One-step synthesis and assembly of copper sulfide nanoparticles to nanowires, nanotubes, and nanovesicles by a simple organic amine-assisted hydrothermal process

A simple organic amine-assisted hydrothermal process has been proposed to simultaneously realize the synthesis and assembly of copper sulfide nanoparticles at low temperature (90 similar to 110 degreesC). Nanowire-like aggregates (average diameter of 120 nm and length of 2 mum) assembled by digenite phase copper sulfide nanoparticles have been synthesized with triethylenediamine (TEDA) as a linking agent. Nanotube-like aggregates (diameter ranging from 40 to 200 nm and length from 400 nm to 4 mum) and nanovesicle-like aggregates (size ranging from 50 to 180 nm), assembled by djurleite phase copper sulfide nanoparticles, have also been obtained by substituting tramethylethylenediamine (TMEA) and di-n-butylamine (DBA) for TEDA, respectively.