Single source precursor mediated synthesis of phase pure digenite nanocrystals and investigation of its photo-switching behavior

Abstract

Copper sulfide nanostructures have garnered strategic importance in green energy applications due to their economic nature and impressive performances. This account presents a straightforward and scalable route to access digenite (Cu1.8S or Cu9S5) phase of copper sulfide in nano-dimension. The synthesis is facilitated through low temperature rapid thermolysis of a newly synthesized and structurally characterized single source molecular precursor, namely [Cu(Spyz-2)(PPh3)2]·MeOH (1). The crystal structure, phase purity, and morphology of the nanostructures were thoroughly examined by PXRD and electron microscopic techniques. The average crystallite size and morphology of the nanostructures were found to be the function of the different capping agents (OAm and DDT) employed for the synthesis. DRS studies on the nanomaterials revealed blue shifted optical band gap (2.09–2.13 eV) which were found to be optimum for photoelectrochemical application. A prototype photoelectrochemical cell, fabricated using the pristine nanostructures exhibit high photocurrent generation along with nice photo-switching property which pose them as suitable alternatives for green energy applications and environmental remediation.