Nanocrystalline copper sulfide of varying morphologies and stoichiometries in a low temperature solvothermal process using a new single-source molecular precursor

Surfactantless synthesis of copper sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) with varied morphologies such as hexagonal rods, rhombohedral, and spherical, has been carried out via low-temperature thermolysis of a new single-source precursor, [Cu(SMDTC)Cl-2], (where SMDTC is S-methyl dithiocarbazate). The reaction parameters e.g., temperature and nature of solvent can be used to control the size and morphology of the nanoparticles. It is observed that the solvents played an important role to control the morphology and stoichiometry of copper sulfide. The anisotropic absorption by the chelating solvent (diamine or ethyleneglycol) at the different facets of the newborn microcrystals results the growth of one-dimensional (ID) copper sulfide NPs. The possible formation mechanism of copper sulfide NPs has also been discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.