Facile synthesis of CuS nanoparticles deposited on polymer nanocomposite foam and their effects on microstructural and optical properties

• CuS nanoparticles were deposited onto functionalized MWCNTs in foam like matrix.
• The reactions were assisted by sonication which is a very attractive method.
• Sonication during the reactions overcame the van der Waals interactions in the MWCNTs bundles.
• It is suggested that the band gap energy value of MAO/c-MWCNT/CuS is 2.28 eV.

CuS nano particles synthesized by a sonication process were deposited onto oxidized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in maleic anhydride octane 1 (MAO) copolymer matrix. MWCNTs were prepared by catalytic chemical vapor deposition from ethylene over a Co, Fe/alumina catalyst, MAO was grafted with oxidized MWCNTs under sonication at 353 K for 3 h. CuS nanoparticles were prepared from copper acetate dihydrate and thiocarbamide in this matrix while heating for 2 h. The resulting nanocomposite matrix featured uniform MWCNT dispersion and a peculiar foam-like morphology which was attributed to the effect of ultrasonic cavitation. The mean diameter of the obtained embedded hexagonal CuS nanoparticles was 3.2 nm. The optical band gap of the final product was calculated to be 2.28 eV which suggests that the CuS–MWCNT–MAO nanocomposite can be evaluated as a potential solar protection material.

TEM images of the samples: (a) pristine, (b) c-MWCNTs (sidewall defects of oxidized MWCNTs are marked by an arrow), and (c) MAO/c-MWCNTs/CuS nano composites.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide