Fabrication of SnS2 flower like nanoflake assemblies through thermal evaporation

Uniform as well as flower like patterns of SnS2 nanoflakes were produced by a thermal evaporation process. Interpenetrating phenomenon was observed between the individual nanoflakes during the course of their lateral growth. The interpenetrating growth and controlled vapor concentration as well as the substrate temperature leads to the formation of flower like assemblies of SnS2 nanoflakes. Morphology and growth mechanism of the nanostructures were studied by scanning electron microscopic observations at different stages of the nanoflake growth. The produced nanoflakes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopic measurements. SnS2 nanoflakes were perfectly single crystalline and growth direction of the nanoflakes was along the [101]-lattice plane.