Synthesis of coppers sulfite hexapods by simple hydrothermal route

Abstract In this work, the obtaining of Cu 7.2 S 4 hexapods by a hydrothermal process of two stages is reported. First, hexapods of Cu 2 O were obtained using copper chloride, and then in the second stage, sodium sulfite was used at different weight ratios in relation with Cu 2 O for the transformation into Cu 7.2 S 4 . The XRD, SEM, Raman, and XPS studies show that at 1:1 wt-ratio the conversion is not completely achieved and the presence of the two phases in the hexapod is detected. By increasing the weight-ratio to 1:2, Cu 7.2 S 4 hexapods with smooth surface were totally transformed into Cu 7.2 S 4 ones with modified surface completely covered by nanosheets.