Rice grain like Bi2S3 nanorods and its photocatalytic performance

Highlights: • Rice grain like Bi₂S₃ nanorods prepared via reflux condensation method. • The growth evolution of nanorods was described. • Limitations of the study were included. • Noticed enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light illumination. Rice grain like Bi₂S₃ nanorods (Asian rice) were successfully prepared through thioglycolic acid (HSCH₂COOH, TGA) assisted reflux approach. The phase, morphology and size, crystalline nature were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area diffraction (SAED), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The calculated bandgap via Tauc plot is found to be 1.4 eV which is more than the bulk material (1.3 eV) due to larger average particle size (61.68 nm). The photocatalytic experiment was performed under visible light using methylene blue as a model dye pollutant. Furthermore, a possible growth mechanism for prepared rice grain like Bi₂S₃ nanorods was illustrated. Moreover, the limitations of Bi₂S₃ nanorods synthesized using thioglycolic acid have been discussed.