Low-Temperature Synthesis of Bi2S3 Hierarchical Microstructures via Co-Precipitation and Digestive Process in Aqueous Medium

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanostructures have gained significant attention in the fields of catalysis, optoelectronics, and biomedicine due to their unique physicochemical properties. This paper introduces a simple and cost-effective method for producing Bi2S3 microstructures at low temperatures (25 and 70 °C). These microstructures are formed by the hierarchical self-assembly of Bi2S3 nanoparticles, which are typically 15-40 nm in size. The nanoparticles are synthesized by the co-precipitation of thioglycolic acid, thioacetamide, and bismuth nitrate in water. The study delves into the phase composition and morphological evolution of the microstructures, concerning the chemical composition of the solution and the synthesis temperature. X-ray analysis has confirmed the formation of single-phase bismuthinite Bi2S3. The synthesis process generates primary building blocks in the form of 15-40 nm Bi2S3 nanocrystals, which then go through a hierarchical self-assembly process to produce a range of micrometer-sized structures. A scanning electron microscopy examination revealed that the primary nanoparticles self-assemble into quasi-1D worm-like nanostructures, which then self-assemble to create sponge-shaped microstructures. These structures subsequently self-organize and refine into either flower- or dandelion-like microstructures, mostly depending on the synthesis temperature and the chemistry of the digestion medium.

Trisodium citrate as a modulation additive to increase the cycling capability of a Bi2S3 cathode in a zinc-ion battery

3D Bi₂S₃ materials were prepared by the trisodium citrate (Na₃Cit)-assisted solvothermal method and applied to aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) to explore the effect of the electrode material morphology on the electrochemical performance. As the concentration of Na₃Cit increases, the 3D assembly morphology evolves from coral-like to sphere-like to snowflake-like structures. The electrochemical test results show that the electrode materials of various morphologies possess excellent cycle life, but the specific capacity varies greatly depending on the morphology. Impressively, the Bi₂S₃-1.2 electrode has the best electrochemical performance, with a capacity of 203.5 mA h g^-1 after 4000 charge/discharge cycles at 0.5 A g^-1. Furthermore, the Bi₂S₃-1.2 electrode delivers an ultralong lifetime of over 10 000 cycles with a capacity of 150.2 mA h g^-1 at 1 A g^-1. This work demonstrates a feasible route to prepare ultra-long cycle life AZIBs.

Selective anisotropic growth of Bi2S3 nanoparticles with adjustable optical properties

We report on the controlled synthesis and functionalization in two steps of elongated Bi₂S₃ nanoparticles within a wide range of sizes. First, we show the effect of the temperature and reaction time on the synthesis of two series of nanoparticles by the reaction of thioacetamide with bismuth(III) neodecanoate in the presence of organic surfactants. At 105 °C and long reaction times, nanoneedles of about 45 nm in length containing larger crystallites are obtained, while highly crystalline nanorods of about 30 nm in length are dominant at 165 °C, regardless of the reaction time. The optical properties of both types of nanoparticles show an enhancement of the band gap compared to bulk Bi₂S₃. This is likely to arise from quantum confinement effects caused by the small particle dimensions relative to the typical exciton size, together with an increase in near-infrared absorption due to the anisotropic particle shape. Second, a ligand exchange approach has been developed to transfer the Bi₂S₃ nanoparticles to aqueous solutions by grafting dimercaptosuccinic acid onto the surface of the particles. The as-prepared coated nanoparticles show good stability in water, in a wide biological pH range, and in phosphate-buffered saline solutions. Overall, this work highlights the controlled design at all levels - from the inorganic core to the organic surface coating - of elongated Bi₂S₃ nanoparticles, leading to a tunable optical response by tuning their morphology and size.

Unraveling Atomic-Scale Origins of Selective Ionic Transport Pathways and Sodium-Ion Storage Mechanism in Bi2 S3 Anodes

It is a major challenge to achieve a high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) with high specific capacity, high rate capability, and cycling stability. Bismuth sulfide, which features a high theoretical specific capacity, tailorable morphology, and low cost, has been considered as a promising anode for SIBs. Nevertheless, due to a lack of direct atomistic observation, the detailed understanding of fundamental intercalation behavior and Bi₂ S₃ 's (de)sodiation mechanisms remains unclear. Here, by employing in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, consecutive electron diffraction coupled with theoretical calculations, it is not only for the first time identified that Bi₂ S₃ exhibits specific ionic transport pathways preferred to diffuse along the (110) direction instead of the (200) plane, but also tracks their real-time phase transformations (de)sodiation involving multi-step crystallographic tuning. The finite-element analysis further disclosed multi-reaction induced deformation and the relevant stress evolution originating from the combined effect of the mechanical and electrochemical interaction. These discoveries not only deepen the understanding of fundamental science about the microscopic reaction mechanism of metal chalcogenide anodes but also provide important implications for performance optimization.

Disposable and cost-effective label-free electrochemical immunosensor for prolactin based on bismuth sulfide nanorods with polypyrrole

Prolactin (PRL) is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a vital role in the production of milk after a baby is born. PRL levels are normally elevated in pregnant and nursing women, and high levels of PRL in the human body cause hyperprolactinemia, infertility, galactorrhea, infrequent or irregular periods, amenorrhea, breast pain, and loss of libido. Accordingly, herein, a novel label-free immunosensor using a bismuth sulfide/polypyrrole (Bi2S3/PPy)-modified screen-printed electrode (SPE) for the fast and facile detection of the peptide hormone PRL. Bi2S3 nanorods were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal technique, and PPy was prepared by chemical polymerization method. Subsequently, the Bi2S3/PPy/ SPE was modified with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and EDC/NHS. Owing to the cross-linking effect of EDC/NHS, antibody-PRL (anti-PRL) was firmly stabilized on the modified SPE surface. These layer-by-layer modifications enhanced the conducting properties, anti-PRL loading capacity, and sensitivity of the developed immunosensor. Under optimized conditions, the PRL immunosensor demonstrated a broad linear range of approximately 1-250 ng/mL, a low detection limit of approximately 0.130 ng/mL (3 × SD/b), good specificity, reproducibility, and stability. PRL was successfully evaluated in human and mouse serum samples, and the corresponding outcomes were compared with those of the electrochemical and ELISA methods.

γ-CuI from ionic liquid/poly(ionic liquid)s precursors with controllable morphologies and improved photocatalytic performance

γ-phase copper(I) iodide (abbreviated to CuI hereafter) with different morphologies is realized through a one-step redox process from I-containing ionic liquid (IL) or poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) precursors at room temperature. The phase composition, morphology, and electronic states of the synthesized CuI samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The resulting CuI products exhibit three different types of morphologies, namely nanocrystals, with an average size of 0.8 ± 0.2 μm, nanoplates, with a thickness of 35.8 ± 0.9 nm, and nanoflowers, with petals with a thickness of 12.2 ± 0.8 nm. Moreover, the as-synthesized CuI samples exhibit gradually diminishing bandgaps and improved photocatalysis performance for the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation as the thickness decreases. XPS measurements confirm that IL/PILs coupled to the CuI surface, resulting in a further charge transfer between Cu and I. These results conclusively prove that IL/PILs serve as both the reducing agents and assemble as orientation templates in the formation of the CuI nanostructures, and also successfully mediate the functional properties of the samples by changing the surface electronic structures.

Implementation of Bismuth Chalcogenides as an Efficient Anode: A Journey from Conventional Liquid Electrolyte to an All-Solid-State Li-Ion Battery

Bismuth chalcogenide (Bi2X3; X = sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te)) materials are considered as promising materials for diverse applications due to their unique properties. Their narrow bandgap, good thermal conductivity, and environmental friendliness make them suitable candidates for thermoelectric applications, photodetector, sensors along with a wide array of energy storage applications. More specifically, their unique layered structure allows them to intercalate Li+ ions and further provide conducting channels for transport. This property makes these suitable anodes for Li-ion batteries. However, low conductivity and high-volume expansion cause the poor electrochemical cyclability, thus creating a bottleneck to the implementation of these for practical use. Tremendous endeavors have been devoted towards the enhancement of cyclability of these materials, including nanostructuring and the incorporation of a carbon framework matrix to immobilize the nanostructures to prevent agglomeration. Apart from all these techniques to improve the anode properties of Bi2X3 materials, a step towards all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries using Bi2X3-based anodes has also been proven as a key approach for next-generation batteries. This review article highlights the main issues and recent advances associated with Bi2X3 anodes using both solid and liquid electrolytes.

Hierarchical Co3O4@N-Doped Carbon Composite as an Advanced Anode Material for Ultrastable Potassium Storage

Cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄) delivers a poor capacity when applied in large-sized alkali metal-ion systems such as potassium-ion batteries (KIBs). Our density functional theory calculation suggests that this is due to poor conductivity, high diffusion barrier, and weak potassium interaction. N-doped carbon can effectively attract potassium ions, improve conductivity, and reduce diffusion barriers. Through interface engineering, the properties of Co₃O₄ can be tuned via composite design. Herein, a Co₃O₄@N-doped carbon composite was designed as an advanced anode for KIBs. Due to the interfacial design of the composite, K⁺ were effectively transported through the Co₃O₄@N-C composite via multiple ionic pathways. The structural design of the composite facilitated increased Co₃O₄ spacing, a nitrogen-doped carbon layer reduced K-ion diffusion barrier, and improved conductivity and protected the electrode from damage. Based on the entire composite, a superior capacity of 448.7 mAh/g was delivered at 50 mA/g after 40 cycles, and moreover, 213 mAh/g was retained after 740 cycles when cycled at 500 mA/g. This performance exceeds that of most metal-oxide-based KIB anodes reported in literature.

A versatile dendritical amplification photoelectric biosensing platform based on Bi2S3 nanorods and a perylene-based polymer for signal “on” and “off” double detection of DNA

A novel versatile dendritical amplification photoelectric biosensing platform using Bi₂S₃ nanorods and a perylene-based polymer as double signal probes is proposed for the detection of trace target DNA.

Nitrogen-enriched carbon-coated flower-like bismuth sulfide architectures towards high-performance lithium-ion battery anodes

The nitrogen-enriched carbon-coated flower-like bismuth sulfide architectures prepared by a simple synthetic progress offer a very high reversible capacity, an improved rate capability and a satisfactory cycle life.

Flower-like Bi2S3 nanostructures as highly efficient anodes for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries

Herein, we introduce the detailed electrochemical reaction mechanism of Bi₂S₃ (bulk as well as nanostructure) as a highly efficient anode material with Li-ions in an all-solid-state Li-ion battery (LIB). Flower-like Bi₂S₃ nanostructures were synthesized by a hydrothermal method and were used as an anode material in a LIB with LiBH₄ as a solid electrolyte. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern verified the formation of Bi₂S₃ nanostructures, which belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system (JCPDS no. 00-006-0333) with the Pbnm space group. Morphological studies confirmed the flower-like structure of the obtained product assembled from nanorods with the length and diameter in the range of 150–400 nm and 10–150 nm respectively. The electrochemical galvanostatic charge–discharge profile of these nanostructures demonstrates exciting results with a high discharge and charge capacity of 685 mA h g⁻¹ & 494 mA h g⁻¹ respectively at 125 °C. The discharge and charge capacities were observed as 375 mA h g⁻¹ and 352 mA h g⁻¹ after 50 cycles (with 94% coulombic efficiency), which are much better than the cells having bulk Bi₂S₃ as the anode material.

Bi₂S₃ with a hydride based solid electrolyte (LiBH₄) was demonstrated to exhibit high capacity Li-storage for the first time. Nano Bi₂S₃ aids the better cyclic performance than commercially available bulk Bi₂S₃ with a very low capacity decay.

Ultrasonic irradiation-assisted synthesis of Bi2S3 nanoparticles in aqueous ionic liquid at ambient condition

In this work, an easy, fast and environmentally friendly method to obtain Bi₂S₃ nanostructures with sphere-like morphology is introduced. The promising material was successfully synthesized by a sonochemical route in 20% 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate [EMIM][EtSO₄] ionic liquid solution (IL). Morphological studies by electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) show that the use of IL in the synthesis of Bi₂S₃ favors the formation of nanocrystals non-agglomerated. Micro Raman and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) were used to determine the composition and purity of the synthesized material. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and selective area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed that ultrasonic radiation accelerated the crystallization of Bi₂S₃ into orthorhombic bismuthinite structure. The band gap calculated from the diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) was found to be 1.5eV.

Li3PO4 Matrix Enables a Long Cycle Life and High Energy Efficiency Bismuth-Based Battery

Bismuth is a lithium-ion battery anode material that can operate at an equilibrium potential higher than graphite and provide a capacity twice as high as that of Li4Ti5O12, making it intrinsically free from lithium plating that may cause catastrophic battery failure. However, the potential of bismuth is hampered by its inferior cyclability (limited to tens of cycles). Here, we propose an "ion conductive solid-state matrix" approach to address this issue. By homogeneously confining bismuth nanoparticles in a solid-state γ-Li3PO4 matrix that is electrochemically formed in situ, the resulting composite anode exhibits a reversible capacity of 280 mA hours per gram (mA h/g) at a rate of 100 mA/g and a record cyclability among bismuth-based anodes up to 500 cycles with a capacity decay rate of merely 0.071% per cycle. We further show that full-cell batteries fabricated from this composite anode and commercial LiFePO4 cathode deliver a stable cell voltage of ∼2.5 V and remarkable energy efficiency up to 86.3%, on par with practical batteries (80-90%). This work paves a way for harnessing bismuth-based battery chemistry for the design of high capacity, safer lithium-ion batteries to meet demanding applications such as electric vehicles.

Synthesis and visible light responsed photocatalytic activity of Sn doped Bi2S3 microspheres assembled by nanosheets

The Sn⁴⁺ could act as trapping site of photo-generated electrons to promote the photocatalytic activity.

Solvothermal synthesis and electrochemical properties of S-doped Bi2Se3 hierarchical microstructure assembled by stacked nanosheets

Hierarchical S-doped Bi₂Se₃ microspheres assembled by stacked nanosheets were successfully synthesized as the anode of a lithium ion battery, which shows an initial discharge capacity of 771.3 mA h g⁻¹ with great potential in energy storage.

Taking bismuthinite to bismuth sulfide nanorods in two easy steps

Treatment of bismuthinite with aryldithioc acids under sonication leads easily to the formation and isolation of bismuth(iii) aryldithioate complexes [Bi(S₂CAr)₃] which decompose readily to give well formed Bi₂S₃ nanorods.

3D Hierarchical Bi2S 3 Nanostructures by Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Chloride Ion-Assisted Synthesis and Their Photodetecting Properties

A solvothermal method has been employed to synthesize bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) with three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical architectures. The influences of different types of surfactants and Cl(-) species on the size and morphology were investigated. A possible formation mechanism was also proposed on the basis of time-dependent experiments. The photoresponse properties show that the conductivity of Bi2S3 micro-flowers is significantly enhanced and the photocurrent is approximately two orders of magnitude larger than the dark current. The response and decay times are estimated to be 142 and 151 ms, respectively. It is expected that hierarchical architectures Bi2S3 may provide a new pathway to develop advanced nanomaterial for high-speed and high-sensitivity photoelectrical switches and photodetecting devices.

Engineering Bi2O3-Bi2S3 heterostructure for superior lithium storage

Bismuth oxide may be a promising battery material due to the high gravimetric (690 mAh g(-1)) and volumetric capacities (6280 mAh cm(-3)). However, this intrinsic merit has been compromised by insufficient Li-storage performance due to poor conductivity and structural integrity. Herein, we engineer a heterostructure composed of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and bismuth sulphide (Bi2S3) through sulfurization of Bi2O3 nanosheets. Such a hierarchical Bi2O3-Bi2S3 nanostructure can be employed as efficient electrode material for Li storage, due to the high surface areas, rich porosity, and unique heterogeneous phase. The electrochemical results show that the heterostructure exhibits a high Coulombic efficiency (83.7%), stable capacity delivery (433 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at 600 mA g(-1)) and remarkable rate capability (295 mAh g(-1) at 6 A g(-1)), notably outperforming reported bismuth based materials. Such superb performance indicates that constructing heterostructure could be a promising strategy towards high-performance electrodes for rechargeable batteries.

CuS–Bi2S3 hierarchical architectures: controlled synthesis and enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance for dye degradation

Novel CuS–Bi₂S₃ heterojunctions were fabricated by a one-step solvothermal method using glycol as solvent and l-lysine as structure-directing reagent. The composites showed enhanced photocatalytic activity towards dye degradation under visible light.

One-pot controlled synthesis of sea-urchin shaped Bi2S3/CdS hierarchical heterostructures with excellent visible light photocatalytic activity

Sea-urchin shaped Bi₂S₃/CdS hierarchical heterostructures were synthesized via a one-pot solvothermal route, which exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Facile solvothermal synthesis of 3D flowerlike β-In2S3 microspheres and their photocatalytic activity performance

Three-dimension (3D) flowerlike β-In₂S₃ microspheres have been successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method using thioacetamide (TAA, CH₃CSNH₂) as both a sulfur source and ligand of In³⁺ in the ethanol–water system.

Bismuth Oxide: A New Lithium-Ion Battery Anode

Bismuth oxide directly grown on nickel foam (p-Bi₂O₃/Ni) was prepared by a facile polymer-assisted solution approach and was used directly as a lithium-ion battery anode for the first time. The Bi₂O₃ particles were covered with thin carbon layers, forming network-like sheets on the surface of the Ni foam. The binder-free p-Bi₂O₃/Ni shows superior electrochemical properties with a capacity of 668 mAh/g at a current density of 800 mA/g, which is much higher than that of commercial Bi₂O₃ powder (c-Bi₂O₃) and Bi₂O₃ powder prepared by the polymer-assisted solution method (p-Bi₂O₃). The good performance of p-Bi₂O₃/Ni can be attributed to higher volumetric utilization efficiency, better connection of active materials to the current collector, and shorter lithium ion diffusion path.

Uniform Chrysanthemum-Like Bi2S3 Microspheres for Dye-Sensitised Solar Cells

3D uniform Bi2S3 chrysanthemum-like microspheres with 1D nanowire-assembly were prepared through a facile one-step hydrothermal route, using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a soft template, and Bi(NO3)3 and thiourea as Bi and S sources, respectively. PVP molecules played an important role in the formation of uniform 3D Bi2S3 nanostructures. The reasonable formation mechanism of uniform chrysanthemum-shaped Bi2S3 microspheres was also proposed. Photovoltaic properties were studied preliminarily to demonstrate potential application in dye-sensitised solar cells for the replacement of scarce platinum as counter electrode.