On the formation of Bi2S3-cellulose nanocomposite films from bismuth xanthates and trimethylsilyl-cellulose

The synthesis and characterization of bismuth sulfide-cellulose nanocomposite thin films was
explored. The films were prepared using organosoluble precursors, namely bismuth xanthates for
Bi2S3 and trimethylsilyl cellulose (TMSC) for cellulose. Solutions of these precursors were spin
coated onto solid substrates yielding homogeneous precursor films. Afterwards, a heating step
under inert atmosphere led to the formation of thin nanocomposite films of bismuth sulfide
nanoparticles within the TMSC matrix. In a second step, the silyl groups were cleaved off by
vapors of HCl yielding bismuth sulfide/cellulose nanocomposite films. The thin films were
characterized by a wide range of surface sensitive techniques such as atomic force microscopy,
attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and
wettability investigations. In addition, the formation of the nanoparticle directly in the TMSC
matrix was investigated in situ by GI-SWAXS using a temperature controlled sample stage

Please cite this article as: Reishofer, David., Ehmann, Heike M., Amenitsch,
Heinz., Gspan, Christian., Fischer, Roland., Plank, Harald., Trimmel, Gregor.,
& Spirk, Stefan., On the formation of Bi2S3-cellulose nanocomposite films
from bismuth xanthates and trimethylsilyl-cellulose.Carbohydrate Polymers
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.02.008