Laser photodeposition of sulfur and room-temperature solid-state reaction with copper

Ultraviolet laser photolysis of thiirane (C4H2S) allows chemical vapor deposition of sulfur-containing solid which undergoes room-temperature reaction with copper and yields sub-μm-sized amorphous filamentary CuS/Cu2S/C/H structures incorporating CuS and Cu2S nanograins. Properties of these structures were examined by Fourier transform infrared, Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and by electron microscopy. The results demonstrate the occurrence of reaction between solid sulfidizing reagent and copper at room temperature.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Ultraviolet laser photolysis of thiirane for deposition of sulfur/polythiene composite. ► Solid state reaction between copper and photodeposited sulfur at room temperature. ► Formation of sub-microscopic filaments containing nanograins of copper sulfides.