Hydrothennal synthesis of 3D α-MnS flowerlike nanoarchitectures

Complex three dimensional (31) alpha-MnS flowerlike hierarchical architectures with 1-2 mm in diameter built up of ultrathin nanosheets, with similar to 600 nm in length, 150-300 nm in width, and about 10-20 nm in thickness, have been synthesized firstly by a simple hydrothermal method free from templates or matrixes and organic additives. Adjacent flowerlike architectures can further expand and eventually self-assemble themselves into interconnected porous continuous networks. Selected area electron diffraction (SEAD) pattern and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) image indicate that the nanosheet is a well-developed single crystal. Studies show that the formation of complexes in the reaction system is vital to the morphology of the final product. A clear perspective is shown here that more complex nanostructured materials could be chemically synthesized. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.