnut-like In₂S₃ microsphere was proposed on the basis of the experimental results.