Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization Studies

In this paper, we present a one-step low-temperature solution combustion synthesis (SCS) of CuS nanoparticulated functional films processed via a simple blade-coating technique. This SCS route uses thiourea as a fuel and sulfur source, combined with copper(II) nitrate as an oxidant and a cupric ion...

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Main Authors: Ioannis T. Papadas, Sergey M. Pozov, Iain Hamilton, Marc Sims, Ioannis Vamvasakis, Apostolos Ioakeimidis, Gerasimos S. Armatas, Donal D. C. Bradley, Stelios A. Choulis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Nanoenergy Advances
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-706X/5/1/3
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Summary:In this paper, we present a one-step low-temperature solution combustion synthesis (SCS) of CuS nanoparticulated functional films processed via a simple blade-coating technique. This SCS route uses thiourea as a fuel and sulfur source, combined with copper(II) nitrate as an oxidant and a cupric ion source in an aprotic solvent such as non-toxic DMSO. It is hereby shown that the proposed SCS process formed a stable and completely dissolved molecular ink of thiourea and copper ion complexes, crucial for obtaining the pure crystalline phase of CuS nanoparticles (NPs). The CuS was formed by calcination at a low temperature of 200 °C during a brief annealing time of 20 min, to promote the synthesis of ~10 nm CuS NPs. The obtained CuS NPs were thoroughly analyzed in terms of structure and optoelectronic properties using various analytic and spectroscopic techniques, including TGA, XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, AFM, and four-point probe electrical resistivity measurements. The functionality of the prepared CuS nanoparticulated interlayers was evaluated by incorporating them as a hole injection layer (HIL) in Super Yellow (SY) organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).
ISSN:2673-706X