From Self-Assembled Cu(II) Coordination Polymer to Shape-Controlled CuS Nanocrystals

A hydrogen-bonded 1D coordination polymer, {[Cu(HSglu)(H2O)] center dot H2O}(n), 1, has been used as a precursor as well its a sacrificial template to synthesize covellite CuS nanomaterials. A remarkable correlation between the repeating patterns of the metal atoms in the coordination polymer with the preliminary shape of the obtained CuS is revealed from a detailed investigation of the effect of experimental conditions on the final products. The formation mechanism of the final mesostructured product has been explained oil the basis of the role of the chelating ligand and solvents in the self-assembly process.