Large Scale Fabrication of Wurtzite CdS Self-Assembly Using Single Source Molecular Precursor

We have successfully synthesized microsphere and microflower morphological CdS in thermal decomposition and hydrothermal processes using cadmium acetate-thiocyanate complex as a single source precursor, respectively. The as-synthesized CdS was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The influence of decomposition temperatures, cadmium and sulphur precursors on the formation microspheres and microflowers was examined. Both cadmium and sulphur precursors are strongly influencing the final morphology of the CdS. The XRD results indicated formation of well crystallized wurtzite CdS in both hydrothermal and thermal decomposition processes. The XPS results also confirmed the formation of CdS. The potassium acetate formed as a by-product during the cadmium thiocyanate complex preparation played an important role on the CdS microspheres and microflowers formation. Plausible formation mechanisms of microsphere and microflower have been proposed based on the experimental conditions.