In-Situ Growth of Copper Sulfide Nanocrystals on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Their Application as Novel Solar Cell and Amperometric Glucose Sensor Materials

Abstract

Single-crystalline copper sulfide (β-Cu₂S) nanocrystals (NCs) were grown in situ on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by the solvothermal method. The morphology of the Cu₂S NCs was varied from spherical particles (av size = 4 nm) to triangular plates (av size = 12 nm) by increasing the concentration of the precursors. The lattice matching between Cu₂S and the MWCNTs would be an important factor in the growth of Cu₂S NCs on the MWCNTs. The solar cells and the amperometric glucose sensors fabricated using these Cu₂S−MWCNT hybrid nanostructures respond more sensitively than those using the Cu₂S NCs (or MWCNTs) alone. The utilization of the active Cu₂S NCs through direct binding with the conductive MWCNTs would lead to excellent performance of these nanodevices.