Well-defined non-spherical copper sulfide mesocages with single-crystalline shells by shape-controlled Cu2O crystal templating

Uniform cubic, octahedral, and star-like copper sulfide mesocages with single-crystalline shells (see figure) are synthesized by the sulfidation of various shape-controlled Cu2O crystals into Cu2O/CuxS core/shell structures, followed by the removal of the inner Cu2O cores. Potential applications of these materials in solar energy conversion, optics, and sensors are envisaged.