Flower-shaped nano-CdS clusters grown on biomorphic porous carbon (BPC) substrates have been successfully prepared using a hydrothermal method. Influence of growth time, types of substrate and carbonized temperature on the growth behavior of flower-shaped nano-CdS clusters were studied using XPS, XRD, TGA, and SEM. The results indicated that wurtzite nano-CdS clusters were successfully integrated into the inner wall of BPC with various morphologies: couch grassshaped clusters can grow on the inner wall of BPC derived from pine, sunflower-shaped clusters can grow on that derived from bamboo and chrysanthemum-shaped clusters can grow on that derived basswood. The crystal size of nano-CdS clusters grown for 24 h on BPC derived from pine was approximately 7 nm. The size and number of nano-clusters grown on BPC substrate were mainly affected by the growth time and the substrate carbonized temperature, respectively. Finally, the growth mechanism of nano-CdS clusters on BPC substrates was also discussed.

Keywords: Biomaterials, Semiconductors, Crystal growth, Electron microscopy.