Ordered arrays of shape tunable CuInS2 nanostructures, from nanotubes to nano test tubes and nanowires

Well-aligned arrays of chalcopyrite CuInS2 one dimensional nanostructures have been prepared in a controllable manner via a convenient wet-chemical approach using anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) as a hard template. Highly oriented CuInS2 nanotubes, nano test tubes and nanowires arrays can be selectively grown by simply varying reaction conditions. Oleylamine (OLA) was found to play a key role in the synthesis and morphology control of the CuInS2 product. The structure, morphology, composition and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The formation mechanism of the CuInS2 arrays is discussed.