Electrochemical synthesis of CuSCN nanostructures, tuning the morphological and structural characteristics: From nanorods to nanostructured layers

P-type CuSCN nanorods (NRs) grown on CuSCN seed layers were obtained with modulated diameters through an electrochemical procedure. Their morphological, structural, optical, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical features were studied in depth. Morphology of samples can be tuned from a near vertically and dense 1D nanostructure to a quasi 2D film according the value of the SCN-/Cu2+ molar ratio (r) present in the electrochemical bath. Raman studies confirmed the nature of CuSCN in its beta phase. For low r values CuSCN NRs presented high preferential orientation along the c-axis and high optical scattering at low wavelengths which lead to both low haze and high integrated diffuse reflectance. Band gap values were also affected by the r value thus experiencing a redshift, probably related to both quantum confinement and light dispersion. Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical measurements confirmed the p-type behavior of samples together with the enhancement of their surface at low r values. This knowledge opens new and more objective perspectives in the real use of CuSCN nanostructures in photovoltaics.