Ultrathin β-In2S3Nanobelts: Shape-Controlled Synthesis and Optical and Photocatalytic Properties

Ultrathin β-In 2 S 3 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-In 2 S 3 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-In 2 S 3 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-In 2 S 3 nanobelts as a promising candidate for phosphor in display devices. Furthermore, the good photocatalytic effects indicate that these β-In 2 S 3 nanobelts are likely to be applied as a new kind of photocatalyst in the future.