Cu2 S nanowires and MnS/Cu2 S nanojunctions derived from γ-MnS nanowires via selective cation-exchange reaction

Abstract

Cu 2 S nanowires and MnS/Cu 2 S junctions have been derived on the basis of γ-MnS nanowires via cation-exchange reaction. Relationships between a selective cation exchange and the growth direction of the γ-MnS nanowires are identified by means of transmission electron microscopy. In the case of γ-MnS nanowires with [0001] growth direction, Cu + exchange with an initial γ-MnS nanowire results in a Cu 2 S nanowire. In contrast, for γ-MnS nanowires with [1-100] growth direction, Cu + exchange leads to a striped MnS/Cu 2 S junction. Mechanisms for this selective cation exchange are proposed.