Ag+ insertion into 3D hierarchical rose-like Cu1.8Se nanocrystals with tunable band gap and morphology genetic

Abstract

In this study, novel hierarchical rose-like Cu_1.8Se microspheres with a porous three-dimensional (3D) framework were successfully synthesized by using a one-pot in situ growth method at low temperature (60 °C). The Cu_1.8Se microspheres covered the surface of the 3D porous framework. The formation mechanism was investigated in detail by adjusting the volume ratio of DMF and EDA, as the blend solvents, and the reaction time. Then, the chemical composition of the Cu_1.8Se microspheres was altered by Ag⁺ exchange without changing their morphology and structure. In this way, the binary Cu_1.8Se was efficiently converted into the ternary CuAgSe. Notably, the band gap of materials was tuned continuously from 3.83 eV to 3.03 eV, and CuAgSe was produced continuously by adjusting the replacement time. This work provides a novel concept and a simple method that can serve as a good reference for improving the performance of tunable materials and the preparation of multielement alloy materials.