Synthesis of copper sulfides with different morphologies in DMF and water: catalytic activity for methyl orange reduction

Abstract

Copper sulfides (covellite, digenite and djurleite) were synthesized using microwave irradiation. Copper acetate and thiourea were chosen as precursors and used at a fixed ratio. Crystalline phase and morphology (particles, spheres and inter-grown belts) were changed by only changing the synthetic media (water, DMF and a 1:1 V/V mixture of them). A domestic microwave oven was used at 1000 watt for only 20 s for each synthesis. The obtained samples were characterized using powder XRD, FESEM, and EDX; results were used to postulate the differences in phase and morphology of the obtained samples. All samples were tested as reduction catalysts for methyl orange degradation by NaBH4 and time-dependent UV–vis spectroscopy was used to compare their activity.