Standardizing the optimal photo-diode performance of CuO nanostructures through various morphological patterns

Abstract

The CuO nanocrystals were prepared using a simple surfactant-assisted co-precipitation technique then addition of anionic surfactants such as Hexamine (HEX), Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) leads to the formation of CuO nanostructures on the surface of spherical particles. Samples were characterized via X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and I-V characteristics. According to various spectroscopic results, all surfactant decorated CuO nanocrystal have a monoclinic crystal structure. Then the average grain size of CuO samples supported by HEX, PVA, PVP and CTAB is approximately 72 nm. The properties of surfactants have been shown to affect size and shape. In addition, the FT-IR spectra of all samples show three similar vibration modes of CuO, this indicates the presence of a monoclinic CuO crystal structure. According to absorbance data, the quantum confinement effect caused by the use of surfactant significantly affects the optical bandgap value, ranging from 3.00 to 2.59 eV. Current-voltage characteristics [I-V] unveil the photodiode parameters of prepared diode are evaluated in the dark and light condition. In this case, the barrier height (ΦB) is 0.80 eV and the ideal value for the diode (n) is 2.05, which is more suitable for photodiode applications.