Chemical bath deposition of CuxS thin films and their prospective large area applications
TL;DR: In this article, a range of combination of rsquare operator approximately 30 Omega to 1 M Omega and T% (500 nm) approximately 1 to 65 and a color of reflected daylight (golden yellow, purple, blue, green, etc.) can be obtained from chemical baths constituted from copper(II) chloride, triethanolamine and thiourea at appropriate pH.
Abstract: CuxS thin films with a wide range of sheet resistances (rSquare Operator ) and optical transmittance (T%), indicating different composition x, have been obtained from chemical baths constituted from copper(II) chloride, triethanolamine and thiourea at appropriate pH (10-12). Depending on the deposition parameters, a range of combination of rSquare Operator approximately=30 Omega to 1 M Omega and T% (500 nm) approximately=1 to 65 and a range of colour of reflected daylight (golden yellow, purple, blue, green, etc.) can be obtained. The films have been found to be stable with respect to electrical and optical properties on storage under ambient. Various possible large area applications such as in architectural glazing, photothermal and photovoltaic conversions are discussed.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors have described in detail, chemical bath deposition method of metal chalcogenide thin films, it is capable of yielding good quality thin films and their preparative parameters, structural, optical, electrical properties etc.
Abstract: Metal chalcogenide thin films preparation by chemical methods are currently attracting considerable attention as it is relatively inexpensive, simple and convenient for large area deposition. A variety of substrates such as insulators, semiconductors or metals can be used since these are low temperature processes which avoid oxidation and corrosion of substrate. These are slow processes which facilitates better orientation of crystallites with improved grain structure. Depending upon deposition conditions, film growth can take place by ion-by-ion condensation of the materials on the substrates or by adsorption of colloidal particles from the solution on the substrate. Using these methods, thin films of group II–VI, V–VI, III–VI etc. have been deposited. Solar selective coatings, solar control, photoconductors, solid state and photoelectrochemical solar cells, optical imaging, hologram recording, optical mass memories etc. are some of the applications of metal chalcogenide films. In the present review article, we have described in detail, chemical bath deposition method of metal chalcogenide thin films, it is capable of yielding good quality thin films. Their preparative parameters, structural, optical, electrical properties etc. are described. Theoretical background necessary for the chemical deposition of thin films is also discussed.
733 citations
TL;DR: A universal soft colloidal templating strategy for the synthesis of high-quality ultrathin metal sulphide nanocrystals, that is 3.2 nm-thick hexagonal CuS nanosheets, which are used to fabricate an electrode for a lithium-ion battery, which exhibits a large capacity and good cycling stability, even after 360 cycles.
Abstract: Ultrathin metal sulphide nanomaterials exhibit many unique properties, and are thus attractive materials for numerous applications. However, the high-yield, large-scale synthesis of well-defined ultrathin metal sulphide nanostructures by a general and facile wet-chemical method is yet to be realized. Here we report a universal soft colloidal templating strategy for the synthesis of high-quality ultrathin metal sulphide nanocrystals, that is 3.2 nm-thick hexagonal CuS nanosheets, 1.8 nm-diameter hexagonal ZnS nanowires, 1.2 nm-diameter orthorhombic Bi(2)S(3) nanowires and 1.8 nm-diameter orthorhombic Sb(2)S(3) nanowires. As a proof of concept, the ultrathin CuS nanosheets are used to fabricate an electrode for a lithium-ion battery, which exhibits a large capacity and good cycling stability, even after 360 cycles. Furthermore, high-yield, gram-scale production of these ultrathin metal sulphide nanomaterials has been achieved (~100%, without size-sorting process). Our method could be broadly applicable for the high-yield production of novel ultrathin nanostructures with great promise for various applications.
350 citations
TL;DR: On the basis of Kirkendall Effect, high symmetric 18-facet polyhedral nanocry crystals of Cu7S4 with a hollow nanocage could be converted from cubic nanocrystals of Cu2O in an aqueous media.
Abstract: On the basis of Kirkendall Effect, high symmetric 18-facet polyhedral nanocrystals of Cu7S4 with a hollow nanocage could be converted from cubic nanocrystals of Cu2O in an aqueous media. The presence of organic additives makes the surface energy of {110} smaller than those of {100} and {111}. The growth of nanocrystals along the normal direction of highest energy surface {100} leads to the formation of a 18-facet polyhedron.
233 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a solution growth technique was used to deposit Cu x S ( x ǫ = 1, 1.4, and 2) thin films on glass substrates at room temperature (300 K) and these as-deposited thin films were characterized for their structural, optical and electrical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy(AFM), optical absorption and currentvoltage (I-V ) measurements.
Abstract: A solution growth technique (SGT) has been used to deposit Cu x S ( x = 1, 1.4, and 2) thin films on glass substrates at room temperature (300 K). These as-deposited thin films are characterized for their structural, optical and electrical properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), optical absorption and current–voltage ( I – V ) measurements. XRD shows that the Cu x S layer grew with hexagonal and monoclinic phases for x = 1 and 2, respectively. SEM and AFM show the nano-particles ( x = 1 and 1.4) and nano-discs ( x = 2) formation. The optical band gaps ( E g ) of thin films are 1.26 eV (CuS), 1.96 eV (Cu 1.4 S), and 2.31 eV (Cu 2 S). In addition, surface wettability is studied by using double-distilled water drops for contact angle measurements. It is observed that the contact angle for Cu 1.4 S is larger than those for CuS and Cu 2 S films. It suggests that the x = 1.4 films have high-surface energy. Ammonia gas sensors are fabricated by using these copper sulphide thin films with silver metal contacts. Based on the time-dependent experimental results nanostructured Cu x S serve as sensor material for the detection of NH 3 molecules at room temperature.
223 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a chemical deposition technique, much simpler and more versatile than previously reported and capable of yielding good quality SnS films of thickness up to approximately 1.2 mu m under a choice of deposition conditions, is presented.
Abstract: A chemical deposition technique, much simpler and more versatile than previously reported and capable of yielding good quality SnS films of thickness up to approximately=1.2 mu m under a choice of deposition conditions, is presented. The as-prepared films are polycrystalline with p-type dark conductivity in the range 10-5-10-4 Omega -1 cm-1 for the thicker ( approximately 1 mu m) films and showing a photocurrent to dark current ratio of 5-10 under 500 W m-2 tungsten halogen illumination. The optical transmittance and reflectance spectra and the photocurrent response curves of a series of SnS samples are explicitly presented to provide insight into possible applications of these films.
181 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that atmospheric absorption causes a shift in the solar spectrum which changes the value of the optimum forbidden energy gap between the limits 1.2 ev < 1.6 ev.
Abstract: The theory of the photovoltaic effect is used to predict the characteristics of a semiconductor which would operate with an optimum efficiency as a photovoltaic solar energy converter. The existence of such an optimum material results from the interaction between the optical properties of the semiconductor which determine what fraction of the solar spectrum is utilized and its electrical properties which determine the maximum efficiency of conversion into electricity. Considerable attention is devoted to the effect of the forbidden energy gap (EG) of the semiconductor. It is shown that atmospheric absorption causes a shift in the solar spectrum which changes the value of the optimum forbidden energy gap between the limits 1.2 ev
879 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, inorganic and organic electrochromic materials are discussed in the context of developing a film-based optical shutter for a window application, which allows regulation of conductive and radiative heat transfer rates, with variable optical attenuation.
Abstract: Numerous inorganic and organic electrochromic materials are discussed in the context of developing a film-based optical shutter for a window application. It is possible electronically to alter a window's transmission and reflection properties by use of electrochromic thin films. This allows regulation of conductive and radiative heat transfer rates, with variable optical attenuation. As a result, an aperture can be optically and thermally managed, reducing space heating and cooling loads. The properties of transition metal oxides, such as WO 3 , MoO 3 , Ir 2 O 3 and V 2 O 5 are detailed. Organic systems such as heptyl viologen and polytungsten anion are reviewed. Also, intercalated structures are discussed. Various designs of working devices are outlined with emphasis on solid-state configurations. From this quantification, materials and devices with appropriate deposition techniques for window applications are detailed.
548 citations
TL;DR: Theory for the design of silicon solar energy converters commonly known as the Bell solar battery is given in this paper.Theoretical relations based on a simple model are compared with experimental data and compared with the theoretical relations.
Abstract: Theory is given for the design of silicon solar energy converters commonly known as the Bell Solar Battery. Values are given for the various parameters in the design theory. Experimental data are presented and compared with the theoretical relations based on a simple model.It is found that with present techniques, units can be made with up to 6 percent efficiency in the conversion of solar radiant energy to electrical energy. An important factor in obtaining such high efficiencies is the reduction of the series resistance of the cell to as low a value as possible.
294 citations
217 citations