Surveying the Synthesis, Optical Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Cu3N Nanomaterials

Abstract

This review addresses the most recent advances in the synthesis approaches, fundamental properties and photocatalytic activity of Cu3N nanostructures. Herein, the effect of synthesis conditions, such as solvent, temperature, time and precursor on the precipitation of Cu3N and the formation of secondary phases of Cu and Cu2O are surveyed, with emphasis on shape and size control. Furthermore, Cu3N nanostructures possess excellent optical properties, including a narrow bandgap in the range of 0.2 eV–2 eV for visible light absorption. In that regard, understanding the effect of the electronic structure on the bandgap and on the optical properties of Cu3N is therefore of interest. In fact, the density of states in the d-band of Cu has an influence on the band gap of Cu3N. Moreover, the potential of Cu3N nanomaterials for photocatalytic dye-degradation originates from the presence of active sites, i.e., Cu and N vacancies on the surface of the nanoparticles. Plasmonic nanoparticles tend to enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic dye degradation of Cu3N. Nevertheless, combining them with other potent photocatalysts, such as TiO2 and MoS2, augments the efficiency to 99%. Finally, the review concludes with perspectives and future research opportunities for Cu3N-based nanostructures.

Optical Properties of Reactive RF Magnetron Sputtered Polycrystalline Cu3N Thin Films Determined by UV/Visible/NIR Spectroscopic Ellipsometry: An Eco-Friendly Solar Light Absorber

“…This earth-abundant, nontoxic, metastable semiconducting material's band gap can potentially be easily adjusted depending on the manufacturing conditions and growth techniques and both the manufacturing conditions and deposition techniques. Among the fields of applications, the material can be included in the following: integrated circuits, photo-detectors, optoelectronics, and energy-conversion applications [5][6][7]. Emphasizing again the above-mentioned specific use of Cu 3 N as a novel solar absorber thin-layer material for photovoltaic cell technology [8], its development has garnered notable interest, with the goal being to introduce it into novel designs within the next future generation of cost-effective solar cells.…”

Construction of nanorod-shaped TiO2/Cu3N p–n heterojunction for efficient visible-light hydrogen evolution

“…On the other hand, Cu 3 N film can be prepared through several methods, such as plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), 17 radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering (MS), 18 direct-current (DC) MS, 20 chemical vapor deposition (CVD), 19,22 pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). 24 Relatively speaking, the MS method favors quantity production under moderate conditions. Hence, the Cu 3 N film is deposited through the MS route in this work.…”

Impact of the RF Power on the Copper Nitride Films Deposited in a Pure Nitrogen Environment for Applications as Eco-Friendly Solar Absorber

“…This metastable semiconductor is non-toxic, composed of earth-abundant elements and its band gap energy can be easily tunable depending on both the manufacturing conditions and the deposition methods. Among the application fields, it can be found in integrated circuits, photodetectors, optoelectronics, energy conversion applications and other technologies [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Highlighting the use of Cu 3 N, as a new solar absorber material for flexible and lightweight thin film solar cell technology [ 6 ].…”