Uniform In2S3 octahedron-built microspheres: Bioinspired synthesis and optical properties

Uniform In₂S₃ octahedron-built microspheres were synthesized by using a mild hydrothermal treatment in the presence of L-glutamic acid at 180 °C. The microsphere with an average size of 5 μm was composed of interconnected octahedrons with diameters in the range from 100 to 150 nm. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The synthesis of various hollow and solid sphere structures and flower structures was achieved using different amino acids. This is the first report on synthesizing In₂S₃ nanostructures using different amino acids to modulate the morphology of the final products. Primary photoluminescence studies on the prepared In₂S₃ microspheres show promising results.