In Situ Growth of In₂S₃ Nanorods in Poly(3-Hexylthiophene) Hybrid Films

A novel and efficient gas–liquid method for the in situ synthesis of In₂S₃ nanorods in a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) matrix is demonstrated. The method involves a self-contained reaction between Na₂S and HCl that produces H₂S, which reacts with a P3HT/InCl₃ solution resulting in hybrid P3HT/In₂S₃ films. The Na₂S solution is regenerated for further use. The method yielded results in In₂S₃ nanoparticles and nanorods in a P3HT matrix, as observed by transmission electron microscopy. The In₂S₃ nanorods are 3 nm wide and ~30 nm long. The size of the nanorods is dependent on the P3HT concentration. The band gap (E_g) of the resulting In₂S₃/P3HT is in the range of 2.97–3.71 eV, as measured by UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) Charge transfer in the In₂S₃/P3HT was demonstrated by the presence of quenching in the fluorescence spectra of the composite. Chemical composition was investigated by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis, as well as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Both techniques demonstrated the formation of In₂S₃.