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As a typical conversion‐type cathode material, CuS has shown great potential in the field of rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) due to its excellent energy density, stable voltage platforms, and low cost. However, the poor phase conversion reversibility in CuS cathodes has resulted in low Coulombic efficiency and short cycling life, impeding its further development. Herein, an abundance of CS heterointerfaces is meticulously crafted by the CuS nanoparticles anchored on rGO nanosheets (CuS@G). The out‐of‐plane C─S bonds effectively reduce the activation energy of sulfur atoms within Cu‐S tetrahedrons, facilitating the formation of S─S bonds in the Cu₂S crystal structure and driving the reversible phase conversion between Cu₂S and CuS during the charge/discharge process. Furthermore, a more reversible phase conversion could diminish copper ion dissolution induced by volume expansion. Consequently, the CuS@G cathode exhibits one of the most remarkable rate performances to date (160.5 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1), retaining 64.7% of its capacity after 1000 cycles. Additionally, a durable CuS@G||Mg pouch cell is successfully assembled, delivering a high capacity of 9.5 mAh. These fundamental insights provide valuable guidance for the design of high‐performance conversion cathode materials for next‐generation RMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By combining structural design with heteroatom doping, Mn-doped CuS 3D hollow flower spheres are designed, which are encapsulated in nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon (M/CuS-NSC). M/CuS-NSC collaboratively enhances the electrode's stability and conductivity, thus enabling it to exhibit a residual capacity of 511.5 mAh g−1 after 10,000 cycles at 10 A g−1, with an average decay rate of 0.00009%. [Display omitted] • The doped Mn atoms make it easier for Na+ insertion/extraction by enlarging Cu crystal lattice. • Carbon with co-doped S, N atoms could form a large subsurface via the C S C bond, and enrich active sites. • The designed structure could effectively alleviate volume expansion and constructs an effective 3D charge transfer network through nanosheets. • It is innovative found that the copper current collector has different activation effects on sodium storage with different active materials. To achieve both the capacity and stability of metal sulfides simultaneously remains a significant challenge. In this study, we have synthesized the manganese-doped copper sulfide three-dimensional (3D) hollow flower-like sphere (M/CuS-NSC), encapsulated in a nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon. The hollow lamellae structure allows the rational self-aggregation process of numerous active surface area enlarged nanosheets, thereby enhancing electrochemical activity. The subsurface framework characterized by C S C bonds enhances the pseudo-capacitive properties. Furthermore, the transformation of sulfur and the isomerization of carbon contribute to the enhancement of sodium ion storage. The incorporation of Mn into CuS lattice increases the interplanar distance, providing additional space for the accommodation of sodium ions. Mn doping facilitates the localization of electrons near the Fermi level, thereby improving conductivity. Additionally, Cu foils coated with M/CuS-NSC-2 engage with the electrolyte and sulfur, initiating the reaction sequence through the formation of Cu 9 S 8. Consequently, M/CuS-NSC-2 exhibits highly reversible capacities of 676.24 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 and 511.52 mAh g−1 after 10000 cycles at 10 A g−1, with an average attenuation ratio of only 0.009 %. In this study, we propose an effective strategy that combines structural design with heteroatom doping, providing a novel approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of monometallic sulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the synthesis of copper sulfide (CuS) electrode utilizing chemical bath deposition (CBD) and the study of the effect of complexing agent on the morphology of CuS electrode. The aim of this study is to find the ideal time for the synthesis of CuS and to find the capacitance and highest potential of the CuS electrode synthesized at the ideal time. In this project, CuS solution is formed using copper (II) sulphate (CuSO4) solution, thioacetamide solution, and a complexing agent which is citric acid. Homogeneous ultrathin nanospheres of CuS thin films have been successfully developed on nickel foam (NF) by simple and low-cost CBD method which is a promising electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors. The CBD process was carried out at different time intervals which are 30, 60, 90 and 120 min to find the ideal deposition time for CuS/NF electrode fabrication. The surface morphological analysis showed uniform growth of CuS nanospheres on NF surface. Structural analysis confirms the formation of hexagonal crystal structure of CuS. The electrochemical performances were tested by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance techniques. The best capacitance that was recorded by CuS fabricated at 60 min with a specific capacitance of 615 F/g at 1 A/g current density. Hence, the ideal deposition time of CuS/NF electrode fabrication for high supercapacitor performance is 60 min. The encouraging results suggest that CuS nanoflakes prepared by chemical bath deposition can serve as promising electrode materials for high performance supercapacitors in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high prevalence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is causing significant concern in healthcare systems. Antibacterial urinary catheters have been developed to prevent CAUTIs in clinical application. In this work, a copper sulfide nanorod (CuS NR)-embedded urinary catheter (CuS/UC) was designed as an antibacterial urinary catheter with photothermal sterilization. The CuS NRs with low cytotoxicity were synthesized via the hydrothermal method. The CuS NRs were embedded into urinary catheters at different weight percentages. The CuS/UC exhibited homogenous surface roughness, low wettability, hydrophobicity, and low adhesiveness, promoting minimal interaction with bacteria and healthy cells. Under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, the 0.8 weight percentage of CuS NRs in the urinary catheter (0.8CuS/UC) reached a temperature of 67.4 °C, demonstrating its photothermal antibacterial activity and suitability for catheter sterilization. Agar plate test verified that CuS/UCs exhibited a superior photothermal antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Streptococcus aureus (S. aureus). Moreover, the 0.8CuS/UC exhibited excellent biocompatibility and anti-cell adhesion properties. The 0.8CuS/UC with photothermal performance, excellent biocompatibility, and anti-cell adhesion properties demonstrated its potential as a photothermal antibacterial catheter for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper contains the preparation of QDs sensitized on TiO2 thin film as a photoanode for solar cell applications. The photoanode is developed by copper sulfide quantum dots (CuS QDs) on TiO2 thin films using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). CuS QDs act as sensitizer because of its strong visible light absorption. Fabrication process comprises sensitizing CuS QDs on the surface of TiO2 thin films controlled by 5 and 10 SILAR cycles. XRD study indicates the crystallite size of TiO2/CuS QDs thin films is 11.6 and 13.7 nm for 5 and 10 cycles (cys), respectively. The outcome of UV-DRS and photoluminescence indicates the enhanced light absorption, reduction in bandgap and suppression of electron–hole pair recombination. The HR-TEM image revealed that the diameter of the TiO2 is 10 nm and surroundings core-like CuS particles are observed. The TiO2/CuS QDs (10 cys) configuration showed a better photoelectrochemical efficiency of 2.55% at 30 mW cm−2 light intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology is a burgeoning modern technology due to the remarkable properties of nanoparticles. However, the escalating use of toxic reagents during the chemical synthesis of nanoparticles has become a major concern for environmental safety and human and animal health. Regarding this problem, the notion of integrating nanotechnology with green synthesis is increasingly attracting the attention of researchers. This particular study aims at the green synthesis of copper sulphide (CuS) nanoparticles S1, S2, and S3 utilizing the leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem), Syzygium cumini (jamun), and Cascabela thevetia (kaner), respectively. The prepared leaf extract of neem is rich in quercetin, whereas extracts of jamun and kaner leaves contain gallic acid, which serves as a reducing agent during the formation of nanoparticles. The prominent and sharp peaks of x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns match well with ICDD card no. 06-0464, which confirms the hexagonal phase of covellite CuS. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal the formation of spherical-shaped CuS nanoparticles with mild agglomeration. The presence of Cu and S as the only elements in the synthesized samples is confirmed by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). The occurrence of various stretching and bending vibrational modes is observed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, the obtained FTIR spectra of S1, S2, and S3 evince the formation of CuS nanoparticles and the presence of bioactive compounds. The UV-Vis absorption data of the prepared samples reveal that their band gap energies lie within the range of 1.5–1.7 eV. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of S1, S2, and S3 display decreased intensity, which could be due to the reduced recombination rate of charge carriers. The CuS nanoparticles synthesized with neem leaf extract exhibit relatively smaller crystallite size, wider band gap of 1.7 eV, and a lower recombination rate of charge carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel nanoprism-shaped manganese-doped copper sulfide (Mn–CuS) was fabricated by two-phase colloidal method (Mn percentages = 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%). The Mn–CuS was analyzed by XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis spectrometer, and TEM. The XRD shows that the hexagonal covellite copper sulfide peaks appeared at 2θ=47.9∘,31.9∘,47.8∘, and 31.8∘ for 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% respectively, and orthorhombic chalcocite copper sulfide appeared at the peaks that are corresponding the planes (412), (275), (029) and (106). According to UV–Vis analysis, the optical absorption of manganese-doped copper sulfide 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% clearly appeared in the UV–Vis region at 518, 440, 478, and 477nm respectively, and there are broad peaks for localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) of CuS located at 970, 1061, 1002, and 1006nm for Mn–CuS 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%, respectively. The favored nanoprism-shaped sample (manganese-doped copper sulfide 1%) was coated with gum Arabic (GA) in order to decrease the cytotoxicity and enhance the biocompatibility. The antibacterial activity of manganese-doped copper sulfide and GA@Mn–CuS 1% nanostructure toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria was determined by inhibition zone. It was found that the fabrecated Mn–CuS 1% nanoprisms were more active toward both E. coli and S. aureus bacteria and the doping enhanced the antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of CO2 into formate (HCOO−), a techno‐economically feasible product, can be achieved using earth‐abundant CuxS electrocatalysts, but questions remain regarding how catalyst structure, composition, and reaction environment influence product selectivity. A novel synthesis method based on electrodeposition of Cu foam and its subsequent sulfidation via immersion in sulfur saturated toluene solution resulted in CuxS foams. Catalytic activity studies found that HCOO− selectivity is dependent on electrochemical activation at higher overpotentials. To understand the effects of activation, determine the active forms of the catalysts, and identify the role of sulfur, the electrodes are carefully characterized as well as gaseous and sulfur dissolved in electrolyte. This included study of the effects of intentional addition of solution sulfur species, identification of the sulfur loss, determination of the electrode composition and relating sulfur speciation to observed product selectivity. It is found that residual sulfur stabilizes Cu+ during electrolysis at potentials favoring HCOO− production, in contrast to pristine Cu that undergoes complete reduction and shows poor HCOO− selectivity. Sulfur in both the catalyst and dissolved in electrolyte are of dynamic nature, and surface residues of SO42− species are identified in all activated catalysts which correspond with enhanced HCOO− production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to synthesize Cu1−xSrxS (x = 0.00, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) nanoparticles (NPs) using an easy chemical co-precipitation method in an efficient, inexpensive, and simple technique. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the prepared samples were investigated using XRD, TEM, XRF, UV–Vis DRS, and PL characterization techniques. XRD spectra confirmed the Sr-doped copper sulfide nanoparticles have a hexagonal structure with crystallite sizes ranging from 15.15 to 16.04 nm, and, by XRF, the presence of the dopant was detected. TEM analysis confirmed that strontium ions had an effect on the shape of the CuS nanostructure, and the particle size increased from 16.27 to 17.32 nm after doping. A study using UV-Vis showed the presence of Sr doping increased the optical energy band gap (1.38 eV to 1.59 eV). At room temperature, one photoluminescence (PL) band was found at 826 nm. The antibacterial activity of CuS nanostructures against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, and S. aureus was evaluated by zone of inhibition. Sr doped CuS NPs exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus (17 to 29 mm). Also, the results demonstrated that samples doped with 5, 7.5, and 10% Sr exhibited inhibitory effects against all the tested microbial strains higher than the antibiotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optoacoustic imaging offers label‐free multi‐parametric characterization of cerebrovascular morphology and hemodynamics at depths and spatiotemporal resolution unattainable with optical microscopy. Effective imaging depth can greatly be enhanced by employing photons in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window. However, diminished absorption by hemoglobin along with a lack of suitable contrast agents hinder an efficient application of the technique in this spectral range. Herein, copper sulfide (CuS) micro‐ and nano‐formulations for multi‐scale optoacoustic imaging in the NIR‐II window are introduced. Dynamic contrast enhancement induced by intravenously administered CuS nanoparticles facilitated visualization of blood perfusion in murine cerebrovascular networks. The individual calcium carbonate microparticles carrying CuS are further shown to generate sufficient responses to enable super‐resolution microvascular imaging and blood flow velocity mapping with localization optoacoustic tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As excellent energy storage devices, supercapacitors (SCs) have received widespread attention. Designing a reasonable SC device structure and exploring better active electrode materials are important ways to improve the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. CuS electrodes were prepared in situ on a brass substrate by using an in situ chemical reaction method. The impact of the temperature and duration of concentrated hydrochloric acid treatment on the electrode materials was examined. Morphological and compositional analyses of the CuS electrode materials were conducted using SEM, EDS, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The electrochemical properties were assessed through CV, GCD, and EIS. By utilizing a 70 min treatment with concentrated HCl at 78 °C, CuS materials exhibiting nanosheet/nanoparticle composite morphologies were synthesized. The nanoparticles were approximately 10 nm in diameter, while the nanosheets, which were interconnected to form honeycomb structures, were 300 nm in diameter and 10 nm in thickness. When the current density was set at 5 mA cm–2, the area-specific capacitance of the CuS electrode reached 1814 mF cm–2. An asymmetric supercapacitor, CuS∥rGO, was fabricated by using the aforementioned conditions for the anode and rGO for the cathode. This configuration achieved a surface capacitance of 256 mF cm–2 at a current density of 2 mA cm–2. The maximum energy density attained was 0.05 mWh cm–2, with a peak power density of 12.15 mW cm–2. After 10,000 constant current charge–discharge cycles, the capacity retention rate reached 74%, while the Coulombic efficiency remained above 96%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper sulfides exhibit various significant physical properties and have wide potential applications. In order to synthesize copper sulfides and investigate the anion substitution possibility of Cu3P, we immersed Cu3P in sodium sulfide solution. From X‐ray diffraction spectra results, copper sulfides, namely Cu2S and Cu7.2S4, were observed, indicating that anion substitution between S2− and P3− ions did occur. Consequently, we investigated the resistive switching (RS) properties of these two phases in the presence of Cu3P. We found that the Cu2S‐Cu3P composite exhibited a high Off/On ratio (88) and a long retention time (>103 s). However, the Cu7.2S4‐Cu3P composite exhibited no RS performance. In addition, we discussed the conduction and resistive switching mechanisms. Our work enriches the preparation method of copper sulfides and provides a reference for enhancing RS performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of the increasing copper demand in a low-carbon economy, this work statistically forecasted the distribution of China's copper tailings for the first time, and then characterized them as finely crushed and low-grade mining solid wastes containing copper mainly in the form of chalcopyrite, bornite, covelline, enargite and chalcocite based on available research data. China is the globally leading refined copper producer and consumer, where the typical commercial-scale bioleaching of copper tailings is conducted in the Dexing, Zijinshan and Jinchuan mining regions. And these leaching processes were compared in this study. Widely used chemolithoautotrophic and mesophilic bacteria are Acidithiobacillus, Leptospirillum, Acidiphilium, Alicyclobacillus and Thiobacillus with varied metal resistance. They can be used to treat copper sulfide tailings such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, enargite, chalcocite, bornite and covellite under sufficient dissolved oxygen from 1.5 to 4.1 mg/L and pH values ranging from 0.5 to 7.2. Moderate thermophiles (Acidithiobacillus caldus, Acidimicrobium, Acidiplasma, Ferroplasma and Sulfobacillus) and extreme thermophilic archaea (Acidianus, Metallosphaera, Sulfurococcus and Sulfolobus) are dominant in leaching systems with operating temperatures higher than 40 °C. However, these species are vulnerable to high pulp density and heavy metals. Heterotrophic Acidiphilium multivorum, Ferrimicrobium, Thermoplasma and fungi use organic carbon as energy to treat copper oxides (malachite, chrysocolla and azurite) and weathered sulfides (bornite, chalcocite, digenite and covellite) under a wide pH range and high pulp density. We also compared autotrophs in a planktonic state or biofilm to treat different metal sulfides using various sulfur-cycling enzymes involved in the polysulfide or thiosulfate pathways against fungi that produce various organic acids to chelate copper from oxides. Finally, we recommended a bioinformatic analysis of functional genes involved in Fe/S oxidization and C/N metabolism, as well as advanced representation that can create new possibilities for the development of high-efficiency leaching microorganisms and insight into the mechanisms of bioleaching desired metals from complex and low-grade copper tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper sulfide ores frequently co-occur with pyrite, presenting a significant challenge for their selective separation during beneficiation processes. Despite advancements in flotation technology, there remains a critical need for efficient methods to enhance copper recovery while suppressing pyrite interference, particularly without compromising the associated precious metals such as gold and silver. Current practices often struggle with achieving high selectivity and recovery while maintaining environmental sustainability. Here, we investigate the efficacy of a ternary collector mixture consisting of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate (ADD), butyl xanthate (BX), and ethyl xanthate (EX) for the selective flotation of copper sulfide from a complex ore containing 0.79% Cu and associated precious metals (0.233 g/t Au and 5.83 g/t Ag). A combination of lime and hydrogen peroxide as inhibitors was employed to suppress pyrite effectively under alkaline conditions (pH = 11.33). The results demonstrate that the optimized ternary collector system (ADD:BX:EX at a ratio of 1:0.5:0.5) significantly improves the copper grade and recovery at an ultra-low dosage of 10 g/t. The optimized flotation method using the combined collectors and inhibitors effectively separated chalcopyrite from pyrite, achieving a copper concentrate with 20.08% Cu content and a recovery of 87.73%. Additionally, the process yielded notable recoveries of gold (9.22%) and silver (26.66%). These findings advance the field by providing a viable and environmentally conscious approach to the beneficiation of sulfide ores, potentially serving as a blueprint for processing similar mineral deposits while minimizing reagent usage and costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shortage of fossil fuels and global warming are the two main issues facing the world today and these can be overcome by the usage of H2 as a sustainable energy. The study's primary objective is to fabricate an efficient electrocatalyst for electrochemical water splitting. This study uses CuS, Ni-doped CuS and Ni/CuS/S-g-C3N4 (NCS/SCN) composites for the electrochemical water-splitting. NCS/SCN composites were produced via the co-precipitation method with different S-g-C3N4 contents (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 wt.%) to study the impact of S-g-C3N4 on the electrochemical water splitting performance of NCS. Characterization techniques SEM, EDX, FTIR, and XRD evaluated the electrocatalysts' size, shape, and morphology. Electrochemical studies were performed employing a three-electrode system using KOH as the electrolyte. Results from LSV, CV, and EIS show that the development of composite material NCS/SCN enhances the electrocatalytic water-splitting activity of NCS in 1 M KOH solution. Results show that NCS/50%SCN exhibits the best OER and HER and thus can be utilized as a commercial electrocatalyzer for water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting dopamine (DA) in biological samples is vital to understand its crucial role in numerous physiological processes, such as motion, cognition, and reward stimulus. In this work, p-type graphene on sapphire, synthesized via chemical vapor deposition, serves as substrate for the preparation of p-type Cu2-xS films through solid-phase sulfurization. The optimized Cu2-xS/graphene heterostructure, prepared at 250 °C using a 15-nm copper film sulfurized for 2 h, exhibits superior electron transfer performance, ideal for electrochemical sensing. It is confirmed that the spontaneous charge transfer from graphene to Cu2-xS, higher Cu(II)/Cu(I) ratio (~ 0.8), and the presence of well-defined nanocrystalline structures with an average size of ~ 35 nm in Cu2-xS significantly contribute to the improved electron transfer of the heterostructure. The electrochemical sensor based on Cu2-xS/graphene heterostructure demonstrates remarkable sensitivity towards DA, with a detection limit as low as 100 fM and a dynamic range greater than 109 from 100 fM to 100 μM. Additionally, it exhibits excellent selectivity even in the presence of uric acid and ascorbic acid 100 times higher, alongside notable storage and measurement stability and repeatability. Impressively, the sensor also proves capable of detecting DA concentrations as low as 100 pM in rat serum, showcasing its potential for clinically relevant analytes and promising applications in sensitive, selective, reliable, and efficient point-of-care diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we optimized the traditional composition of AISI 8630 steel and evaluated its corrosion resistance through a series of tests. We conducted corrosion tests in a 3.5% NaCl solution and performed a 720 h fixed-load tensile test in accordance with the NACE TM-0177-2016 standard to assess sulfide stress corrosion cracking (SSCC). To analyze the corrosion products and the structure of the corrosion film, we employed X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The corrosion rate, characteristics of the corrosion products, structure of the corrosion film, and corrosion resistance mechanism of the material were investigated. The results indicate that the optimized AISI 8630 material demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance. After 720 h of exposure, the primary corrosion products were identified as chromium oxide, copper sulfide, iron oxide, and iron–nickel sulfide. The corrosion film exhibited a three-layer structure: the innermost layer with a thickness of 200–300 nm contained higher concentrations of alloying elements and formed a dense, cohesive rust layer that hindered the diffusion of oxygen and chloride ions, thus enhancing corrosion resistance. The middle layer was thicker and less rich in alloying elements, while the outer layer, approximately 300–400 nm thick, was relatively loose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional copper sulfide (CuS) wires were realized by the acrylamide-assisted hydrothermal process using Cu(NO3)2 and thiourea (NH2CSNH2) as reactants at 100 °C. A copper sulfide/carbon nanotube (CNTs) composite was fabricated as a similar method with the addition of CNTs. The samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman scattering spectra, respectively. The influence of reaction temperature and amine on the morphologies of CuS nanocrystals was investigated. As anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, the electrochemical studies show that the CuS/CNT composite electrode delivers a higher reversible capacity of 428.1 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 for the 100th cycle, because CNTs can be a conductive agent to provide a fast path for electron transportation, compared with the bare CuS wires (280 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles). The synthesis results indicate that the amine-directed synthesis strategy of copper sulfide could be extended for the preparation of other metal sulfide nanostructures. Further, the incorporation of the CNT matrix into the copper sulfide is an effective approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of CuS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient development and utilization of low-grade copper ore are essential for ensuring a stable supply of copper resources. Focused on a low-grade copper ore from Yunnan, detailed process mineralogy studies were conducted to determine the occurrence state of copper minerals. Moreover, a tailored flotation process and reagent regime were developed for this ore based on flotation condition tests and the locked-cycle tests. The results indicate that the ore contains 0.31% copper, with 93.55% of the copper being in sulfides, primarily in the form of chalcopyrite. The copper minerals are finely dssseminated within gangue minerals. During the rougher stage, the use of a non-polar collector CM3 can significantly improve the grade of rough concentrate while ensuring copper recovery. The collector Z200 is the proper collector used in scavenger stage for further enhancing copper recovery. A copper concentrate with copper grade of 23.03% and recovery of 86.97% was obtained in the laboratory locked-cycle test under the condition that the grinding fineness of -74 µ m being 72% and the flowsheet of one roughing, two cleanings and three scavengings being adopted. The results can provide reference for the efficient flotation recovery of low-grade copper ore in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bis(N-hexyl-N-(4-methylbenzyl)dithiocarbamato-S,S')copper(II) (1) and bis(N-dodecyl-N-(4-methylbenzyl)dithiocarbamato-S,S')copper(II) (2) have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, FTIR and electronic spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction technique (SCXRD). X-ray structure analysis of both complexes reveals that the copper(II) has a distorted square planar geometry. The intermolecular interactions in crystal packing are quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were also performed to validate the experimental SCXRD results. Solvothermal decomposition method has been employed to prepare copper sulfides from complexes 1 and 2. The obtained copper sulfide samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The PXRD patterns of the copper sulfide nanoparticles prepared from 1 and 2 indexed to the orthorhombic phase with estimated crystallite size of 30 nm and 24 nm, respectively. Photocatalytic activity of copper sulfide was evaluated using congo red under UV irradiation. Both copper sulfide nanoparticles are efficient photocatalyst for degradation of congo red dye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of wet copper smelting is mainly used to extract copper from copper concentrate in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). After roasting and two-stage acid leaching of copper sulfide concentrate containing 55% - 65% copper, the acid leaching residue contains 3% - 10% copper. Based on the process mineralogy analysis of calcine acid leaching residue of a copper concentrate in the DRC, pressure leaching method was used to recover copper from the acid leaching residue. The results show that copper in the acid leaching residue of calcine of copper concentrate mainly exists in the form of chrysocollite, chalcanthite and copper ferrite. The copper content of these three minerals accounts for 96.87% of the total copper content, and copper ferrite is the main difficult to leach mineral. During acid leaching, the amount of acid used has the greatest impact on copper leaching rate. The copper leaching rate is 94.52% and copper content in the residue can be reduced from 7.66% before treatment to 0.52% under the optimum leaching conditions including liquid-solid ratio of 4 mL/g, acid-ore ratio (the mass ratio of sulfuric acid dosage to acid leaching residue) of 65%, leaching time of two hours, and leaching temperature of 180 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments of medium temperature oxygen pressure leaching of Cu, Ni, Fe and S, and synchronous iron precipitation in complex sulfide copper nickel slag were carried out The main elements in sulfide copper nickel slag were found out, and the effects of oxygen pressure leaching conditions on the leaching rate of Cu, Ni, Fe and S were investigated. The leaching rate of copper, nickel, iron and sulfur is 98. 73%, 98.86%, 26.69%, 93.17%, respectively, the residual acid concentration in the leaching solution is 1.28 g/L, and the mass concentration of copper, nickel and iron in the leaching solution is 77.04, 18.80 and 0.67 g/L, respectively, under the optimum conditions including dosage of sulfuric acid (98%) of 20 g (i. e. 200 kg sulfuric acid per ton of copper-nickel slag), leaching temperature of 170 °C, oxygen partial pressure of 0.4 MPa, liquid-solid ratio of 5 mL/g, and leaching time of five hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Address to the by-product sulfuric acid in the pyrometallurgical smelting process of copper sulfide concentrate is difficult to be applied on a large scale in the unsalable area of sulfuric acid, the oxygen pressure leaching process of copper sulfide concentrate was studied. The composition, phase and occurrence state of valuable elements of a copper sulfide concentrate raw material were analyzed. The feasibility of oxygen pressure leaching of copper sulfide concentrate was analyzed theoretically. The leaching effects of one-stage oxygen pressure leaching and two-stage oxygen pressure leaching process were studied. The results show that the copper leaching rate is 90.49%-92.25% by two-stage countercurrent oxygen pressure leaching. In the first stage, the temperature is 135140 °C, the total pressure is 1.3-1.4 MPa, the time is 2-2.5 h, the amount of dispersant is 4‰-5‰, and the amount of precipitation agent is 2.5%-3%. In the second stage, the temperature is 165-170 °C, the total pressure is 1.4-1.5 MPa, the time is 2.5-3 h, the amount of dispersant is 6‰-7‰, and the amount of precipitation agent is 3%-3.5%. The leaching solution from the first stage contains copper 90.78-92.34 g/L, iron 10.81-13.84 g/L and H2SO4 28-30 g/L, which can be sent to subsequent iron removal purification-electrowinning to produce electrocopper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the process of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exploitation, various sulfide-containing gases are produced, which significantly bring about corrosion attacks to copper equipment and facilities. Investigations on the effects of sulfides, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide (COS), and ethanethiol (C2H6S) on copper corrosion and synergistic mechanisms are of great significance for LPG production. This paper studied the synergistic corrosion effects of mixed sulfide-containing gases in LPG on copper plates, including the influence of H2S + COS, H2S + C2H6S, as well as H2S + COS + C2H6S. The results showed that there exists an apparent synergistic effect between different sulfide-containing gases, which decreased the critical point of corrosion and enhanced the severity of copper corrosion. SEM observation on corrosion products with the addition of different sulfide-containing gases demonstrated that the microstructures of corrosion products are significantly different, which reveals different corrosion mechanisms. By characterizing the corrosion products on copper surfaces, corresponding corrosion mechanisms were proposed. Individual H2S reacts with copper directly as chemical corrosion. The presence of water leads to the dissolution of H2S into water film at the copper surface and results in electrochemical corrosion in nature. COS tends to decompose into acidic gas H2S and CO2, which accelerates the electrochemical corrosion at the copper surface. C2H6S can react with copper directly as chemical corrosion. A mixture of different sulfur-containing gases enhanced the corrosion attack by synergistic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present self-supported vanadium-doped copper sulfide (Cu 2 S) electrodes as effective catalytic network for alkaline water electrolysis. The electrodes demonstrate a remarkably lower value of overpotential 375 mV for HER (hydrogen evolution reaction) and 403 mV for OER (oxygen evolution reaction) to generate 100 mA/cm2 current. A bi-functional electrolyzer incorporating these electrodes achieves a high current of 100 mA/cm2 at a cell voltage of 1.97 V. The positive influence of vanadium incorporation enhances the overall electrocatalytic activity of Cu 2 S and capable of generating the geometric current density of more than 500 mA/cm2 current for bi-functional electrolysis in industrial-scale alkaline electrolyte 5 M KOH at an elevated temperature of 60 °C, highlighting its potential for practical applications in renewable hydrogen production. Furthermore, the stability of electrodes was measured at different current densities at 20, 50 and 300 mA/cm2, suggesting the capabilities of electrodes for sustainable water electrolysis for green H 2 and O 2 production. DFT analyses confirms that the V-Cu s S exhibits superior performance owing to favourable H-adsorption energy on S-sites and minimum Gibb's free energy on V-sites. The study focuses on specific electrochemical performance metrics, offering insights into the promising utilization of vanadium-doped Cu 2 S electrodes for efficient water splitting in alkaline environments. [Display omitted] • Self-supported catalysts V–Cu 2 S were synthesized by hydrothermal technique. • Electrolyser generates 100 mA/cm2 current at 1.97 V in an alkaline solution. • Industrial scale water electrolysis is achieved with current of 500 mA/cm2. • DFT study shows superior HER on V–Cu 2 S due to favourable H-adsorption on S-sites. • Optimal Δ G H of 0.54 eV on V-sites in V–Cu 2 S accelerates catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic dyes derived from industrial processes have harmful potential to aquatic systems and require novel oxidative treatment. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOF) couple high adsorption capacity and photocatalytic action, which can be improved through heterojunctions. In this work, CuBTC (MOF) photocatalyst was synthesized by an electrochemical methodology, and the in situ CuS templated formation by addition of Na2S solution, giving CuBTC/CuS composites. The synthesized CuBTC MOF and CuBTC/CuS composites were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA, and EDX. The adsorptive capacity and photocatalytic properties were evaluated by the photocatalytic performance against methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution, under dark and simulated solar irradiation. Under simulated solar irradiation, the CuBTC/CuS achieved 87 % dye photodegradation after 120 min, 1.7 times higher than CuBTC. The photocatalytic action mechanisms were investigated by free‐radical capture experiments. At the equilibrium, the photocatalytic process presented pseudo‐first‐order (PFO) and pseudo‐second‐order (PSO) non‐linear kinetic models, showing a higher correlation with the PFO model, with a rate constant of 94.3×10−3 min−1. The photocatalytic performance of the composite was also evaluated over five cycles, decreasing to 68 %. The proposed strategy showed promise for the developing of highly effective materials to combat water pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable magnesium‐ion batteries (MIBs) hold significant promise for safe and efficient large‐scale energy storage, but the lack of high‐performance cathodes hinders their development for practical applications. In this work, a series of nanocomposites consisting of π‐conjugated perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride annealed at 450 °C and copper sulfide (CuSP) are synthesized solvothermally to explore their utility as a host for Mg2+ storage in MIBs. The carbonyl organics in the hybrid materials modify the predominant CuS phase, expanding interlayer spacing and enriching sulfur vacancies through modifications of the internal electric field. This synergistic interaction enhances magnesium storage performance and accelerates reaction kinetics. Using chlorine‐free Mg[B(hfip)4]2/DME electrolytes, the CuSP91 cathode containing an appropriate organic content displays a remarkably high reversible capacity of 285 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1, and demonstrates a stable capacity of 220 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, surpassing pure CuS cathode in terms of shorter activation time. The CuSP91 cathode maintains a discharge capacity of 55 mAh g−1 over 1000 cycles at 500 mA g−1. A co‐redox mechanism is revealed through in/ex situ investigations and analyses. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights targeting the development of advanced organic–inorganic hybrid composite cathode materials in next‐generation energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cation exchange reaction is a powerful method for generating nanomaterials with unique structures because of the easy control of the size, morphology, composition, and crystal structure of the nanoparticles. This study investigated the kinetically controlled morphology and composition of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) through cation exchange reactions, specifically focusing on variations from copper sulfide to transition metal sulfides, including Co, Fe, Zn, and Mn sulfides. In the cation exchange reaction, Co exhibited the fastest exchange rate, followed by Fe,Mn, and Zn. The difference in kinetics rates affected the change in morphology; Co, with the fastest rate, was immediately and uniformly distributed in the NPs. For Fe, a sandwich structure was initially formed and this gradually transformed into a solid-solution phase. After exchanging Cu with Mn and Zn, a heterostructure was formed, which became increasingly clear as the reaction progressed. The transformation of the morphology and crystal structure were confirmed using XRD, TEM, and SEM analyses. The findings of this study suggest that the morphology and distinct structures of the exchanged particles can be controlled by manipulating the kinetics rates of cations through cation exchange reactions. This process offers a powerful tool for the tailored synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles and provides a design principle for enabling predictable outcomes through cation exchange reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione-mediated copper sulfide nanoplatforms with morphology and vacancy dependent photothermal catalytic activity for multi-model tannic acid assays. [Display omitted] Interface engineering and vacancy engineering play an important role in the surface and electronic structure of nanomaterials. The combination of the two provides a feasible way for the development of efficient photocatalytic materials. Here, we use glutathione (GSH) as a coordination molecule to design a series of Cu x S nanomaterials (Cu x S-GSH) rich in sulfur vacancies using a simple ultrasonic-assisted method. Interface engineering can induce amorphous structure in the crystal while controlling the formation of porous surfaces of nanomaterials, and the formation of a large number of random orientation bonds further increases the concentration of sulfur vacancies in the crystal structure. This study shows that interface engineering and vacancy engineering can enhance the light absorption ability of Cu x S-GSH nanomaterials from the visible to the near-infrared region, improve the efficiency of charge transfer between Cu x S groups, and promote the separation and transfer of optoelectronic electron-hole pairs. In addition, a higher specific surface area can produce a large number of active sites, and the synergistic and efficient photothermal conversion efficiency (58.01%) can jointly promote the better photocatalytic performance of Cu x S-GSH nanomaterials. Based on the excellent hot carrier generation and photothermal conversion performance of Cu x S-GSH under illumination, it exhibits an excellent ability to mediate the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through peroxide cleavage and has excellent peroxidase activity. Therefore, Cu x S-GSH has been successfully developed as a nanoenzyme platform for detecting tannic acid (TA) content in tea, and convenient and rapid detection of tannic acid is achieved through the construction of a multi-model strategy. This work not only provides a new way to enhance the enzyme-like activity of nanomaterials but also provides a new prospect for the application of interface engineering and vacancy engineering in the field of photochemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioleaching, a process catalyzed by acidophilic microorganisms, offers a sustainable approach to metal extraction from sulfide minerals. Chalcopyrite, the world's most abundant copper sulfide, presents challenges due to surface passivation limiting its bioleaching efficiency. Also, indigenous species and microbial communities may present high copper extraction rates and offer new possibilities for application in bioleaching processes. This study examines the bioleaching potential of microbial isolates and communities obtained from Amolanas Mine in Chile. Samples were collected, cultivated, and identified by Sanger sequencing. The bioleaching potential and biofilm formation of isolates and enrichments were evaluated on pyrite and chalcopyrite. The results show the isolation of nine Leptospirillum and two Acidithiobacillus strains. The bioleaching experiments demonstrated good copper bioleaching potentials of the Leptospirillum I2CS27 strain and EICA consortium (composed mainly of Leptospirillum ferriphilum, Acidiphilium sp., and Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans), with 11% and 25% copper recovery rates, respectively. Microbial attachment to the surface mineral was not mandatory for increasing the bioleaching rates. Our findings underscore the importance of indigenous microbial communities in enhancing copper bioleaching efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the pyrometallurgical processing of copper sulphide raw materials, part of the charge leaves the furnace space together with the exhaust gases in the form of dust entrainment. Volatile components also pass into the dust-gas flow, due to which it is enriched with impurities, some of which are harmful to the technological process. The formed dust-gas flow passes through dust collection equipment, where the main part of it is captured. Most often, the captured dust is recirculated, which leads to a decrease in the productivity of the furnace unit and a gradual increase in the content of impurities in the condensed products of the smelting. To overcome these disadvantages, it is necessary to take part or all the recirculating dust out of the melting cycle and process it independently to extract the valuable metals and dispose of the harmful substances. In metallurgical practice, industrial application for the processing of recirculating dust entrainment has mainly been accomplished by hydrometallurgical methods based on treating the flue dust in aqueous solutions of acid or alkaline reagents. In the present research work, laboratory results on hydrometallurgical leaching of flue dust from a flash furnace waste heat boiler (FF-WHB) are presented. The effect of the main technological parameters affecting the degrees of recovery of the main metals in solution was studied. Based on the experimental results, the optimal conditions for hydrometallurgical treatment of the FF-WHB flue dust were determined. By treating the dust under optimal conditions, the main tasks of the research are achieved - removal of impurities harmful to the technological process and reduction of the amount of flue dust processed in the flash furnace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper tailings are a common byproduct of copper production, containing high levels of heavy metals which are released into the environment. Conventional methods have historically prioritized copper recovery, and often overlooking the leaching of other valuable elements. However, the rising demand for nonferrous metals necessitates understanding their leaching behavior from copper tailings. This study examined the atmospheric leaching of Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, and CuO from a polymetallic tailing ore. Leaching recoveries of 63.5% for Cu, 97.5% for CuO, 1% for Fe, and 100% for Zn were achieved under the optimum conditions of 0.5 M sulfuric acid concentration, 25% solids percentage, 65°C, stirring speed of 100rpm, particle size of 75 µm within 30 minutes. Results indicated that the dissolution of oxide minerals such as CuO and ZnO was significant; however, copper sulfides need oxidant to be dissolved. In this condition, iron oxides and silicates were partially reacted by sulfuric acid, and Pb-bearing minerals formed lead sulfate. The presence of iron and lead-bearing minerals in the leaching residue was confirmed by XRF, XRD, and SEM analyses, and was in agreement with the information displayed in the Eh-pH diagrams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have synthesized a nanostructured core–shell framework of carbon-coated copper sulfide (C@CuS) through a one-step precipitation technique. The carbon sphere template facilitated the nucleation of CuS nanostructures. The synthesized nanocomposites have demonstrated remarkable lithium-ion storage capabilities when utilized as an anode in lithium-ion batteries. Notably, they exhibit an impressive rate capability of 314 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 5000 mA g−1, along with excellent long-term cycle stability, maintaining 463 mAh g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 after 800 cycles. This superior performance is due to the core–shell architecture of the composite, where the carbon core enhances the conductivity of CuS nanoparticles and mitigates volume expansion, thus preventing capacity loss. Our study not only elucidates the significance of carbon in the construction of nano-heterojunctions or composite electrodes but also presents a practical approach to significantly boost the electrochemical performance of CuS and other metal sulfides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites are most encouraging materials in the field of gas sensing. The nanocomposites with transition metals boost various properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs), thus making them more appropriate for sensing applications. In this work, copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles prepared via a hydrothermal route were mixed with FMWCNTs by using a facile sonication method. The effect of CuS content in FMWCNTs/CuS nanocomposites was investigated using various characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction elucidated the formation of CuS nanoparticles along with the decrease in crystallite size of the nanocomposite. The optical behavior of the synthesized nanocomposite was studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy, which revealed an increase in the lifetime of the nanocomposite with the increase in CuS content. The absorption analysis shows an increase in the value of the bandgap with an increase in wt% of CuS in the nanocomposites. Electrical studies examined by I–V analysis confirmed the conducting nature of all three samples. The results reveal that FWMCNTs/CuS could be a potential material for sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harnessing green hydrogen production from natural Red Sea water offers an innovative solution to address energy challenges. A one-pot fabrication method is used to create novel nanocomposite thin films with open-spherical shapes, utilizing copper sulfide/poly-O-amino benzenethiol decorated on copper oxide as a promising photocathode. After thorough analysis, a unique morphology characterized by open spherical shapes is projected, which contributes to improved optical absorption. The bandgap of the nanocomposite is 1.17 eV, enabling efficient absorption of light across the entire optical spectrum, extending up to 950 nm. Utilizing Red Sea water as an electrolyte, the generated J ph serves as an indicator of H2 gas production. The substantial J ph value of −0.82 mA cm−2 is achieved at −0.85 V under light illumination. Furthermore, J ph values exhibit variability, starting at −0.58 mA cm−2 (at 730 nm) and increasing to −0.75 mA cm−2 at a wavelength of 340 nm. The estimated hydrogen gas production rate reaches 1.5 µmole h−1 cm−2, translating to an impressive 15 µmole h−1 for every 10 cm². This remarkable rate underscores the effectiveness of the photocathode, especially given its fabrication through a single-step process that is suitable for mass production. In addition, its cost-effectiveness further enhances its appeal as a viable solution for renewable energy production for hydrogen gas generation from seawater.

[Display omitted] In tumor therapy, copper (Cu)-based nanozymes with peroxidase-like activity play a crucial role in converting hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals (OH). This process induces immunogenic cell death, which in turn activates the body's immune response, enhancing the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. Nonetheless, the efficiency of this reaction is curtailed due to the oxidation of Cu(I) to Cu(II), leading to the self-depletion of the nanozyme's activity and an insufficient yield of OH for effective immunotherapeutic activation. To surmount this challenge, our research introduces a photocharging self-doped semiconductor nanozyme, copper sulfide (Cu 9 S 8). The photocharging effect enables the nanozyme to convert internal Cu(II) back to Cu(I) through charge transfer induced by near-infrared (NIR)-II photothermal energy, thereby effectively maintaining the enzyme-like activity of the nanozyme. Additionally, Cu 9 S 8 is enhanced with a calcium sulfide (CaS) coating. This coating reacts in the acidic microenvironment of tumors to generate hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) gas, which in turn suppresses the catalase activity inherent in tumor cells, ensuring a plentiful supply of H 2 O 2 for the nanozyme's operation. This dual strategy of amplifying enzyme-like activity and substrate availability culminates in the generation of ample OH within tumor cells, leading to significant immunogenic cell death and thereby realizing potent immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative fluorescence quenching is a common analytical approach to studying the mechanism of chemical reactions. The Stern–Volmer (S–V) equation is the most common expression used to analyze the quenching behavior and can be used to extract kinetics in complex environments. However, the approximations underlying the S–V equation are incompatible with Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) acting as the primary quenching mechanism. The nonlinear distance dependence of FRET leads to significant departures from "standard" S–V quenching curves, both by modulating the interaction range of donor species and by increasing the effect of component diffusion. We demonstrate this inadequacy by probing the fluorescence quenching of long-lifetime lead sulfide quantum dots mixed with plasmonic covellite copper sulfide nanodisks (NDs), which serve as perfect fluorescent quenchers. By applying kinetic Monte Carlo methods, which consider particle distributions and diffusion, we are able to quantitatively reproduce experimental data, which show significant quenching at very small concentrations of NDs. The distribution of interparticle distances and diffusion are concluded to play important roles in fluorescence quenching, particularly in the shortwave infrared, where photoluminescent lifetimes are often long relative to diffusion time scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Herein, a hydrothermal etching approach was used to generate an innovative CuS/O,N-CNT composite. The hydrothermal etching of g-C3N4 led to the creation of O,N-CNT, with ethanol as the oxygen source. The SEM and TEM characterizations confirmed the formation of CNT, whereas the XPS analysis proved the doping of oxygen and nitrogen in the CNT matrix along with the incorporation of CuS. Under sun irradiation, the produced CuS/O,N-CNT showed outstanding photocatalytic efficiency, eliminating methyl orange and methylene blue dyes with 97.21% and 98.11% efficacy, respectively. Adding hydrothermally etched O,N-CNT increased light absorption and charge migration kinetics, as can be studied from the UV-DRS and PL analysis; hence, the observed improvements in light absorption and charge transfer pathways contributed to the CuS/O,N-CNT composite's enhanced photocatalytic activity, indicating its potential for efficient elimination of organic contaminants under solar irradiation. The catalyst demonstrated high reusability performance up to six cycles and significantly degraded other dyes. Scavenger analysis, along with VB-XPS and UV-DRS analysis, aid in developing a photocatalytic mechanism that confirms the participation of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in the degradation process.

Abstract Copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) exhibits strong visible light absorption and thus has the potential for good photocatalytic activity; however, rapid charge recombination limits its practical usage. An intriguing strategy to overcome this issue is to couple CuInS2 with another semiconductor to form a heterojunction, which can improve the charge carrier separation and, hence, enhance the photocatalytic activity. In this study, photocatalysts comprising CuInS2 with a secondary CuS phase (termed CuInxSy) and CuInxSy loaded with ZnS (termed ZnS@CuInxSy) were synthesized via a microwave-assisted method. Structural and morphological characterization revealed that the ZnS@CuInxSy photocatalyst comprised tetragonal CuInS2 containing a secondary phase of hexagonal CuS, coupled with hexagonal ZnS. The effective band gap energy of CuInxSy was widened from 2.23 to 2.71 as the ZnS loading increased from 0 to 30%. The coupling of CuInxSy with ZnS leads to long-lived charge carriers and efficient visible-light harvesting properties, which in turn lead to a remarkably high activity for the photocatalytic degradation of brilliant green (95.6% in 5 h) and conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-nitrophenolate ions (95.4% in 5 h). The active species involved in these photocatalytic processes were evaluated using suitable trapping agents. Based on the obtained results, photocatalytic mechanisms are proposed that emphasize the importance of h+, O2 •–, and OH− in photocatalytic processes using ZnS@CuInxSy.

The unique bacterial infection microenvironment (IME) usually requires complicated design of nanomaterials to adapt to IME for enhancing antibacterial therapy. Here, an alternative IME adaptative nitrite reductase-mimicking nanozyme is constructed by in situ growth of ultrasmall copper sulfide clusters on the surface of a nanofibrillar lysozyme assembly (NFLA/CuS NHs), which can temporally regulate nitric oxide (NO) gradient concentration to kill bacteria initially and promote tissue regeneration subsequently. Benefiting from a copper nitrite reductase (CuNIR)-inspired structure with CuS cluster as active center and NFLA as skeleton, NFLA/CuS NHs efficiently boost the catalytic reduction of nitrite to NO. The inherent supramolecular fibrillar networks displays excellent bacterial capture capability, facilitating initial high-concentration NO attacks on the bacteria. The subsequent catalytic release of low-concentration NO by NFLA/CuS NHs-mediated nitrite reduction remarkably promotes cell migration and angiogenesis. This work paves the way for dynamically eliminating MDR bacterial infection and promoting tissue regeneration in a simple and smart way through CuNIR-mimicking catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sb2S3 has been extensively used as light absorber for photoelectrochemical cell. However, its p‐type nature may result in the formation of Schottky junction with substrates, thus hindering the collection of photogenerated holes. Herein, an ultrathin CuxS layer is successfully engineered as the bottom junction for Sb2S3 for the first time. Capitalizing on its impressive electrical properties and superior optical properties, the CuxS layer exhibits a high work function of 4.90 eV, which causes the upward band bending of p‐type Sb2S3, forming a hole‐transparent structure with ohmic contact. The transparency of the ultrathin CuxS layer enables back‐illumination of the Sb2S3/CuxS platform, facilitating the integration of intricate catalyst layers for photoelectrochemical transformation. When modified with Pt nanoparticles, the photocurrent density reaches −5.38 mA cm−2 at 0 V vs. RHE, marking a fourfold increase compared to the photocathode without CuxS layer. When introducing a molecular hybrid TC‐CoPc@carbon black, a remarkable average photocurrent density of −0.44 mA cm−2 at the overpotential of 0 V is obtained for CO2 reduction reaction, while the photocurrent density is less than −0.03 mA cm−2 without CuxS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a hydrothermal etching approach was used to generate an innovative CuS/O,N-CNT composite. The hydrothermal etching of g-C3N4 led to the creation of O,N-CNT, with ethanol as the oxygen source. The SEM and TEM characterizations confirmed the formation of CNT, whereas the XPS analysis proved the doping of oxygen and nitrogen in the CNT matrix along with the incorporation of CuS. Under sun irradiation, the produced CuS/O,N-CNT showed outstanding photocatalytic efficiency, eliminating methyl orange and methylene blue dyes with 97.21% and 98.11% efficacy, respectively. Adding hydrothermally etched O,N-CNT increased light absorption and charge migration kinetics, as can be studied from the UV-DRS and PL analysis; hence, the observed improvements in light absorption and charge transfer pathways contributed to the CuS/O,N-CNT composite's enhanced photocatalytic activity, indicating its potential for efficient elimination of organic contaminants under solar irradiation. The catalyst demonstrated high reusability performance up to six cycles and significantly degraded other dyes. Scavenger analysis, along with VB-XPS and UV-DRS analysis, aid in developing a photocatalytic mechanism that confirms the participation of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in the degradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bis(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-carbodithioato)copper(II) was synthesized and decomposed to hexagonal copper sulfide (CuS/Cu2S) nanoplates (NPs) under ambient conditions using ethylenediamine as a decomposing agent and solvent. The optical property (UV–Vis) and structural analysis (XRD, HRTEM, TEM, SAED, and EDS) revealed the formation of visible light active (2.24 eV) hexagonal nanoplates of mixed composition (CuS/Cu2S) with size varying from 310 to 890 nm. CuS/Cu2S nanoplates possess both catalytic and photocatalytic properties and degrade Congo red entirely (100%) both in dark and light. However, in the presence of light (80 min) the degradation is faster than in the dark (120 min). The degradation follows pseudo-first-order kinetics in the presence and absence of light. The kinetics also explain that the dye first adsorb on the surface of CuS/Cu2S and then is mineralized. Furthermore, CuS/Cu2S nanoplates were photostable with good reusability. Additionally, the environmentally benign nature, catalyst photocatalytic properties, complete dye degradation, and no generation of secondary pollutants make CuS/Cu2S nanoplates an excellent material for environmental cleansing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum chemical modeling of CO oxidation on the Cu12S6(PH3)8 and Cu12S6 clusters was performed in order to establish the general tendencies in the process on metal nanoclusters stabilized by ligands and to find out if the presence of a phosphine ligand is needed in the active site. The Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism was studied, which involves sequential oxidation of two CO molecules with oxygen. The calculated activation energies on Cu12S6(PH3)8 are lower than on Cu12S6 for all oxidation stages; therefore, the PH3 ligands have a positive effect on the catalytic properties of the copper sulfide cluster in the CO oxidation. A linear correlation was found between the energy of CO adsorption on various copper sulfide clusters and the activation energy of the oxidation stage: the lowest activation energy is observed for the cluster with a CO adsorption energy of 36 kJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-grade copper ore in a high-latitude cold region consists of primary copper sulfide ore, secondary copper sulfide ore, and copper oxide ore. The ore properties gradually change with the depth of the ore body. Under natural temperature, medium temperature, or acidic conditions, tennantite and tetrahedrite in the primary copper sulfide ore, secondary copper sulfide ore, and combined copper oxide ore are easily leached. For shallow low-grade copper ore, sulfuric acid column leaching in atmospheric temperature was conducted at temperatures of 13 °C 23 °C for 34 d, followed by medium-temperature bio-oxidation column leaching with leaching bacteria added at temperatures of -23 °C-30 °C, achieving a copper leaching rate of 65.01%. For medium-deep low-grade copper ore, a pilot test was conducted under conditions of ore particle size 50 mm and a column leaching time of 288 d, achieving a copper leaching rate of 41.66%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold-based nanoparticles for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging show great potential for precise tumor detection and photothermal therapy (PTT). However, the metabolizability of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) raises big concerns. Herein, we designed a core-shelled nanostructure of copper sulfide (CuS)-coated Au NPs with surface pegylation (PEG-Au@CuS NSs). The excreted Au in the gallbladders at 1 h and 4 h in mice injected with PEG-Au@CuS NSs was 8.2- and 19.1-fold of that with the pegylated Au NPs (PEG-AuNPs) of the same Au particle size, respectively. By loading the Raman reporter 3,3′-Diethylthiatricarbocyanine iodide (DTTC) in the core–shell junction of PEG-Au@CuS NSs, the PEG-Au-DTTC@CuS NSs exhibited the Raman signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 4.01 after 24 h of intravenous (IV) injection in the mice bearing an orthotopic CT26-Luc colon tumor. By contrast, the DTTC-coated PEG-AuNPs (PEG-Au-DTTC NPs) achieved an S/N ratio of 2.71. Moreover, PEG-Au-DTTC@CuS NSs exhibited an increased photothermal conversion effect compared with PEG-Au-DTTC NPs excited with an 808-nm laser. PEG-Au-DTTC@CuS NSs enabled intraoperative SERS image-guided photothermal therapy for a complete cure of the colon tumor-bearing mice. Our data demonstrated that the PEG-Au-DTTC@CuS NSs are promising intraoperative Raman image-guided theranostic nanoplatform with enhanced hepatobiliary excretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of copper (II) sulfide (CuS) addition on the superconductivity of (Bi1.6Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 (CuS)x (x = 0–1.5 wt%) is reported. All samples were prepared via the co-precipitation technique. The XRD patterns revealed that the formation of Bi-2223 phase was not affected by the CuS addition. The temperature-dependent resistance measurements showed a metallic normal state behavior for all samples, with onset transition temperatures Tc onset between 109 and 118 K and zero transition temperatures Tc zero between 96 and 101 K. The intragranular and intergranular diamagnetic transition, intrinsic and coupling peak temperatures, the onset temperature of grain decoupling and the Josephson phase-locking temperature of (Bi1.6Pb0.4)Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 were not suppressed at lower CuS additions (x ≤ 0.2 wt%) but further CuS additions (x = 0.8–1.5 wt%) severely suppressed these properties. The highest Josephson current (10.82 μA) and Josephson energy coupling (22.22 meV) were exhibited by the non-added sample. The volume fraction of the grains decreased when CuS was added which indicated that the intergranular contribution was enhanced as shown by the AC susceptibility curves for all added samples. The highest transport critical current density, Jct at 40 K was for x = 0.2 wt% sample (4713 mA cm−2). The effect of internal lattice strain on the transition temperatures was also discussed. This work showed that lower addition of CuS could enhance the connectivity between the grains and enhance flux pinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring photothermal nanomaterials is essential for new energy and biomedical applications; however, preparing materials with intense absorption, highly efficient light‐to‐heat conversion, and enhanced photostability still faces the enduring challenge. Herein, the study synthesizes atomic‐thin (≈1.6 nm) 2D copper sulfide (AT‐CuS) plasmonic nanocrystals and find its extraordinary photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) reaching up to 94.3% at the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window. Photophysical mechanism studies reveal that the strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and out‐of‐plane size effect of AT‐CuS induce strong optical absorption and non‐equilibrium carrier scattering, resulting in a significant carrier‐phonon coupling (7.18 × 1017 J K−1 s−1 m−3), ultimately enhancing the heat generation. Such a photothermal nanomaterial demonstrates at leastmes stronger NIR‐II photoacoustic (PA) signal intensity than that of most commonly used miniature gold nanorods, together with greater biocompatibility and photo‐/thermal‐stability, enabling noninvasive PA imaging of brain microvascular in living animals. This work provides an insight into the rational exploration of superb NIR‐II photothermal and photoacoustic agents for future practical utilizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]