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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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Nanoenergy Advances |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-706X/5/1/3 |
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| author | Ioannis T. Papadas Sergey M. Pozov Iain Hamilton Marc Sims Ioannis Vamvasakis Apostolos Ioakeimidis Gerasimos S. Armatas Donal D. C. Bradley Stelios A. Choulis |
| author_facet | Ioannis T. Papadas Sergey M. Pozov Iain Hamilton Marc Sims Ioannis Vamvasakis Apostolos Ioakeimidis Gerasimos S. Armatas Donal D. C. Bradley Stelios A. Choulis |
| author_sort | Ioannis T. Papadas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e69159b1b57c4e9496df47ab8b644bc5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-706X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanoenergy Advances |
| spelling | doaj-art-e69159b1b57c4e9496df47ab8b644bc52025-08-20T01:49:01ZengMDPI AGNanoenergy Advances2673-706X2025-02-0151310.3390/nanoenergyadv5010003Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization StudiesIoannis T. Papadas0Sergey M. Pozov1Iain Hamilton2Marc Sims3Ioannis Vamvasakis4Apostolos Ioakeimidis5Gerasimos S. Armatas6Donal D. C. Bradley7Stelios A. Choulis8Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, GreeceMolecular Electronics and Photonics Research Unit, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3603, CyprusPhysical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi ArabiaPhysical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, GreeceMolecular Electronics and Photonics Research Unit, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3603, CyprusDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, GreecePhysical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi ArabiaMolecular Electronics and Photonics Research Unit, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol 3603, CyprusIn 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).https://www.mdpi.com/2673-706X/5/1/3metal chalcogenidesCuScovellitecopper sulfidesolution combustion synthesisp-type semiconductor |
| spellingShingle | Ioannis T. Papadas Sergey M. Pozov Iain Hamilton Marc Sims Ioannis Vamvasakis Apostolos Ioakeimidis Gerasimos S. Armatas Donal D. C. Bradley Stelios A. Choulis Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization Studies Nanoenergy Advances metal chalcogenides CuS covellite copper sulfide solution combustion synthesis p-type semiconductor |
| title | Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization Studies |
| title_full | Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization Studies |
| title_fullStr | Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization Studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization Studies |
| title_short | Low-Temperature Solution Combustion-Synthesized CuSNanoparticulated Functional Thin Films: Structural and Optoelectronic Characterization Studies |
| title_sort | low temperature solution combustion synthesized cusnanoparticulated functional thin films structural and optoelectronic characterization studies |
| topic | metal chalcogenides CuS covellite copper sulfide solution combustion synthesis p-type semiconductor |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-706X/5/1/3 |
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