Single-Source Route to Bi2S3 Nanorods and their Electrochemical Sensing Properties

A simple and environmentally benign process for the synthesis of Bi2S3 nanorods and their electrochemical sensing properties are desirable to be developed in electrochemical sensor application. Orthorhombic Bi2S3 nanorods have been synthesized via a singlesource approach using bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate as the precursor under hydrothermal conditions. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, IR, UV-vis spectra and electrochemical sensing analysis. The decomposition of the complex bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate produces Bi2S3 nanorods with the average diameter of about 80 nm and length of less than 5 μm. The electrochemical responses of Bi2S3 nanorod modified glassy carbon electrode to cysteine and ascorbic acid are greatly enhanced suggesting that hydrogen ions participate in the electrochemical oxidation process. The electrochemical results demonstrated that the Bi2S3 nanorods are expected to have great potential as the electrochemical sensing cell for detecting cysteine and ascorbic acid.