Preparation of CuS with Flower-Like Morphology by Water/Ethanol Solvothermal Synthesis

Abstract

CuS, with a flower-like morphology, has been prepared using a facile solvothermal treatment, with copper chloride (CuCl₂.2H₂O) and thiourea (CH₄N₂S) in water and dilute ethanol (water/ethanol = 1/1), at 150°C for 15 h without the assistance of a surfactant. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and UV–vis optical absorption spectroscopy. The resultant CuS flowers, with diameters ˜5 µm, were assembled by sheets. The influences of different solvent systems and varying copper sources on the CuS morphology were also investigated. The results reveal that the hydrophilicity, polarity, and viscosity of the solvent have great influences on the morphology and size of the CuS products. The possible growth mechanisms of flower-like CuS were discussed. The optical properties of the products were also recorded by means of UV-vis absorption spectroscopy

Keywords:

• copper sulfide
• flower-like morphology
• solvothermal synthesis
• hydrophilic

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51375471), the major project of Xinjiang Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision (No. 2013–01), and the Science and Technology Project of State Quality Inspection Administration (2013QK086).