| Growth and Characterization of Chalcopyrite CuFeS2
Thin
Films Synthesized Through the Chemical Spray Technique |
Asma Arfaoui,a, * Ammar Mhamdib, c and Noureddine Bouguilad
Pages : 212-217
DOI:10.1080/0371750X.2026.2677009 |
| Abstract |
| This study presents copper iron sulphide films, CuFeS2
, deposited on glass substrates
with various precursors’ volumes (10, 20, 30 and 40 mL) at 300oC, using a simple and
low-cost chemical spray pyrolysis technique. A rhombohedral phase of chalcopyrite
CuFeS2
is revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Furthermore, the XRD spectra
show that crystallinity becomes amorphous over a volume of precursor equal to 40
mL. In contrast, the surface of the obtained thin films shown by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) is adherent, compact and free of cracks, which reveals that the
product consists of a uniform deposited film. On the other hand, with the increase in
the volume of precursors (30 and 40 mL) the surface morphology presents a massive,
dense structure of ice rock that is fractured irregularly, resembling crumb. The optical
study proves that the Urbach energy increases as the amount of sprayed solution
increases. Moreover, fault states that trap charge carriers may be promoted by
increased sprayed solution volume. These localized charge carriers can switch
between these defective states. Consequently, we see that the gap energy values of
CuFeS2
thin films decrease. Finally, after comparing all of the structural and
morphological characteristics with the results of the photocatalytic process, we
conclude that thin films with a dense layer of nanowires on the surface and superior
crystallinity have higher photocatalytic efficiency. |
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