Empowering progress: unraveling the promising capabilities of Cu₂S:ZnS:NiS₂ trimetal sulphide thin films

Abstract

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of a thin film comprising of trimetallic sulphide, Cu₂S:ZnS:NiS₂. The fabrication process involved the utilization of diethyldithiocarbamate as a sulfur source, employing physical vapor deposition. A range of analytical techniques were employed to elucidate the material’s structure, morphology, and optical characteristics. The thin film exhibited a well-defined crystalline structure with an average crystallite size of 33 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided distinct core level peaks associated with Cu 2p, Zn 2p, Ni 2p, and S 2p. The electrochemical properties were assessed through voltammetry measurements, which demonstrated an impressive specific capacitive of 797 F·g⁻¹. The thin film demonstrated remarkable stability over multiple cycles, establishing it as a highly promising candidate for diverse energy storage applications. In addition, comprehensive investigations were carried out to assess the photocatalytic performance of the fabricated material, particularly its efficacy in the degradation of diverse environmental pollutants. These notable findings emphasize the versatility of trimetal sulphide thin films, expanding their potential beyond energy storage and opening avenues for further research and technological advancements in fields including photocatalysis and beyond.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

supercapacitor / energy storage / photocatalyst / thin film / metal sulphide

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Authors’ 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 and facilitated the work during research. M.A.H. reviewed the manuscript and helped in final drafting.

Declaration of competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Authors express their gratitude to the Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Pakistan for providing 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. This work was funded by the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP2024R441), Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.

Data availability statement

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

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press