Mild hydrothermal synthesis of hexagonal CuS nanoplates

Hexagonal copper sulfide (CuS) nanoplates were successfully prepared by a mild hydrothermal method. The nanoplates consisted of {0 0 1} facets of top–bottom surfaces and {1 1 0} facets of the other six-side surfaces. Stacking faults parallel to {0 0 1} planes were observed for the nanoplates. The obtained products were characterized by means of X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet–visible light (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer. It was found that the morphology, the mean plane size (75–179 nm), and the thickness (18–38 nm) of nanoplates could be controlled by adjusting CTAB concentration, the used quantity of HNO3, and reaction temperature, respectively. The combination of these controls made nanoplates attractive, promising, and abundant building blocks for advanced materials and nanodevices. The possible mechanism of the formation of nanoplates was discussed.