Selected synthesis of CuS nanotubes and hollow nanospheres at room temperature

A solution route has been developed to synthesize covellite (CuS) nanostructures through the precitation reaction of CuCl2 center dot 2H(2)O, thiourea (Tu), and NaHCO3 in distilled water at room temperature. By regulating the concentration of Tu, CuS nanotubes and hollow nanospheres with diameters of 100-200 nm have been selectively prepared. Structural characterizations indicate that both nanotubes and hollow spheres are composed of CuS nanoparticles with diameters of about 5-10 nm. UV-Vis absorption and room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra display different morphology-related absorption phenomena for nanotubes and hollow nanospheres. A systematic investigation has been carried out to understand the factors influencing the CuS morphology. Two different routes are identified to explain the formation of the nanotubes and hollow nanospheres herein.