Bi2S3 thin films have been deposited from an aqueous acidic bath using
thioacetamide CH3-CS-NH2 (TAM) as a sulfide ion source. The preparati
ve parameters are optimized and growth mechanism is discussed. X-ray d
iffractograms indicate that the films are polycrystalline in nature. A
microstructural study has been carried out using a scanning electron
microscopy technique. From optical absorption studies the energy bandg
ap of Bi2S3 is estimated to be 1.84 eV. Room temperature resistivity i
s of the order of 10(5) ohm cm.