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Khan MD, Opallo M, Revaprasadu N. Colloidal synthesis of metal chalcogenide nanomaterials from metal-organic precursors and capping ligand effect on electrocatalytic performance: progress, challenges and future perspectives. Dalton Trans 2021; 50:11347-11359. [PMID: 34369529 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt01742j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Renewable and sustainable functional nanomaterials, which can be employed in alternative green energy sources, are highly desirable. Transition metal chalcogenides are potential catalysts for processes resulting in energy generation and storage. In order to optimize their catalytic performance, high phase purity and precise control over shape and size are indispensable. Metal-organic precursors with pre-formed bonds between the metal and the chalcogenide atoms are advantageous in synthesizing phase pure transition metal chalcogenides with controlled shape and sizes. This can be achieved by the decomposition of metal-organic precursors in the presence of suitable surfactants/capping agents. However, the recent studies on electrocatalysis at the nanoscale level reveal that the capping agents attached to their surface have a detrimental effect on their efficiency. The removal of surfactants from active sites to obtain bare surface nanoparticles is necessary to enhance catalytic activity. Herein, we have discussed the properties of different metal-organic precursors and the role of surfactants in the colloidal synthesis of metal chalcogenide nanomaterials. Moreover, the effect of surfactants on their electrocatalytic performance, the commonly used strategies for removing surfactants from the surface of nanomaterials and the future perspectives are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Dilshad Khan
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224, Warsaw, Poland
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Bakly AAK, Collison D, Ahumada-Lazo R, Binks DJ, Smith M, Raftery J, Whitehead GFS, O'Brien P, Lewis DJ. Synthesis, X-ray Single-Crystal Structural Characterization, and Thermal Analysis of Bis(O-alkylxanthato)Cd(II) and Bis(O-alkylxanthato)Zn(II) Complexes Used as Precursors for Cadmium and Zinc Sulfide Thin Films. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:7573-7583. [PMID: 33949858 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This work investigates tuning of the molecular structure of a series of O-alkylxanthato zinc and cadmium precursor complexes to enhance production of ZnS and CdS materials. The structures of several bis(O-alkylxanthato) cadmium(II) complexes (8-13) and bis(O-alkyl xanthato)zinc(II) complexes (18 and 19) are reported based on single crystal X-ray diffraction data. CdS and ZnS films were produced by the spin-coating of these metal complexes followed by their thermal decomposition to the corresponding metal sulfides. Thin films of CdS were deposited by spin-coating the bis(O-alkylxanthato) cadmium(II) precursors (7-13) on glass substrates, followed by annealing at 300 °C for 60 min. Thin films of ZnS were deposited by spin-coating bis(O-alkylxanthato) zinc(II) (14-20), followed by annealing at 200 °C for 60 min. The molecular complexes and solid state materials are characterized using a range of techniques including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, pXRD, EDS and XPS, DSC and TGA, UV-vis and PL spectroscopies, and electron microscopy. These techniques provided information on the influence of alkyl chain length on the thermal conditions required to fabricate metal sulfide films as well as film properties such as film quality, and morphology. For example, the obtained crystallite size of metal sulfide films formed is correlated to the hydrocarbon chain length of xanthate ligands in the precursor. The behavior of the complexes under thermal stress was therefore studied in detail. DTA and TGA profiles explain the relationship between hydrocarbon chain length, decomposition temperatures, and the energies required for decomposition. A higher decomposition temperature for complexes with longer hydrocarbon chains is observed compared to complexes with shorter hydrocarbon chains. Band-gap energies calculated from the optical absorption spectra alongside steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence studies are reported for CdS films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A K Bakly
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - David Collison
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Ruben Ahumada-Lazo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - David J Binks
- Department of Physics and Astronomy and Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Matthew Smith
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - James Raftery
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - George F S Whitehead
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - Paul O'Brien
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.,Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
| | - David J Lewis
- Department of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K
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Zarbin AJG. Liquid-liquid interfaces: a unique and advantageous environment to prepare and process thin films of complex materials. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2021; 8:1409-1432. [PMID: 34846449 DOI: 10.1039/d0mh01676d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Thin film technology is pervasive for many fields with high impact in our daily lives, which makes processing materials such as thin films a very important subject in materials science and technology. However, several paramount materials cannot be prepared as thin films through the well-known and consolidated deposition routes, which strongly limits their applicability. This is particularly noticeable for multi-component and complex nanocomposites, which present unique properties due to the synergic effect between the components, but have several limitations to be obtained as thin films, mainly if homogeneity and transparence are required. This review highlights the main advances of a novel approach to both process and synthesize different classes of materials as thin films, based on liquid/liquid interfaces. The so-called liquid/liquid interfacial route (LLIR) allows the deposition of thin films of single- or multi-component materials, easily transferable over any kind of substrate (plastics and flexible substrates included) with precise control of the thickness, homogeneity and transparence. More interesting, it allows the in situ synthesis of multi-component materials directly as thin films stabilized at the liquid/liquid interface, in which problems related to both the synthesis and processing are solved together in a single step. This review presents the basis of the LLIR and several examples of thin films obtained from different classes of materials, such as carbon nanostructures, metal and oxide nanoparticles, two-dimensional materials, organic and organometallic frameworks, and polymer-based nanocomposites, among others. Moreover, specific applications of those films in different technological fields are shown, taking advantage of the specific properties emerging from the unique preparation route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo J G Zarbin
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), CP 19032, CEP 81531-980, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
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Bakly AAK, Spencer BF, O’Brien P. The deposition of thin films of cadmium zinc sulfide Cd 1-x Zn x S at 250 °C from spin-coated xanthato complexes: a potential route to window layers for photovoltaic cells. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 2017; 53:4360-4370. [PMID: 31997833 PMCID: PMC6956951 DOI: 10.1007/s10853-017-1872-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Thin films of Cd1-x Zn x S (CZS) were prepared by a novel spin coating/melt method from cadmium ethylxanthato [Cd(C2H5OCS2)2] and zinc ethylxanthato [Zn(C2H5OCS2)2] in x ratios of 0-0.15 and of 1. A solution of the precursor(s) in THF was spin coated onto a glass substrate and then heated at 250 °C for 1 h under N2. The thickness of the film formed can be controlled by varying the solution composition and/or the spin rate of the coating. A total metal precursor solution concentration of 50 mM was used in all cases. The films were characterized by p-XRD, SEM, EDX, ICP-AES, XPS, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and resistivity measurements. The band gaps of the films were between 2.35-2.58 and 3.75 eV (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15 and at x = 1). The resistivity of Cd1-x Zn x S films was found to vary linearly with zinc contents, and the properties of the films suggest potential application to photovoltaics as window layers. This work is the first study to demonstrate Cd1-x Zn x S thin films by a spin coating/melt method from xanthato precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A. K. Bakly
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
| | - Ben F. Spencer
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
| | - Paul O’Brien
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL UK
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McNaughter PD, Bear JC, Mayes AG, Parkin IP, O'Brien P. The in situ synthesis of PbS nanocrystals from lead(II) n-octylxanthate within a 1,3-diisopropenylbenzene-bisphenol A dimethacrylate sulfur copolymer. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170383. [PMID: 28878986 PMCID: PMC5579102 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The synthesis of lead sulfide nanocrystals within a solution processable sulfur 'inverse vulcanization' polymer thin film matrix was achieved from the in situ thermal decomposition of lead(II) n-octylxanthate, [Pb(S2COOct)2]. The growth of nanocrystals within polymer thin films from single-source precursors offers a faster route to networks of nanocrystals within polymers when compared with ex situ routes. The 'inverse vulcanization' sulfur polymer described herein contains a hybrid linker system which demonstrates high solubility in organic solvents, allowing solution processing of the sulfur-based polymer, ideal for the formation of thin films. The process of nanocrystal synthesis within sulfur films was optimized by observing nanocrystal formation by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Examination of the film morphology by scanning electron microscopy showed that beyond a certain precursor concentration the nanocrystals formed were not only within the film but also on the surface suggesting a loading limit within the polymer. We envisage this material could be used as the basis of a new generation of materials where solution processed sulfur polymers act as an alternative to traditional polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. D. McNaughter
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - J. C. Bear
- Materials Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - A. G. Mayes
- School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - I. P. Parkin
- Materials Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - P. O'Brien
- School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Albrasi E, Kelly AJ, Johal S, O'Brien P, Baxter SN, Thomas PJ. Characteristics of nanocrystalline thin films of cadmium sulphide deposited at the water-oil interface. J Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 496:474-478. [PMID: 28257966 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2017.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Thin films of nanocrystalline CdS were obtained at the water-toluene interface by reacting cadmium diethyldithiocarbamate in toluene with aq. Na2S. Three parameters unique to the topical deposition scheme: the effect of column heights, stirring and the action of molecular surfactants are systematically investigated. The obtained nanocrystalline aggregates are characterized by scanning- and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and profilometric measurements. Conditions for obtaining smooth device quality thin films have been identified during these experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enteisar Albrasi
- School Chemistry and School of Materials, Oxford Road, The University of Manchester, Manchester M139PL, UK
| | - Aoife J Kelly
- School Chemistry and School of Materials, Oxford Road, The University of Manchester, Manchester M139PL, UK
| | - Sukhraaj Johal
- School Chemistry and School of Materials, Oxford Road, The University of Manchester, Manchester M139PL, UK
| | - Paul O'Brien
- School Chemistry and School of Materials, Oxford Road, The University of Manchester, Manchester M139PL, UK
| | - Sean N Baxter
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK
| | - P John Thomas
- School of Chemistry, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK.
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