Janus Cu-2(OH)(2)CO3/CuS microspheres were prepared via a Pickering emulsion route for the first time. By treating the Janus Cu-2(OH)(2)CO3/ CuS microspheres with dilute hydrochloric acid, ringent Cu-2(OH)(2)CO3/CuS core/shell microspheres and ringent CuS shells were obtained. The hatch size of the ringent CuS shells increased with the increase of the hydrophobicity of the precursor Cu-2(OH)(2)CO3 microspheres. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersion spectra, and particle size analysis were used to characterize the products thus formed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.