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

•Cellulose-Bi2S3 nanocomposites have been prepared.•The formation of the nanoparticles was investigated using in-situ GISWAXS.•The properties of the nanocomposite have been investigated in detail. 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.