The fabrication of hollow cubic-like CuInS2 cages using Cu2O crystals as sacrificing template

• A conversion of Cu2O nanocrystals into hollow cubic-like CuInS2 cages has been achieved.
• The formation of hollow structures could be attributed to the Kirkendall effect.
• Ostwald ripening process also plays an important role.
• Surfactants are necessary to the formation of these hollow structures.

Hollow cubic-like CuInS2 cages were prepared with cubic Cu2O nanocrystals as self-sacrificing template through solvothermal process. The formation of these hollow structures could be attributed to the migration of copper ions and the copy of cubic Cu2O template based on the Kirkendall effect and the Ostwald ripening process. Such process and mechanism might be extended to synthesize other hollow ternary chalcogenide materials.