CoS-carbon nanotube heterostructure: one-step synthesis and optical properties

This article reports on the synthesis, characterization, and optical properties of a cobalt sulphide (CoS) quantum dot (QD)-decorated multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) heterostructure. A novel one-pot chemical-solution route has been used for the in situ synthesis of a CoS-decorated MWCNT heterostructure without disturbing the inherent structure of the MWCNTs. The synthesized heterostructure has been extensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The UV-absorption and fluorescence spectral properties of pristine MWCNTs are significantly improved after heterostructure formation with CoS-QDs.