Microemulsion-directed synthesis of different CuS nanocrystals

Through a microemulsion-directed route, CuS nanoparticles, nanorods, nanowires and tube-like structures were prepared while different quantities of surfactant were used. The arrangement of the microemulsion vesicles directed the growth behavior of the nanocrystals. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate the different morphology of the as-synthesized products. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction (ED) were applied to characterize the properties of the products obtained. The mechanism of the nanocrystals with different shapes is discussed.