CdS nanorod-based structures: From two- and three-dimensional leaves to flowers

A simple biomolecule-mediated process has been used to direct the growth and assembly of CdS nanorods. Many kinds of biomolecules such as amino acids (glycine, serine), peptides (glycyl-glycine, glutathione), protein (gelatin, lysozyme), protein metabolism product (guanidine), RNA base (uracil), and pyrimidine (uridine) have been utilized. A series of complex CdS nanorod-based structures have been first synthesized in high yields, including three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) leaflike structures and flower-like structures by assembly of CdS nanorods. The products' morphology and structure have been confirmed to correspond to the used biomolecules' type and structure. This directed-assembly method using biomolecules may facilitate the assembly of complex nanostructures and would theoretically lead to more and more complicated and useful nanostructures in the future.