Copper sulfide nanoribbon growth triggered by carbon nanotube aggregation via dialysis

Abstract

The growth of copper sulfide (Cu_xS) nanoribbons, a class of Cu_xS nanomaterials, was achieved by the aggregation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a dialysis process. The obtained nanoribbon structure and its constituent elements on a film of SWCNT aggregates were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmittance electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The subsequently obtained TEM images and Raman spectra revealed that nucleus synthesis and subsequent growth of Cu_xS nanoribbons occurred during the aggregation of SWCNTs. The growth procedure described in this work provides an approach for the wet chemical synthesis of metal sulfide nanomaterials.