Obtaining of Luminescent Sulfur Nanoparticles in the L-Cysteine-Citrate-Sodium Sulfide System

An obtaining of sulfur nanoparticles by hydrothermal method in aqueous solution of L-cysteine, citrate ions, and sodium sulfide is proposed. The optical properties of the obtained sulfur nanoparticles have been studied by UV-Visible absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies. Transmission and scanning electron microscopies and atomic force microscopy indicate that sulfur nanoparticles are quasi-spherical, their diameter depends on heat treatment time reaching an average size of 28 nm after 8 h of heating at 378 K. The nanoparticles exhibit photoluminescence in the range from 388 to 515 nm depending on the excitation wavelength. The obtained colloid systems have lasting sedimentation stability and high photoluminescence intensity, which make them promising for further wide application.

Automated summary

This study proposes a hydrothermal method to obtain sulfur nanoparticles in an aqueous solution containing L-cysteine, citrate ions, and sodium sulfide. The optical properties of the nanoparticles were analyzed using UV-Visible absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The nanoparticles showed quasi-spherical shapes, with an average size of 28 nm after 8 hours of heating at 378 K. They exhibited photoluminescence in the range of 388 to 515 nm depending on the excitation wavelength. The obtained colloid systems were found to have lasting sedimentation stability and high photoluminescence intensity, making them promising for various applications.