Magnetic and Non Magnetic Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Environmental Application

Abstract

A series of crystalline brown colored copper complexes C36H38N4S4Cu (1), C26H32N2S4Cu (2) and C14H26N4O2S4Cu (3) were prepared by simple chemical reactions. These complexes were characterized by melting points and IR (Infra-Red Spectroscopy). Solvothermal method was used for the formation of nanoparticles. These copper complexes were used as single source precursors. Ethylenediamine and octylamine were used as solvents. All synthesized copper sulfide nanoparticles were hexagonal in shape. Copper sulfide nanoparticles synthesized using octylamine as solvent were small and more crystalline as compared to those prepared by ethylenediamine. The size, shape, phase purity, crystallinity and elemental composition was determined by UV, XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), EDS (Energy Dispersive X-Ray) and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy). The crystallinity of the sample was determined by SAED (Selected Area Electron Diffraction). Photocatalytic activity of CuS was studied by degrading an environmental pollutant Congo red in dark, UV and sunlight. Synthesized copper sulfide nanoparticles have shown excellent photocatalytic activity better activity than previously reported in literature.