Facile synthesis of nano-sized CuFe₂S₃: morphology and diverse functional tuning and crystal growth mechanism...

Ternary chalcogenide compounds are such promising and have been used for much practical applications. As a sort of these compounds, cubanite (CuFe₂S₃) possess some unique properties which can be used in different fields. In our study, we developed a facile one pot synthesis of CuFe₂S₃ nanocrystals (NCs) at a low reaction temperature, and achieved a morphology and phase composition tuning of the NCs through changing a variety of precursors and surfactants, meanwhile improved their magnetism and optical properties. Eventually, well-ordered and 'nano-brick' like CuFe₂S₃ NCs were obtained and showed best magnetism and near-infrared fluorescence properties. Furthermore, the NCs were proved with good biocompatibility and possibility for cell labeling. This kind of materials with lower toxicity and potential of magnetic is bound to remedy the defects of photoluminescence quantum dots (QDs) and be with higher potential in the field of biological diagnosis and multi-functional system construction.