A simple route to synthesize CuS framework with porosity

A simple route was developed to one-step synthesis of CuS framework with porosity via hydrothermal method using chitosan as template. The BET surface area of as-obtained CuS sample was measured to be 31.72 m2/g and the single point adsorption total pore volume was measured to be 0.1367 cm3/g. The effect of various experimental conditions, including temperature and reagents for the growth of CuS porous structure was investigated. Increase of reaction temperature led to the transformation of morphologies from porous structure to three-dimensional superstructure. The change of copper salt also resulted in great change of the morphologies of CuS samples. The UV–vis absorption and XRD patterns of the CuS samples with different morphologies changed accordingly. Based on the evidence of electron microscope images, the formation mechanism of porous-structured CuS has been proposed. The presence of chitosan in this process is crucial because of their repulsion of charged groups and a coordination effect with Cu2+.