Diversified copper sulfide (Cu_2−xS) micro-/nanostructures: a comprehensive review on synthesis, modifications and applications

Abstract

As a significant metal chalcogenide, copper sulfide (CuS, 0 < x < 1), with a unique semiconducting and nontoxic nature, has received significant attention over the past few decades. Extensive investigations have been employed to the various CuS micro-/nanostructures owing to their excellent optoelectronic behavior, potential thermoelectric properties, and promising biomedical applications. As a result, micro-/nanostructured CuS with well-controlled morphologies, sizes, crystalline phases, and compositions have been rationally synthesized and applied in the fields of photocatalysis, energy conversion, in vitro biosensing, and in vivo imaging and therapy. However, a comprehensive review on diversified CuS micro-/nanostructures is still lacking; therefore, there is an imperative need to thoroughly highlight the new advances made in function-directed CuS-based nanocomposites. In this review, we have summarized the important progress made in the diversified CuS micro-/nanostructures, including that in the synthetic strategies for the preparation of 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D micro-/nanostructures (including polyhedral, hierarchical, hollow architectures, and superlattices) and in the development of modified CuS-based composites for enhanced performance, as well as their various applications. Furthermore, the present issues and promising research directions are briefly discussed.

TiO2/rGO/CuS Nanocomposites for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Rhodamine‐B Dye

“…Copper sulfide (Cu x S) is one such semiconductor that is depending on composition which exhibits different phases. The room temperature phases are covellite (CuS), anilite (Cu 1.75 S), digenite (Cu 1.8 S), djurlite (Cu 1.95 S) and chalcocite (Cu 2 S) . Among all these CuS exhibits excellent optoelectronic properties and finds applications in solar cells, optical filters, photocatalytic activity and energy storage devices .…”

Enhancement of Hydrogen Productions by Accelerating Electron-Transfers of Sulfur Defects in the CuS@CuGaS2 Heterojunction Photocatalysts

“…Copper sulfide (Cu 2−x S, 0< x < 1), a non-toxic and conductive chalcogen compound, has been continuously noted for its excellent photoelectric behavior, potential thermal/electrical properties, and unique biomedical properties for decades, and much extensive research on Cu 2−x S micro/nano structures is still being actively conducted. In particular, micro/nanostructured Cu 2−x S with well-controlled shapes, sizes, structures and compositions have already been applied as photocatalytic materials [1], energy conversion materials [2], biosensing materials [3], and bioimaging materials [4] and have shown reasonable results. However, comprehensive reviews of the Cu 2−x S structure in-depth in applications are still lacking.…”

In Situ Microwave‐Assisted Fabrication of Hierarchically Arranged Metal Sulfide Counter Electrodes to Boost Stability and Efficiency of Quantum Dot‐Sensitized Solar Cells

“…This, in turn, leads to the accelerated nucleation and in situ formation of nanomaterials' thin film on the fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) glass. Copper sulfide CEs are the target of extensive studies, and a wide variety of crystalline phases, sizes, and shapes have been attained by a proper choice of precursors and reaction conditions . For instance, control over the rate of sulfur release plays an important role to alter the kinetics of Cu and S reaction that would affect the nucleation and growth manner of Cu 2− x S nanocrystals.…”