Copper sulfide nanoribbon growth triggered by carbon nanotube aggregation via dialysis

The growth of copper sulfide (Cu(x)S) nanoribbons, a class of Cu(x)S nanomaterials, was achieved by the aggregation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) via a dialysis process. The obtained nanoribbon structure and its constituent elements on a film of SWCNT aggregates were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmittance electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The subsequently obtained TEM images and Raman spectra revealed that nucleus synthesis and subsequent growth of Cu(x)S nanoribbons occurred during the aggregation of SWCNTs. The growth procedure described in this work provides an approach for the wet chemical synthesis of metal sulfide nanomaterials.