Room-Temperature Synthesis of Hierarchical CuSCN Nanocrystals Using an Ionic Liquid Precursor.

High-quality hierarchical CuSCN microcrystals assembled by nanoplates were successfully synthesized via a metathesis reaction between SCN- ions and CuCl in ionic liquid [Bmim]SCN. The as-obtained samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that [Bmim]SCN played multiple roles during the formation process of hierarchical CuSCN microcrystals. This method is an effective and ecologically benign route to synthesize the hierarchical CuSCN microcrystals, without pollutant, heating and complicated equipment. This method is expected to be extended to synthesize other functional inorganic materials.