A convenient synthesis of nanocrystalline chalcopyrite, CuFeS2 using single-source precursors

Nanocrystalline chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) have been synthesized using single-source precursors, CuL2 and Cu(LH)(2)Cl-2 (where LH = monoacetylferrocene thiosemicarbazone) by pyrolysis and solvothermal decomposition methods. The nanocrystals were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The magnetic character was determined by the hysteresis loop. CuFeS2 nanocrystallites prepared by the pyrolysis of CuL2 and Cu(LH)(2)Cl-2 have a cubic phase and rod-like morphology with diameters of about 18 and 15 nm, respectively, and lengths of about 195-390 and 100-145 nm, respectively. However, CuFeS2 nanoparticles obtained by solvothermal route from CuL2 and Cu(LH)(2)Cl-2, which are capped with ethylene glycol, possess a nearly spherical shape with an average grain size of 16 and 11 nm, respectively. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.