Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optimizing the thermal annealing temperature: technological route for tuning the photo-detecting property of p-CuO thin films grown by chemical bath deposition method

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the current work, CuO thin films (~ 110 nm) are grown by employing chemical bath deposition (CBD) method on Si substrate for fabricating the p-CuO/n-Si heterojunction photodetectors. The as-grown films are annealed at 250, 550 and 850 °C for 10 min in Ar ambient for tuning optoelectronic properties of the as-grown CuO thin films. Comparative study on systematic annealing of the film within 250–550 °C indicates a morphological change of the as-grown CuO film to nano-fiber type with its chemical composition remaining unchanged. A variation of refractive index and dielectric constant in the range of 2.65–2.93 and 7.2–9.7, and a change of absorption coefficient and bandgap from 1.33 × 105 to 6.06 × 105 cm− 1 and 1.5 to 2.16 eV have been observed. The current–voltage characteristics both in dark and illuminated conditions suggest that the annealing of CuO film at 550 °C provides the best performance in terms of photo-to-dark current ratio and photoresponsivity. A respective enhancement of 5.07 and 10% for the photo-to-dark ratio and photoresponsivity has been observed for the 550 °C annealed sample.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. Awgouropoules, T. Joaminides, C. Papadopoulou, J. Batista, S. Hocever, H.K. Matralis, A comparative study of Pt/γ-Al2O3, Au/α-Fe2O3 and CuO–CeO2 catalyst for the selective oxidation of carbon monoxide in excess hydrogen. Catal. Today 75, 157–167 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. K. Nagase, Y. Zhang, Y. Kodama, J. Kakuta, Dynamic study of the oxidation state of copper in the course of carbon monoxide oxidation over powdered CuO and Cu2O. J. Catal. 187, 123–130 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. J. Sultana, S. Paul, A. Karmakar, R. Yi, G.K. Dalapati, S. Chattopadhyay, Chemical bath deposited (CBD) CuO thin films on n-silicon substrate for electronic and optical applications: impact of growth time. Appl. Surf. Sci. 418, 380–387 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. S. Chandrasekaran, A novel single step synthesis, high efficiency and cost effective photovoltaic applications of oxidized copper nano particles. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 109, 220–226 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Wang, C.H. Hsiao, S.J. Chang, Z.Y. Jiao, S.J. Young, S.C. Hung, B.R. Huang, ZnO branched nanowires and the p-CuO/n-ZnO heterojunction nanostructured photodetector. IEEE Trans. Nanotechnol. 12(2), 263–269 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. T. Mahalingam, J.S.P. Chitra, J.P. Chu, H. Moon, H.J. Kwon, Y.D. Kim, Photoelectrochemical solar cell studies on electroplated cuprous oxide thin films. J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron. 17, 519–523 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Z. Jin, X. Zhang, Y. Li, S. Li, G. Lu, 5.1% apparent quantum efficiency for stable hydrogen generation over eosin-sensitized CuO/TiO2 photocatalyst under visible light irradiation. Catal. Commun. 8, 1267–1273 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. L. Fu, J. Gao, T. Zhang, Q. Cao, L.C. Yang, Y.P. Wu, R. Holze, Effect of Cu2O coating on graphite as anode material of lithium ion battery in PC-based electrolyte. J. Power Sources 171, 904–907 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Y. Nakamura, H. Zhuang, A. Kishimoto, O. Okada, H. Yanagida, Enhanced CO and CO2 gas sensitivity of the CuO/ZnO heterocontact made by quenched CuO ceramics. J. Electrochem. Soc. 145, 632–637 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. J. Chen, N.Y. Huang, S.Z. Deng, J.C. She, N.S. Xu, W.X. Zhang, X.G. Wen, S.H. Yang, Effects of light illumination on field emission from CuO nanobelt arrays. Appl. Phy. Lett. 86, 157–159 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. P.C. Dai, H.A. Mook, G. Aeppli, S.M. Hayden, F. Dogan, Resonance as a measure of pairing cor-relations in the high-Tc superconductor YBa2Cu3O6.6. Nature 406, 965–968 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. S. Paul, J. Sultana, A. Karmakar, A. Bhattacharyya, S. Chattopadhyay, Investigation of the comparative photovoltaic performance of n-ZnO nanowire/P-Si and n-ZnO nanowire/p-CuO heterojunctions grown by chemical bath deposition method OPTIK 164, 745–748 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. T. Karlsson, A. Roos, Observation of diffuse interference in reflectance from oxide-coated metals. Sol. Energy Mater. 10, 105 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. D. Wu, Q. Zhang, M. Tao, LSDA+ U study of cupric oxide: electronic structure and native point defects. Phys. Rev. B 73(23), 206–235 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  15. J.S. Sagu, T.A.N. Peiris, K.G.U. Wijayantha, Rapid and simple potentiostatic deposition of copper (II) oxide thin films. Electrochem. Commun. 42, 68–71 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. J. Sultana, A. Das, A. Das, N.R. Saha, A. Karmakar, S. Chattopadhyay, Characterization of nano-powder grown ultra-thin film p-CuO/n-Si hetero-junctions by employing vapour-liquid-solid method for photovoltaic applications. Thin Solid Films 612, 331–336 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. E.A. Christie, Spectrally selective blacks for energy collection. International Solar Energy Society Conference (1970), pp. 1–7

  18. A.O. Musa, T. Akomolafe, M.J. Carter, Production of cuprous oxide, a solar cell material, by thermal oxidation and a study of its physical and electrical properties. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 51, 305–316 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. M.A. Brookshier, C.C. Chusuei, D.W. Goodman, Control of CuO particle size on SiO2 by spin coating. Langmuir 15, 2043–2046 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. J.F. Xu, W. Ji, Z.X. Shen, S.H. Tang, X.R. Ye, D.Z. Jia, X.Q. Xin, Preparation of CuO and characterization nanocrystals. J. Solid State Chem. 147, 516–519 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Y.K. Su, C.M. Shen, H.T. Yang, L. Li, H.J. Gao, Controlled synthesis of highly ordered CuO nano-wire arrays by template based sol–gel route. Trans. Nonferr. Metals Soc. China 17, 783–786 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. X.L. Tang, L. Ren, L.N. Sun, W.G. Tian, M.H. Cao, C.W. Hu, A solvothermal route to Cu2O nano-cubes and Cu nanoparticles. Chem. Res. Chin. Univ. 22, 547–551 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. C.O. Yuan, H.F. Jiang, C. Lin, S.J. Liao, Shape and size-controlled electrochemical synthesis of cupric oxide nanocrystals. J. Cryst. Growth 303, 400–406 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. J.T. Chen, F. Zhang, J. Wang, G.A. Zhang, B.B. Mian, X.Y. Fan, D. Yan, P.X. Yan, CuO nanowires synthesized by thermal oxidation route. J. Alloy. Compd. 454, 268–273 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. P.K. Nair, M.T.S. Nair, V.M. Garcia, O.L. Arenas, Y. Pena, A. Castillo, I.T. Ayala, O. Gomezdaza, A. Sanchez, J. Campos, H. Hu, R. Suarez, M.E. Rincon, Semiconductor thin films by chemical bath deposition for solar energy related applications. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 52, 313–344 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. P.K. Nair, P. Parmananda, M.T.S. Nair, Mathematical model simulating the growth of compound semiconductor thin films via chemical bath deposition. J. Cryst. Growth 206, 68–74 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. L.F. Koao, B.F. Dejene, H.C. Swart, T.E. Motaung, Dependent of reaction time on Cu-doped ZnO nanostructures prepared by chemical bath method. Int. J. Lumin. Appl. 5, 54–61 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  28. J.Q. Qi, H.Y. Tian, L.T. Li, H.L.W. Chan, Fabrication of CuO nanoparticle interlinked microsphere cages by solution method. Nanoscale Res. Lett. 2, 107–111 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Z. jian, W. Hejing, The physical meaning of 5 basic parameters for an X-ray diffraction peak and their application. Chin. J. Geochem. 22, 38–44 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. S.L. Mammah, F.E. Opara, V.B.O. Pepple, J.E.E. Ntibi, S.C. Ezugwu, F.I. Ezema, Annealing effect on the optical and solid state properties of cupric oxide thin films deposited using the Aqueous Chemical Growth (ACG) method. Nat. Sci. 5, 389–399 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  31. K.H. Yoon, W.J. Choi, D.H. Kang, Photoelectrochemical properties of copper oxide thin films coated on an n-Si substrate. Thin Solid Films 372, 250–256 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. J.P. Tobin, W. Hirschwald, J. Cunningham, XPS and XAES studies of transient enhancement of Cu1 at CuO surfaces during vacuum outgassing. Appl. Surf. Sci. 16, 441–452 (1983)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Z. Zhang, P. Wang, Highly stable copper oxide composite as an effective photocathode for water splitting via a facile electrochemical synthesis strategy. J. Mater. Chem. 22, 2456–2464 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Y.L. Liu, L. Liao, J.C. Li, C.X. Pan, From copper nanocrystalline to CuO nanoneedle array: synthesis, growth mechanism, and properties. J. Phys. Chem. 111, 5050–5056 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  35. T. Ito, H. Yamaguchi, K. Okabe, T. Masumi, Single-crystal growth and characterization of Cu2O and CuO. J. Mater. Sci. 33, 3555–3566 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. J. Tang, L. Brzozowski, D.A.R. Barkhouse, X.H. Wang, R. Debnath, R. Wolowiec, E. Palmiano, L. Levina, A.G.P. Abraham, D. Jamakosmanovic, E.H. Sargent, Quantum dot photovoltaics in the extreme quantum confinement regime: the surface-chemical origins of exceptional air-and light-stablity. ACS Nano 4, 869–878 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. R. Sahay, J. Sundaramurthy, P. Suresh Kumar, V. Thavasi, S.G. Mhaisalkar, and S.Ramakrishna, “Synthesis and characterization of CuO nanofibers and investigation for its suitability as blocking layer in ZnO NPs based dye sensitized solar cell and as photocatalyst in organic dye degradation. J. Solid State Chem. 186, 261–267 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. P. Chand, A. Gaur, A. Kumar, U.K. Gaur, Effect of NaOH molar concentration on morphology, optical and ferroelectric properties of hydrothermally grown CuO nanoplates. Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process 38, 72–80 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Z. Liang, Y. Wang, M. Su, W. Mai, J. Xu, W. Xie, P. Liu, Improving the quality of the Si/Cu2O interface by methyl-group passivation and its application in photovoltaic devices, Adv. Mater. Interfaces (2017) https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.201600833

    Google Scholar 

  40. G. Akgul, F.A. Akgul, E. Mulazimoglu, H.E. Unalan, R. Turan, Fabrication and characterization of copper oxide-silicon nanowire heterojunction photodiodes. J. Phys. D 47, 1–7 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Miss. Jenifar Sultana and Somdatta Paul would like to acknowledge the DST inspire program and University Grants Commission (UGC), India, for providing financial support to pursue their research. The authors would also like to acknowledge the DST Purse program and Center of Excellence (COE), TEQIP for providing infrastructure and financial support to conduct this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CRNN), Kolkata, 700098, India

    Jenifar Sultana & Somdatta Paul

  2. Department of Electronic Science, University of Calcutta, 92, A.P.C. Road, Kolkata, 700009, India

    Anupam Karmakar & Sanatan Chattopadhyay

  3. Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), 2 Fusionopolis Way; Innovis, #08-03, Singapore, 138634, Singapore

    Goutam K. Dalapati

Authors
  1. Jenifar Sultana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Somdatta Paul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anupam Karmakar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Goutam K. Dalapati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sanatan Chattopadhyay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sanatan Chattopadhyay.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sultana, J., Paul, S., Karmakar, A. et al. Optimizing the thermal annealing temperature: technological route for tuning the photo-detecting property of p-CuO thin films grown by chemical bath deposition method. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 29, 12878–12887 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-9407-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-018-9407-3

Search

Navigation