Facile synthesis of AgInS2 hierarchical flowerlike nanoarchitectures composed of ultrathin nanowires

Abstract

In this work, AgInS₂ hierarchical flowerlike nanoarchitectures, which are composed of ultrathin nanowires, were synthesized by thermolysis of a mixed solution of AgNO₃, InCl₃·4H₂O and n-dodecanethiol at elevated temperature. The average diameter and length of the nanowires composing the nanoarchitectures can reach 5 nm and ∼300 nm, respectively. We investigated the growth process of the nanoarchitectures and the effects of reaction parameters by XRD, SEM and TEM. In particular, the use of InCl₃·4H₂O played a decisive role in the synthesis of the nanoarchitectures. Moreover, it was found that polyhedra formed in the initial reaction time, and then the nanowires grew on the facets of these polyhedra, which resulted in the nanoarchitectures. The reaction temperature and the concentration of metal salts could influence the size of the nanowires.