Copper sulfide flakes and nanodisks

This paper presents the preparation of unique copper sulfide flakes in CTAB/n-C5H11OH/n-C6H14/ water microemulsions under hydrothermal conditions at 130 degreesC. With the pre-addition of n-dodecanethiol to the microemulsions, much smaller hexagonal Cu2S nanodisks resulted, which self-assembled into a superlattice. The crystal phases, absorption properties, and morphologies were characterized. The formation mechanism of the unique crystals is also discussed.