2.2 Preparation of CuS Nanomaterials
The preparation of CuS was carried out by a simple hydrothermal route. In a typical method, 1
mmol of copper chloride (CuCl2.2H2O) was dissolved in 40 ml of DI water and immediately a pale
green colour solution was formed. Then 3 mmol thiourea (CH4N2S) was added to the above solution
under vigorous stirring for 30 mins to achieve homogenous mixing. A colourless solution was
formed and this final solution was then transferred into a Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave. The
autoclave was heated at 150oC for 5 hrs. After the experiment, the autoclave was brought to room
temperature naturally. The resultant product was recovered carefully, washed with deionised water
and absolute ethanol several times. Finally, the products were dried at 50oC for further
characterization. The same synthesis is repeated with different sulfur source viz. thiourea (CH4N2S)
and sodium thiosulphate (Na2S2O3.5H2O) and two reaction times of 5 hrs and 24 hrs respectively.
2.3 Measurement and Characterization
The particle size and morphology of the products was studied by FE-Scanning Electron Microscopy
(FE-SEM) (HITACHI SU6600 SEM). The phase and the crystallographic structure were identified
by X-ray diffraction (XRD, Philips X' Pert Pro, Cu-Kα: λ=0.1540598 nm). Optical property of CuS
nanostructures was characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometer (JASCO V-670).