Room-temperature synthesis from molecular precursors and photocatalytic activities of ultralong Sb2S3 nanowires

Starting from molecular precursors antimony O-ethyldithiocarbonate (ethyl xanthate, (C2H5OCS2)(3)Sb), ultralong Sb2S3 nanowires with a diameter in the range of 5-10 nm were easily synthesized at room temperature by employing ethylenediamine both as solvent and a bidentate ligand. By varying crystallization duration, the shape of Sb2S3 particles evolved from belts, tubes and finally to nanowires through the well-known rolling process. This synthetic route was workable for the preparation of other chalcogenides such as ZnS and PbS particles with well-defined nanostructures. The photocatalytic experiment of the as-prepared Sb2S3 nanowires under visible light indicated that the photodegradation ratio of methyl orange in aqueous solution was up to 95% after 25 min of irradiation, which was much better than that of its bulk counterparts under the same conditions. High efficiency resulted from the broad spectrum response and high surface area nature of the as-synthesized Sb2S3 nanowires.