A facile single-source route to CdS nanorods

CdS nanorods were synthesized on a large scale by thermolyzing a single-source precursor, (Me₄N)₄[S₄Cd ₁₀(SPh)₁₆], in a single surfactant system. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and x-ray powder diffraction (XRD) have been used to characterize the morphology and crystal structure of the sample. The TEM images show that the CdS nanorods are uniform with an aspect ratio of about 9:1. The XRD result demonstrates that the nanorods are in a wurtzite structure. The nanorods exhibit quantum size effects from the optical absorption spectrum. The influence of reaction conditions on the growth of CdS nanorods demonstrates that high precursor concentration and high reaction temperature (>190°C) are favorable for the formation of CdS nanorods.