Optical switches based on nanowires synthesized by molten salt solvent method

Bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3) nanowires have been synthesized for the first time by a one-step, low temperature, ambient pressure, environment friendly molten salt solvent method. The photoelectric response of Bi2S3 nanowire films has been characterized in the visible light of different wavelengths and ultraviolet, and the results indicated its great potential applications as optical sensors/switches and optoelectronic nanodevices with a response time in ∼ ms range.