Temperature Controlled Evolution of Pure Phase Cu9S5 Nanoparticles by Solvothermal Process

Copper sulphides are one of the most explored semiconductor metal sulphides because of their stoichiometric and morphological dependent optical and electrical properties, which makes them tunable for numerous optoelectronic applications. Stoichiometrically, copper sulphides exist in numerous structures which varies from the copper-rich phase (Cu2S) to the copper-deficient phase (CuS). Within these extreme stoichiometric phases lies numerous non-stoichiometric phases with interesting optical properties. Different solvothermal techniques have been explored for the synthesis of copper sulphides; however, the thermal decomposition of single source precursors provides a facile and tunable route to the synthesis of pure phase copper sulphides of different stoichiometries. In this study, copper (II) dithiocarbamate have been explored as a single source precursor compound to study the evolution of pure phase Cu9S5. Below 240 degrees C, mixed phase of CuS and Cu9S5 were obtained, and as the temperature was increased beyond 240 degrees C, keeping other reaction condition unchanged, the precursor yielded pure phase of Cu9S5. This phase selectivity at high temperature was attributed to the increased reducing ability of oleylamine (used as solvent) which enhance the evolution of the copper rich phase at high temperature. Optical and morphological studies of the pure phase Cu9S5, showed properties that varied considerably with the temperature of synthesis.

Automated summary

Copper sulphides with varying stoichiometries and structures can be synthesized through the thermal decomposition of single source precursors, and temperature plays a critical role in the synthesis of pure phase Cu9S5 from copper (II) dithiocarbamate. This phase selectivity is attributed to the enhanced reducing ability of oleylamine at high temperatures, resulting in varied optical and morphological properties in the synthesized Cu9S5.