Synthesis of CuS microspheres from constituent elements and its photocatalytic application.

Flower-like CuS microspheres were synthesised at 25 °C for 24 h in a choline chloride/ethylene glycol (1:3)-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) via an elemental-direct-reaction method. The as-synthesised CuS samples were characterised by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra. Moreover, a detailed mechanism on the formation of a CuS flower-like structure has been elucidated. In addition, CuS microspheres exhibit high photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB dye under visible light irradiation in the presence of H2O2. On the basis of the experimental results, a mechanism of photocatalysis also has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]