Synthesis and Characterizations of Monodispersed Nanospheres of β-CuSCN Using CuO as the Precursor

Abstract

Monodispersed nanospheres of β-CuSCN with an average diameter of 10-40 nm have been prepared by a simple reactions between CuO, (NH₂OH)₂ · H₂SO₄, and NaSCN in the presence of gelatin at 50°C. Gelatin played a decisive role as an inhibitor of the direct attack of NH₂OH, SCN⁻ ions to CuO surfaces and coagulation of the growing CuSCN in producing the monodispersed nanospheres. The products were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectra techniques.

Keywords:

• β-CuSCN
• monodispersed nanospheres
• semiconductor

This work was supported by the Nature Science Foundation of Hubei Province (2004ABA095), the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Nos. 20325516, 60171004).