Several transition metal sulfides (CuS, NiS/Ni3S2, FeS2, Co9S8) with various morphologies are in situ synthesized on the corresponding metal foils in the presence of sulfur by a facile single-mode microwave irradiation approach. The irradiation temperature is found to be a key parameter to tune product morphologies for various metal sulfides (CuS nanoparticle at 25 degrees C; CuS nanobud at 80 degrees C, CuS nanosheet at 140 degrees C; NiS/Ni3S2 nanoparticle at 120 degrees C, NiS/Ni3S2 interlinked nanosheet at 150 and 180 degrees C, FeS2 nanoparticle at 120 degrees C, FeS2 interlinked nanosheet at 150 degrees C, and FeS2 nanosheet at 180 degrees C). In general, the particle product is obtained at a low irradiation temperature, while nanosheet and interlinked porous nanosheet are obtained at higher temperatures. As a proof of concept, Cu foil supported CuS nanosheets and nanobuds are also directly used as cathode materials for lithium ion battery without addition of conductive agent and binder material. The CuS nanosheet exhibits an initial reversible capacity of 588 mAh g(-1) at 56 mA g(-1) with a small capacity fading rate of 0.17% per cycle during 100 cycles and a good high-rate capability (463 mAh g(-1) at 2.8 A g(-1)). (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.