Synthesis and assembly of Bi2S3 nanoparticles at the water–toluene interface

Nanoparticles of Bi2S3 synthesized at the interface of water and toluene undergo hierarchical assembly yielding nanorods that further aggregate to globules that form a deposit suspended at the interface. The obtained films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The mechanism of growth is ascertained by studying experimental factors that influence this unusual assembly process.