Synthesis and characterizations of porous spherical CuSCN nanoparticles

Porous spheres of CuSCN nanoparticles with an average diameter of 0.4-0.6 μm have been prepared by a simple reaction between CuO suspension, NH2OH and KSCN in the presence of gelatin at 10 °C. Gelatin played a decisive role as an inhibitor of the direct attack of NH2OH, KSCN to CuO surfaces and coagulation of the growing CuSCN in producing porous spheres. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectra techniques.