Molecular precursor driven synthesis of phase pure tin sulfide nanosheets and investigation of their photoresponsive behaviour

Abstract

Tin Sulfide (SnS) has emerged as an important semiconductor for photovoltaics, thermoelectric and as high-capacity anode material for alkali-ion batteries. However, producing phase pure SnS free from higher tin sulfides (SnS2 and Sn2S3) having different optoelectronic properties, is a challenging task. In this report, we present a structurally characterized single source molecular precursor (SSP), [tBu2Sn(SpymMe2)2], for the facile synthesis of phase pure orthorhombic SnS nanosheets in different high boiling solvents (oleylamine, octadecene, dodecanthiol) with varying coordination ability. As-prepared SnS nanosheets were thoroughly checked for its phase purity, elemental composition and morphology through pXRD and electron microscopic techniques. A distinct variation in crystallite size, morphology and band gap of nanosheets as function of reaction solvent was observed during investigation. Finally, the as prepared SnS nanosheets derived from SSP exhibit high photoresponsitivity and photostability which make them promising candidate for alternative low-cost photon absorber material.