Cathodic electrodeposition of ZnO and CuSCN thin films in the presence of glutathione

Abstract

The effect of a tripeptide molecule glutathione (γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteniylglycine, QCG) is studied as a structure-directing agents (SDA) for cathodic electrodeposition of ZnO and CuSCN from aqueous solutions, which are known to be wide bandgap semiconductors of n and p types, respectively. From experiences, hard Lewis basic-COOH group act as an anchor to the hard Lewis acidic Zn(II) sites of ZnO, whereas soft Lewis basic groups such as-SH and-NH 2 are expected to interact with soft Lewis acidic Cu(I) sites of CuSCN. QCG have all these anchoring groups within its structure and was found to affect the growth of both ZnO and CuSCN, leading to alteration of crystallographic orientations and evolution of unique nanostructures.

Electrochemical Self-Assembly of Nanostructured CuSCN/Rhodamine B Hybrid Thin Film and Its Dye-Sensitized Photocathodic Properties

“…Recently, Powar et al have succeeded in achieving 1.3% conversion efficiency for a DSSC in an inverted structure employing a porous p-NiO electrode sensitized with a specially designed dye to achieve a high rectification with kinetically reversible Co­(II/III) ethylene diamine complex electrolyte . We have been seeking to perform cathodic electrodeposition of CuSCN, a p-type, wide-bandgap semiconductor, into highly crystallized thin films at low temperature. − CuSCN has been frequently used as a hole conductor in nanostructured solar cells − and also as a sensitized photocathode in combination with hole-injecting dyes. ,,, Therefore, ESA of CuSCN-based hybrid thin films could serve nicely as a counterpart to the well-established ZnO-based hybrid systems.…”