Ionic Liquid-Assisted Synthesis of CuS Nestlike Hollow Spheres Assembled by Microflakes Using an Oil−Water Interface Route

In order to enrich the variety of copper sulfide and enhance its currently existing applications, CuS nestlike hollow spheres assembled by microflakes were successfully synthesized through an oil−water interface route employing copper chloride, carbon disulfide, and sulfur as the starting materials in the presence of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The composition, morphology, and structure of the product were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The optical properties of the copper sulfide microstructures were investigated by UV−visible absorption spectra. Nestlike CuS microstructures were also explored as an additive to promote the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate, and a thermogravimetric analysis technique was applied to investigate its catalytic performance. The results demonstrate that the product possesses good optical quality and catalytic performance, which indicate its broad potential applications. Because of its special hollow geometrical shapes and high surface areas, it can be used as catalysts, in sensors, as photonic crystals, and in light fillers. The current chemical strategy is expected to synthesize other metal sulfides or hollow structures.