Large-scale synthesis of CuS nanoparticles for photothermal materials using high-concentration Cu complex ion precursor

Copper sulfide (CuS), a copper-deficient p-type semiconductor material, has been widely utilized due to its unique optical properties, low toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. Although many studies have been conducted on synthesizing CuS nanoparticles, harsh synthetic conditions and low yield must be solved. This study presents a new methodology that can synthesize CuS nanoparticles in large quantities at room temperature and pressure using high-concentration Cu complex ion precursors. This methodology is based on the theory that the critical nucleus radius and the critical nucleation free energy decrease as the concentration of the precursor increases to synthesize a large number of nanoparticles by applying low energy. In addition, it is possible to minimize the aggregation of nanoparticles, which is a problem of nanoparticles synthesized at a high precursor concentration through complex ions in the solution. We synthesized nanoparticles by controlling the precursor concentration from 0.1 to 2.5 M to confirm the effect of the precursor concentration on the size, shape, and yield of nanoparticles. As the precursor concentration increased, the particle size decreased, and the yield improved. The CuS nanoparticles synthesized at the highest concentration had a size of about 17 nm without a strong agglomeration and a yield of about 213.9 g/L. Furthermore, the nanoparticles showed excellent photothermal performance due to their high near-infrared absorption. When about 0.1 g of the nanoparticles were irradiated with a Xenon lamp and an 808 nm laser, the maximum temperatures and rising rates were 53.7 degrees C and 172.1 degrees C and 13.8 degrees C/mg and 33 degrees C/mg, respectively. The excellent photothermal properties of CuS nanoparticles suggest the potential of this material for various applications.