Copper Sulfide Nanostructures Research Articles

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of microcanals Mg-S-Cu-S as an electrode material for energy storage applications

The synthesis of novel nanostructured electrode materials is the community demand to overcome energy crises. Herein, the nanostructured copper-sulfide, copper-cadmium-sulfide and copper-magnesium-sulfide (Cu-S, Cd-S-Cu-S and Mg-S-Cu-S) electrodes are synthesized by chemical vapor deposition technique. The changes in crystal growth and surface morphologies of Cu-S, Cd-S-Cu-S and Mg-S-Cu-S electrodes are associated with the formation of heterostructures and change in energy fluxes. The weight % of Ni, Cu, S; Ni, Cd, Cu, S; and Ni, Mg, Cu, S are found to be 8, 62, 30; 6, 16, 48, 30; 15, 14, 45, 26 are observed in Cu-S, Cd-S-Cu-S and Mg-S-Cu-S electrodes respectively. The Mg-S-Cu-S electrode showed superior specific capacitance of 4393 and 5657 F/g at 1 mV/s and 1.0 A/g respectively. The maximum energy density and power density of Mg-S-Cu-S electrode are found to be 141 Wh/kg and 2120 W/kg respectively. The cyclic retention after 3000 cycles of Cu-S, Cd-S-Cu-S and Mg-S-Cu-S electrodes are found to be 80.8, 87.5 and 96.2 % respectively. The simulation results show that the Cd-S-Cu-S followed more capacitive-controlled while Mg-S-Cu-S followed more diffusive controlled process. Result show that the Mg-S-Cu-S electrode is comparatively more suitable for portable energy storage devices.

Precursor engineering for soft selective synthesis of phase pure metal-rich digenite (Cu9S5) and djurleite (Cu31S16) nanocrystals and investigation of their photo-switching characteristics.

Copper sulfide nanostructures have evolved as one of the most technologically important materials for energy conversion and storage owing to their economic and non-toxic nature and superior performances. This paper presents a direct, scalable synthetic route aided by a single source molecular precursor (SSP) approach to access copper sulfide nanomaterials. Two SSPs, CuX(dmpymSH)(PPh3)2 (where X = Cl or I), were synthesized in quantitative yields and thermolyzed under appropriate conditions to afford the nanostructures. The analysis of the nanostructures through pXRD, EDS and XPS suggested that phase pure digenite (Cu9S5) and djurleite (Cu31S16) nanostructures were isolated from -Cl and -I substituted SSPs, respectively. The morphologies of the as-synthesized nanomaterials were investigated using electron microscopy techniques (SEM and TEM). DRS studies on pristine materials revealed blue shifted optical band gaps, which were found to be optimum for photoelectrochemical application. A prototype photoelectrochemical cell fabricated using the pristine nanostructures exhibited a stable photo-switching property, which presents these materials as suitable economic and environmentally friendly photon absorber materials.

Metallic Copper-Based Dual-Enzyme Biomimetic Nanoplatform for Mild Photothermal Enhancement of Anticancer Catalytic Activity.

Background: Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is recognized as a promising cancer treatment. Recently, copper sulfide nanostructures have been extensively employed as Fenton-like reagents that catalyze the formation of acutely toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). However, CDT therapeutic potency is restricted by the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as insufficient amounts of hydrogen peroxide, excessive glutathione levels, etc. To address these disadvantages, glucose oxidase (GOx) or catalase (CAT) can be utilized to enhance CDT, while low therapeutic efficacy still inhibits their future applications. Our previous study revealed that mild photothermal effect could boost the CDT catalytic effectiveness as well as GOx enzyme activity over a range. Results: We engineered and constructed a hollow CuS nanoplatform loaded with GOx and CAT, coating with macrophage membranes (M@GOx-CAT@CuS NPs). The nanoplatforms allowed enhancement of the reactive oxygen species creation rate and GOx catalytic activeness of CDT through mild phototherapy directed by photoacoustic imaging. After actively targeting vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in cancer cells mediated by macrophage membrane coating, M@GOx-CAT@CuS NPs released GOx and CAT under near-infrared irradiation. GOx catalyzed the formation of H2O2 and gluconic acid with glucose, creating a better catalytic environment for CDT. Meanwhile, CAT-catalyzed H2O2 decomposition to generate sufficient oxygen, appropriately alleviating the oxygen shortage in the TME. In addition, starvation effects decreased adenosine triphosphate levels and further underregulated heat shock protein expression to reduce the heat resistance of tumor cells, resulting in a better mild phototherapy outcome. Both invitro and invivo experiments demonstrated that the newly developed M@GOx-CAT@CuS nanoplatform has remarkable synergistic anticancer therapeutic effects. Conclusion: The cascade reaction-enhanced biomimetic nanoplatform opens up a new avenue for precision tumor diagnostic and therapeutic research.

Performance of high sensitive heterojunction CuS/porous silicon photodetector

In this work, copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructure was deposited on a porous silicon wafer for the visible light by spray pyrolysis method. Through this, a series of devices were suggested as a part of the deposit concentration of CuS on n-type porous silicon. Simultaneously, the physical features of the attained film were illustrated. FESEM exhibited that the average nanoparticle diameter increased with the concentration of CuS at orientation (100) and was found to be 47.84 nm, 56.36nm and 71.32nm, while the average diameter at (111) orientation was found to be 37.64 nm, 41.46nm, 55.22 nm of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5M respectively. In addition to the atomic force microscope (AFM) showed the roughness and uniformity of the CuS/PSi fabricated decreased with increasing concentration of CuS, In detail, the attained photo-responsivity and specific detectivity were observed to be 210 mW/A, 340 mW/A and 3×1010 Jones, 4.2×1010 Jones at orientation (100 )using concentration of 0.1M and 0.5M respectively . On the other hand, the photo-responsivity and specific detectivity were observed to be 260 mW/A, 380 mW/A and 1.8 ×1010 Jones, 4.5×1010 Jones at orientation (111) using concentrations of 0.1M and 0.5M respectively. The presented work shows a substitutional system for an economical and environmentally friendly optoelectronic scheme. The photo-responsive considered to be in a positive linear relationship with the used concentration.

CuS-Cu hybrid nanostructures and their applications in electrochemical sensing of homocysteine

In this study, copper sulfide nanostructures (CuS) and CuS-Cu hybrid structures were synthesized and tested for their potential in electrochemical sensing of homocysteine (HcySH). The determination of HcySH assumes high clinical relevance, as it is a biomarker of cardiovascular diseases, and an indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency. We introduce a portable and versatile sensor system by preparing an FTO-based electrode, thus enhancing the practical utility of the CuS-based sensor in diverse applications. The electrochemical sensing activity is tested in GC/CuS-Cu and FTO/CuS-Cu electrodes. The fabricated FTO/CuS-Cu stand-alone electrode system exhibited superior performances in the quantitative estimation of HcySH. The cyclic voltammetric response showed linearity of current against the concentration of HcySH in the range from 0 to 50 μM.The amperometric response of the FTO/CuS-Cu electrode against different concentrations of HcySH varies linearly in the range of 16 to 83 μM. The limit of detection (LOD) of the system for HcySH is 1.63 µM. CuS and Cu NPs form an electrically conductive layer at the surface of the electrode, and they enable active sites and provide direct electron transfer. The synergetic combination of “binding Cu NPs with HcySH” and the “catalytic activity of CuS in the redox reaction of HcySH” might facilitate electrochemical communication. The platform is also studied in Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), and it can be employed as a low-cost point-of-care diagnostic tool.

Fatty Amine-Mediated Synthesis of Hierarchical Copper Sulfide Nanoflowers for Efficient NIR-II Photothermal Conversion and Antibacterial Performance.

Non-noble metal photothermal materials have recently attracted increasing attention as unique alternatives to noble metal-based ones due to advantages like earth abundance, cost-effectiveness, and large-scale application capability. In this study, hierarchical copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructures with tunable flower-like morphologies and dimensional sizes are prepared via a fatty amine-mediated one-pot polyol synthesis. In particular, the addition of fatty amines induces a significant decrease in the overall particle size and lamellar thickness, and their morphologies and sizes could be tuned using different types of fatty amines. The dense stacking of nanosheets with limited sizes in the form of such a unique hierarchical architecture facilitates the interactions of the electromagnetic fields between adjacent nanoplates and enables the creation of abundant hot-spot regions, thus, benefiting the enhanced second near-infrared (NIR-II) light absorptions. The optimized CuS nanoflowers exhibit a photothermal conversion efficiency of 37.6%, realizing a temperature increase of nearly 50 °C within 10 min under 1064 nm laser irradiations at a power density of 1 W cm-2. They also exhibit broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, rendering them promising candidates for combating a spectrum of bacterial infections. The present study offers a feasible strategy to generate nanosheet-based hierarchical CuS nanostructures and validates their promising use in photothermal conversion, which could find important use in NIR-II photothermal therapy.

Near-infrared light-mediated CuS@Rutin nanocomposites for the PTT/PDT synergistic treatment in bacterial infections

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) and heat-based photothermal therapy (PTT) have garnered significant attention for their non-resistant and minimally invasive characteristics in the treatment of bacterial infections. However, the excessive generation of ROS during treatment can lead to persistent levels of oxidative stress, causing irreversible damage to surrounding tissues. In this study, we successfully synthesized a multifunctional nanocomposite consisting of hollow interior and porous surface nanostructured copper sulfide (Nano CuS) loaded with Rutin, a compound known for its ROS scavenging properties. This nanocomposite effectively eliminates bacteria through PDT and PTT in the initial stage, while simultaneously releasing Rutin to clear ROS at the site of inflammation. This dual therapeutic approach provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a promising strategy for combating bacterial infections. Overall, our synthesized nanomaterial demonstrates excellent efficacy in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory applications, offering new insights for future developments in infection treatments.

Enhanced performance of self-powered CuS photodetectors with Al doping and dark current suppression

In this study, un- and aluminum (Al)-doped copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructures were synthesized using the sonochemical method and employed as a photodetector. The physical properties were characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–Vis-NIR absorption, photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectroscopies. The CuS nanostructures exhibited a polycrystalline covellite structure. Al doping, at different concentrations, influenced the crystallite size, with a reduction at lower concentrations and an increase at higher concentrations. Transmission electron microscope images revealed that Al doping led to an increase in the average size of CuS nanostructures. Elemental analysis indicated Cu-poor stoichiometry, which was intensified with higher Al concentrations. Evaluation of electrical properties showed that all samples exhibited dominant hole (p-type) electrical conductivity. Moreover, in Al-doped CuS nanostructures, both the carrier density and diode coefficient increased compared to the undoped sample. Photodetectors fabricated with CuS nanostructures demonstrated that Al doping suppressed dark current and enhanced photocurrent.

Biomineralization-Inspired Copper Sulfide Decorated Aramid Textiles via In Situ Anchoring toward Versatile Wearable Thermal Management.

Designing smart textiles for personal thermal management (PTM) is an effective strategy for thermoregulation and energy saving. However, the manufacture of versatile high-performance thermal management textiles for complex real-world environments remains a challenge due to the limitations of functional integration, material properties, and preparation procedures. In this study, an aramid fabric based on in situ anchored copper sulfide nanostructure is developed. The textile with excellent solar and Joule heating properties can effectively keep the body warm even at low energy inputs. Meanwhile, the reduced infrared emissivity of the textile decreases the thermal radiation losses and helps to maintain a constant body temperature. Impressively, the textile integrates superb electromagnetic shielding, near-complete UV protection properties, and ideal resistance to fire and bacteria. This work provides a simple strategy for fabricating multi-functional integrated wearable devices with flexibility and breathability, which is highly promising in versatile PTM applications.

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

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.

Copper(II) sulfide nanostructures and its nanohybrids: recent trends, future perspectives and current challenges

Copper(II) sulfide nanostructures and its nanohybrids: recent trends, future perspectives and current challenges

Morphology Variations in Copper Sulfide Nanostructures as Anode Materials for Na-Ion Capacitors

Morphology Variations in Copper Sulfide Nanostructures as Anode Materials for Na-Ion Capacitors

Enhanced performance of visible-range nanostructured CuS photodetectors by Zn concentrations

This research investigates the physical and electrical properties of copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructures grown using the sonochemical method. The effect of adding zinc (Zn) dopant in different concentrations was studied through various analyses. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern analysis revealed that CuS samples exhibit a hexagonal covellite structure, and the presence of the dopant increases the strain on the crystal lattice of CuS. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images demonstrated a decrease in the size of CuS nanostructures with the addition of Zn dopant atoms. Optical analyses indicated that the absorption intensity increases and the intensity of photoluminescence emissions decrease with the addition of Zn dopant in different concentrations. Furthermore, the addition of Zn concentrations improved the electrical properties of CuS. Ultimately, it was observed that the quality parameters of the photodetector improved in Zn-doped samples due to enhancements in physical and electrical properties.

Sodium Alginate-CuS Nanostructures Synthesized at the Gel-Liquid Interface: An Efficient Photocatalyst for Redox Reaction and Water Remediation.

The use of visible light to propel chemical reactions is an exciting area of study that is crucial in the current socioeconomic environment. However, various photocatalysts have been developed to harness visible light, which consume high energy during synthesis. Thus, synthesizing photocatalysts at gel-liquid interfaces in ambient conditions is of scientific importance. Herein, we report an environmentally benign sodium alginate gel being used as a biopolymer template to synthesize copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructures at the gel-liquid interface. The driving force for the synthesis of CuS nanostructures is varied by changing the pH of the reaction medium (i.e., pH 7.4, 10, and 13) to tailor the morphology of CuS nanostructures. The CuS nanoflakes obtained at pH 7.4 transform into nanocubes when the pH is raised to 10, and the nanostructures deform at the pH of 13. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms all the characteristic stretching of sodium alginate, whereas the CuS nanostructures are crystallized in a hexagonal crystal system, as revealed by the powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra show the +2 and -2 oxidation states of copper (Cu) and sulfur (S) ions, respectively. The CuS nanoflakes physisorbed a higher concentration of greenhouse CO2 gas. Owing to a lower band gap of CuS nanoflakes synthesized at a pH of 7.4, compared to other CuS nanostructures prepared at pH 10 and 13, CuS photocatalytically degrades 95% of crystal violet and 98% of methylene blue aqueous dye solutions in 60 and 90 min, respectively, under blue light illumination. Additionally, sodium alginate-copper sulfide (SA-CuS) nanostructures synthesized at a pH of 7.4 demonstrate excellent performance in photoredox reactions to convert ferricyanide to ferrocyanide. The current research opens the door to developing new photocatalytic pathways for a wide range of photochemical reactions involving nanoparticle-impregnated alginate composites prepared on gel interfaces.

Structural, morphological, optical, and antibacterial properties of Mn and (Ag, Mn) co-doped copper sulfide nanostructures

Structural, morphological, optical, and antibacterial properties of Mn and (Ag, Mn) co-doped copper sulfide nanostructures

Effect of iron concentration on the structure and thermoelectric performance of copper sulphide nanostructures

Nanostructured copper sulfide (CuS) and iron (Fe) doped CuS materials were synthesized through facile chemical co-precipitation route by using ammonia as a capping agent. Evaluations of the structural, morphological, and electrical behavior of the fabricated materials were carried out by employing XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR, and two probe I–V method. XRD exhibited cubic phase of CuS and later on peak broadening was observed in the samples upon Fe incorporation. Cu–S linkage and presence of other functional groups were figured out through application of FTIR. Furthermore, a boost in electric current has observed across the synthesized samples during the study of I–V characteristics and such behavior can be attributed towards increase of Fe content, temperature, and voltage across the synthesized nanomaterials.

Robust superhydrophobic coating fabricated on copper mesh with anti-corrosion property for oil/water separation

In this work, rod-shaped copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructures were synthesized on copper mesh (CM) by chemical oxidation and subsequent sulfonation. The obtained CuS nanostructures and further 1-dodecanethiol (DDT) modification endowed CM with extraordinary superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning ability. More importantly, the resulted CuS@DDT film was proved to improve the corrosion resistance of CM by electrochemical measurements in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. Moreover, the fabricated mesh exhibited superior mechanical stability by adopting different mesh sandpaper for 20 abrasion cycles. Thus, the CuS@DDT CM with above exceptional performances was employed to successfully separate different types of oil from water and delivered desirable recyclability.

Effect of different precursors on the electrochemical behavior of CuS nanostructures as electrode material for supercapacitor applications

In the present work, we synthesized copper sulfide (CuS) nanostructure using the co-precipitation technique by employing two different copper precursors such as copper nitrate, copper chloride with water as a solvent in order to investigate the effect of different precursors on the electrochemical behavior of CuS nanostructures as electrode material for supercapacitor application. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the pure phase (hexagonal-P63/mmc) formation of CuS nanostructures. The morphological and elemental compositional studies are done by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy respectively. Electrochemical characterizations like cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilized to analyze the super capacitive properties of the fabricated electrode material in a three-electrode system using 2 M KOH solution as an aqueous electrolyte. The highest value of specific capacitance is found to be 346.66F/g at 2 A/g for the sample synthesized via copper nitrate precursor. Furthermore, it also displayed good cycling stability with more than 80 % retention of capacitance over 500 GCD cycles. Hence, the analysis of the result revealed that precursors play a major role in modifying the electrochemical properties.

Composition controllable alga-mediated green synthesis of covellite CuS nanostructure: An efficient photocatalyst for degradation of toxic dye

A facile, convenient and green method has been devised for the synthesis of a covellite phase copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuSNPs) using aqueous extract of a green alga, Chlorella ellipsoidea. The algal phytochemicals are conjectured to have served as both reducing and capping agent. The absorption features in the NIR region of the UV–visible-NIR spectrum confirmed the formation of covellite copper sulfide nanostructures. The FTIR spectrum of the as-synthesized CuSNPs indicated the involvement of functional groups of biomolecule as surface-ligands on the outer surface of the nanoparticle. The XRD reflections were indexed to hexagonal phase covellite CuS structure. The TEM study revealed a predominantly spherical morphology of particle size in the range of 9–23 nm with some agglomeration. The dark field microscope images also confirm the formation of CuS nanoparticles. EDX analysis of the synthesized nanoparticles confirms the presence of only ‘Cu’ and ‘S’ indicating formation of pure CuS nanoparticles. The as-synthesized nanoparticles exhibited excellent photocatalytic property for the degradation of a water soluble toxic methylene blue dye under scattered sunlight. The dye degradation (rate = 0.03692 min−1) was ascertained to be pseudo-first order with regression coefficient, R2 being 0.96884. The photocatalyst is readily recoverable and showed excellent stability even after four cycles.

A novel cathodic electrochemiluminescent sensor based on CuS/carbon quantum dots/g-C3N4 nanosheets and boron nitride quantum dots for the sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticide

In this project, a novel promising electrochemiluminescence probe based on ternary nanocomposite as CuS/CQDs/g-C3N4NS was demonstrated for the accurate monitoring of diazinon as a popular organophosphate pesticide. This nanocomposite as a promoted luminophore was synthesized by a simple microwave method. Carbon quantum dots and copper sulfide nanostructures displayed a good cooperative effect on the signal improvement. Also, boron nitride quantum dots were introduced as a new and effective co-reactant in the negative potential window for a carbon-based electrochemiluminescence system for the first time. The ultra-sensitive electrochemiluminescence platform was truly used for the analysis of diazinon. The broad linear dynamic range and low limit of detection were obtained from 1.0 × 10−15 to 5.0 × 10−9 M and 2.2 × 10−16 M, respectively. Owing to superior proficiency in accurate diazinon analysis, the developed sensor was used as a new applicable probe for quantitative analysis of diazinon in real samples.