Hierarchical CuS hollow nanospheres and their structure-enhanced visible light photocatalytic properties

Hierarchical flower-like CuS hollow nanospheres were prepared using a solvothermal approach. We could facilely prepare CuS with desired surface morphology by tuning the reaction conditions. Based on our results, we propose a phenomenological pathway for the formation of hierarchical flower-like CuS hollow nanospheres via nucleation, nuclei aggregate and inside out Ostwald ripening process. The prepared CuS was characterized for the structural and morphological properties by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The obtained hierarchical flower-like CuS hollow nanospheres exhibited greatly enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of Rhodamine B and 2,4-dichlorophenol aqueous solution due to the synergistic effect of surface hierarchical structure with large surface area, porous hollow sphere structure and high visible light utilization.