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Exploring the electrochemical and photocatalytic potential of metal chalcogenide thin film Cu2S:Ni3S4

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Abstract

This comprehensive study delves into the synthesis and characterisation of Cu2S:Ni3S4 thin films, fabricated using diethyldithiocarbamate as a sulphur source via physical vapour deposition. A systematic analysis employing various techniques elucidated the material’s structural, morphological, and optical properties. The resulting thin film exhibited a well-defined crystalline structure, boasting an average crystallite size of 32.6 nm, indicative of a remarkable crystallinity of 74%. Optical characterisation shed light on the material’s optical behaviour, revealing a band gap energy of 2.47 eV. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided insights into the elemental composition and chemical bonding, unveiling distinct core level peaks attributed to Cu 2p, Ni 2p, and S 2p. Electrochemical evaluations through voltammetry measurements showcased exceptional specific capacitive performance, achieving an impressive value of 562 Fg−1. The thin film also demonstrated remarkable stability over multiple cycles, highlighting its immense potential for diverse energy storage applications. Furthermore, extensive investigations into the photocatalytic efficacy of the synthesised material unveiled its remarkable prowess in degrading various environmental pollutants. These significant findings underscore the versatility of Cu2S:Ni3S4 bimetallic sulphide thin films, extending their scope beyond energy storage and paving the way for further exploration and technological advancements in the realms of photocatalysis and beyond.

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Data will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Pakistan for providing the technical and financial facilities needed for completion of this work. Authors also acknowledge the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and Photon Science Institute, The University of Manchester, UK. The authors highly acknowledge Xuzhao Liu, PhD student, The University of Manchester, UK, for his tremendous help and assistance during the research. The authors are grateful to the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2024R374), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

The authors are grateful to the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2024R374), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials and Environmental Chemistry Lab, Lab E-21, Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, The Mall, Rawalpindi, 46000, Pakistan

    Mahwash Mahar Gul & Khuram Shahzad Ahmad

  2. Department of Materials, Photon Science Institute, Alan Turing Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    Andrew Guy Thomas

  3. Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammad K. Okla

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  1. Mahwash Mahar Gul
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Contributions

M.M.G. performed research work and experimentation, wrote the manuscript text, and plotted all graphs and figures. K.S.A. performed supervision of the research, presented idea for research, and reviewed the manuscript, A.G.T. also supervised the work and facilitated during research. M.K.O. reviewed the manuscript and helped in final drafting.

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Correspondence to Khuram Shahzad Ahmad.

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Gul, M.M., Ahmad, K.S., Thomas, A.G. et al. Exploring the electrochemical and photocatalytic potential of metal chalcogenide thin film Cu2S:Ni3S4. Ionics 30, 1587–1602 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-024-05378-8

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