Lithium‐Doped CuO Nanosheets: Structural Transformation, Optical, and Electrical Characteristics with Enhanced Photocatalytic and Solar Cell Performance

Abstract

Energy and environmental stuff are two of the main worries for humanity, and nanoscience plays a key role in providing the solution. Huge nano‐research activities have attracted lot of attention in the current scenario. However, designing the material with enhanced optoelectronic properties remains the foremost challenge. In the present work, the Li doped CuO nanosheets are synthesized by the chemical route and examined in photovoltaics and environmental remediation applications. The crystallographic and optical study reveals that crystallite size and bandgap decrease with an increase in lithium‐doping concentration up to 5 mole % and beyond that a reverse trend is observed. Additionally, impedance study has shown the significant contribution of lithium‐ions to the total capacitance and resistivity. Further, the photoactivity of Cu1−xLixO nanosheets (optimum concentration of Cu1−xLixO NSs (x = 0.05)) is projected to the degradation of methylene blue (MB) and used to fabricate bulk heterojunction solar cell together with P3HT and PCBM blend, respectively. The ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PC70BM:Cu1−xLixO (x = 0.05)/LiF/Al solar cell realized higher power‐conversion efficiency η ˜ 3.91 than their corresponding pristine device η ˜ 2.98 with enhanced photocurrent density from 9.026 to 11.56 mA cm−2. The proliferation in photocatalysts and solar cells efficiency of Cu1−xLixO (x = 0.05) is mainly attributed to the higher light absorption and lesser electron‐hole recombination. The approach for the synthesis of Cu1−xLixO NSs as potential donor material and device prototypes fabricated is completely safe and cost‐effective.

Development of enduring interstitial defects in Mg-doped CuO thin films

“…27 A g mode represents the in-phase or out-phase rotation of CuO and B g 1 , B g 2 modes are due to the bending of CuO and symmetric stretching of oxygen respectively. 28,29…”

“…27 A g mode represents the in-phase or out-phase rotation of CuO and B g 1 , B g 2 modes are due to the bending of CuO and symmetric stretching of oxygen respectively. 28,29 Fig. 5 shows the Raman spectra of Mg doped CuO thin lms deposited by spray pyrolysis on glass substrate.…”

Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using Sargassum spp. for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2

“…The TEM experiments showed that the morphologies of the SCuNPs‐3, Figure 3 (a–c), correspond to nanoflakes formed by the accumulation of the CuO and Cu nuclei, which aggregate to form flower‐like particles that grow in different directions with almost uniform sizes. [ 17 , 18 , 19 ] Besides, CuO and Cu nanoflakes of different sizes comprise aggregating nanorods. The width of the flakes was estimated to be 8.3 nm (Figure 3c ).…”

Constructing Crystalline g‐C3N4/g‐C3N4−xSx Isotype Heterostructure for Efficient Photocatalytic and Piezocatalytic Performances

“…Apparently, the arc radius of CNF/SCNF‐MS is smaller than that of CNF‐MS and SCNF‐MS, indicating the lower charge‐transfer resistance and the more efficient separation of photo‐generated charge carriers in the heterostructure for photocatalytic reactions. [ 57–59 ] Meanwhile, the lower charge‐transfer resistance of CNF‐MS and SCNF‐MS compared with CNF and SCNF (Figure , Supporting Information) proves that the higher crystallinity benefits charge‐carrier transfer process. Moreover, post treatment by NaBH 4 can further promote the charge transfer and separation of samples attributed to the introduced cyano groups that can serve as strong electron withdrawing sites.…”