Galvanic synthesis of Cu2-XSe thin films and their photocatalytic and thermoelectric properties

Cu2-XSe thin film with cubic berzelianite phase was prepared by a simple, low-cost two electrode electrochemical technique and the photocatalytic and thermoelectric properties of the thin films were investigated. The results showed that Cu2-XSe crystallized in the cubic berzelianite phase and found to possess both direct and indirect band gaps of 2.9 and 1.05 eV respectively, covering almost the entire range of solar-spectrum. The photocatalytic discoloration of aqueous methylene blue (MB) and rose-bengal (RB) dyes over Cu2-XSe thin films were investigated under visible light irradiation. Cu2-XSe thin films showed higher catalytic activity for MB compared to RB in presence of H2O2. The photocatalytic discoloration followed first-order reaction kinetics. Complete removal of aqueous MB was realized after visible light irradiation for 150 min with Cu2-XSe thin film catalyst in presence of H2O2. Thermoelectric performances through power factor and figure of merit have been evaluated. Carrier concentration obtained from thermoelectric power was used to evaluate the mobility of carriers from electrical conductivity measurement. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.