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

Walnut-like In(2)S(3) 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 In(2)S(3) microspheres. A possible formation mechanism of the walnut-like In(2)S(3) microsphere was proposed on the basis of the experimental results.