Marigold-like Cu_(x(x=1.81,2))S nanocrystals: controllable synthesis, field emission, and photocatalytic properties

摘要

Cubic marigold-like Cu_2S nanostructures were synthesized from a facile hydrothermal process without using any additives or surfactants. After thermal annealed at different condition, monoclinic Cu_2S and tetragonal Cu_(1.81)S nanostructures were obtained for the first time, maintaining the marigold-like morphology undestroyed. Field emission (FE) properties of these three types of nanostructures were investigated for the first time. The results indicated that the tetragonal Cu_(1.81)S nanostructures had excellent field emission performance with turn-on field of ～2.1 V/μm and threshold field of ～5.2 V/μm. Moreover, their photocatalytic properties of the three nanostructures were also investigated by photodegradating methylene blue (MB). The results showed that the tetragonal Cu_(1.81)S nanostructures may be a competitive material in both field emission and photo-catalytic applications.