Processing and characterization of nanometer sized copper sulfide particles

Nanomaterials have attracted considerable, attention in modern-day technolo gy. In this article, sulfide nanoparticles of industrial interest are forme d by the sol-gel process using metal chloride precursors dissolved in a mix ture of silica gel and organic cellulose network followed by a chemical rea ction with hydrogen sulfide gas. Particles are then heated in a vacuum oven . While scanning and transmission electron microscopy are used to study the ir morphology and structure in the nanometer scale, x-ray photoelectron spe ctroscopy is employed to understand the bonding chemistry and the stoichiom etry of the sulfide particles as a function of H2S exposure and heat treatm ent. The results from this study are expected to show promising application s and production of other oxides, sulfides and their compounds using sol-ge l synthesis are indicated. (C) 1999 American Vacuum Society. [S0734-2101(99 )10005-8].