A study on solution deposited CuSCN thin films: Structural, electrochemical, optical properties

Blessing N. Ezealigo; Assumpta C. Nwanya; Aline Simo; R. Bucher; Rose U. Osuji; Malik Maaza; M.V. Reddy; Fabian I. Ezema

Arabian Journal of Chemistry (Jan 2020)

A study on solution deposited CuSCN thin films: Structural, electrochemical, optical properties

Blessing N. Ezealigo,
Assumpta C. Nwanya,
Aline Simo,
R. Bucher,
Rose U. Osuji,
Malik Maaza,
M.V. Reddy,
Fabian I. Ezema

Affiliations

Blessing N. Ezealigo: Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Assumpta C. Nwanya: Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Aline Simo: Nanoscience African Network (NANOAFET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Capetown, South Africa
R. Bucher: Nanoscience African Network (NANOAFET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Capetown, South Africa
Rose U. Osuji: Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Nanoscience African Network (NANOAFET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Capetown, South Africa; UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa
Malik Maaza: Nanoscience African Network (NANOAFET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Capetown, South Africa; UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa
M.V. Reddy: Department of Physics and Material Science &Engineering, Faculty of Science &Engineering, National University, Singapore 117542, Singapore
Fabian I. Ezema: Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; Nanoscience African Network (NANOAFET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, Capetown, South Africa; UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences/Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa; Corresponding author at: Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 346 – 356

Abstract

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A cost-effective successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method was used to deposit copper (I) thiocyanate (CuSCN) thin films on glass and steel substrates for this study. The deposited thin films were characterized for their structural, morphological, optical and electrochemical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–visible spectroscopy and VersaSTAT potentiostat. A direct band gap of 3.88 eV and 3.6 eV with film thickness of 0.7 μm and 0.9 μm was obtained at 20 and 30 deposition cycles respectively. The band gap, microstrain, dislocation density and crystal size were observed to be thickness dependent. The specific capacitance of the CuSCN thin film electrode at 20 mV/s was 760 F g−1 for deposition 20 cycles and 729 F g−1 for deposition 30 cycles. Keywords: CuSCN, Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR), Band gap, Micro strain, Photoluminescence, Electrochemical activities

Published in Arabian Journal of Chemistry

ISSN: 1878-5352 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/arabian-journal-of-chemistry/

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