Synthesis and characterization of ultralong copper sulfide nanowires and their electrical properties

Abstract

We report the synthesis of ultralong copper sulfide nanowires (Cu_2−xSNWs) through the sulphidation reaction of metallic copper nanowires (CuNWs) by thiourea under mild conditions. The multiscale characterization of Cu_2−xSNWs revealed the presence of a core shell structure made up of an external covellite layer coating a roxbyite core. The Cu_2−xSNWs, exhibiting lengths as high as 200 μm, can be easily dispersed in ethanol and deposited onto arbitrary substrates such as glass or plastic. The resulting films are readily conducting without the need for post-treatments and exhibit a sheet resistance of 4.1 kΩ sq⁻¹ at 73.7% transmittance (at 550 nm), by virtue of the high aspect ratio of the Cu_2−xSNWs. The multiscale electrical characterization down to the single Cu_2−xSNWs revealed a low resistivity of 6.9 × 10⁻⁶ Ω m and perfect Ohmic conductivity. Interestingly, the conductivity of Cu_2−xSNW films supported on polyethylene naphthalate sheets remained almost unaltered (4% decrease) after 10 000 bending cycles. In addition, Cu_2−xSNWs have shown excellent chemical stability towards a strong oxidant like FeCl₃ as well as in an acidic environment. Finally, Cu_2−xSNWs have been employed as active materials in symmetric supercapacitors revealing good pseudocapacitive behaviour, with specific capacity as high as 324 F g⁻¹ (at 5 mV s⁻¹) and 70% retention of the initial capacitance after 5000 cycles (at 100 mV s⁻¹).