Synthesis of CdS cauliflower-like microspheres via a template-free hydrothermal method

The cauliflower-like CdS microspheres consisting of the nanoblocks were prepared via one step template-free approach employing a hydrothermal process using CdCl2·2½H2O and Na2S2O3·5H2O as precursors in the aqueous solution. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) indicated that the flower-like CdS microspheres with diameters of about 3µm were constructed with CdS nanoparticles. The products also were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD) and the crystalline sizes are <100nm according to the Scherrer formula. Optical investigation showed that the obtained CdS microspheres have an UV–vis absorption at about 610nm. And the possible formation process of the flower-like CdS microspheres is proposed.