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Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Synthesis of Ligand-free CdS Nanoparticles within a Sulfur Copolymer Matrix
Published on: May 1, 2016
Structural, Optical, Photoelectrochemical, and Electronic Properties of the Photocathode CuS and the Efficient
Gulistan Y Shaikh1, Dhanaraj S Nilegave1, Swapnil S Girawale1
1Centre for Energy Studies (formerly School of Energy Studies), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India.
Abstract:
We report a facile synthesis of CuS and CdS nanoparticles using a cheap solution-processed chemical bath method forming heterogeneous nucleation. The optical, structural, photoelectrochemical (PEC), and electronic properties are studied by implementing relevant experimental techniques. The estimated optical band gap of ∼2.10 eV of CuS designates potential application in inexpensive photocatalysis and solar cells. Further, the valence band and conduction band positions of CuS and CdS are evaluated using cyclic voltammetry curves. Narrow conduction and valence band offset potentials measured at the CuS/CdS heterojunction are encouraging factors for the PEC application. The electronic properties are supported by the current density vs potential plots (J-V) with an improved short-circuit current density of 0.71 mA cm-2 for the heterojunction compared to bare CuS showing 0.15 μA cm-2. The determined PCE of the heterojunction CuS/CdS is 0.65%.
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