Hydrothermal Growth of CuS Nanowires from Cu−Dithiooxamide, a Novel Single-Source Precursor

CuS nanowires have been successfully prepared from Cu−dithiooxamide, a novel single-source precursor, by a hydrothermal method at 120 °C for 24 h. The nanowires are 40−80 nm in diameter and up to a few microns long, and a possible reaction mechanism of their formation is proposed. The effects of reaction temperature, duration, and solvents also were studied. X-ray diffraction patterns showed the formation of a covellite form of CuS having a hexagonal phase under hydrothermal conditions. The morphology of the products was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The composition and purity of products were examined by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Optical studies of the products also were carried out.