Shape-controlled synthesis of iron sulfide nanostructures by thermal decomposition of organometallic precursors

Abstract

Iron sulfide (Fe7S8) nanostructures were synthesized by thermal decomposition of the organometallic precursor in oleylamine. Two novel morphologies of Fe7S8 nanostructures (spike-like nanorod and dendrite nanosheet) can be synthesized only by changing iron sources and temperature (FeSO4·7H2O, FeCl3·6H2O, respectively). The complex structures of Fe7S8 (spike-like nanorod and dendrite nanosheet) were self-assembled by hexagonal plates. The images of scan electron microscopy (SEM) illuminated that the iron source and temperature had strong influence on the size, shape of the Fe7S8 products. The magnetism of iron sulfide (Fe7S8) nanostructures transformed from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism with the different assemblies of Fe7S8 products. The conductivity of dendrite nanosheet was nearly 3 orders higher than that of spike-like nanorod. Oriented growth mechanism was studied. The result showed the spike-like nanorod and dendrite nanosheet structures were the result of a temperature-dependent oriented attachment growth.