Biomolecule assisted hydrothermal synthesis of chainlike network of silver sulfide nanostructures

A L-cysteine assisted hydrothermal route has been utilized for the growth of Ag ₂S nanostructures with chainlike network. It was observed that the experimental parameters such as the synthesis temperature and variation in the molar ratio of the anionic and cationic precursors play critical role in determining the morphology and crystal structure of the products. X-ray diffraction study revealed the formation of monoclinic acanthite Ag ₂S. L-cysteine was acting as complexing agent as well as sulfur source. The branching fractal morphology was explained through Cayley tree model and structure of L-cysteine.