Advances in the fabrication of inorganic sulfides for functional materials: A comprehensive review

This review provides a comprehensive overview of current fabrication techniques for inorganic sulfide structures, with particular emphasis on their synthesis, structural control, and application potential. Inorganic sulfides, especially transition metal sulfides, exhibit unique electronic, optical, and catalytic properties, rendering them highly attractive for applications in semiconductors, optoelectronics, and energy conversion. Various synthesis methods are discussed, including chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, hydrothermal processing, spray pyrolysis, electrodeposition, and physical vapor deposition. Their operational principles, advantages, limitations, and impacts on material properties are systematically analyzed. A comparative discussion highlights how synthesis conditions influence morphology, crystallinity, and functional performance. Furthermore, the review surveys the application landscape of sulfide nanostructures, focusing on photovoltaics, sensors, catalysis, and energy storage systems. It is concluded that although several fabrication methods have reached industrial relevance, challenges related to scalability, environmental sustainability, and process reproducibility remain. Emerging strategies, such as the integration of machine learning and green chemistry principles, offer promising avenues for optimizing sulfide material synthesis. This work thus serves as a valuable resource for materials scientists and engineers seeking to advance the design and production of next-generation sulfide-based technologies.