Preparation and characterization of CuS hollow spheres

CuS hollow spheres have been successfully prepared using styrene–acrylic acid copolymer (PSA) latex particles as template. The process involved the deposition of inorganic coatings on the surface of PSA latex particles and subsequent removal of the latex particles by dispersing in toluene. The synthesized products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The results showed the wall thickness of CuS shell to be about 20 nm and the pore diameter to be about 150 nm. The possible formation mechanism of CuS hollow spheres has been proposed.