Copper sulfide flakes and nanodisks

Abstract

This paper presents the preparation of unique copper sulfide flakes in CTAB/n-C₅H₁₁OH/n-C₆H₁₄/water microemulsions under hydrothermal conditions at 130 °C. With the pre-addition of n-dodecanethiol to the microemulsions, much smaller hexagonal Cu₂S nanodisks resulted, which self-assembled into a superlattice. The crystal phases, absorption properties, and morphologies were characterized. The formation mechanism of the unique crystals is also discussed.