CuS-CuO nanoparticles for antennas collect light through their conductivity by absorbing a single photon located at the wavelength of 254 nm

Abstract

CuS-CuO nanoparticles were prepared by air annealing as-made CuS nanoparticles deposited using spray pyrolysis. The optical, structural, and morphological properties of samples were investigated by UV–VIS Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The XRD analysis of as-prepared sample include two phases CuS and Cu2S, while annealed films are a mixture of CuS and CuO phases. The dimensions of the CuS crystallites were estimated by Williamson's method on the diffraction peaks (81 nm) while the dimensions of the CuO ones were statistically evaluated via the SEM image (95 nm) and corroborated by Williamson's method on the diffraction peaks (98 nm). SEM study of annealed samples reveals that nanoparticles are monocrystalline. Optical analysis shows more than 80 % transmittance through sample thickness 164 nm in the infrared region and two energy bandgaps of 1.92 and 2.50 eV in the visible region associated with CuO and CuS, respectively. In addition, we observe after several optical excitations that only the UV wavelength of 254 nm gives a tangible electrical response. We understand from the literature that this is only possible through one interpretation of the antenna effect. Optical antennas aim to freely change light rays into local energy. In fact, our sample presents nanoparticles with sizes around 80 nm that show clear absorption through the development of their reproducible resistance that increases with polarization toward saturation after 5 V. Therefore, we propose using prepared nanoparticles in a light-harvesting antenna for artificial photodetector and other optoelectronic applications.