Morphology and Topographical Comparative Study of Copper Iodide Grown Crystals Using Gel Technique

Abstract

The grown copper iodide crystals are Irregular, rough, Porous, dendrites, large, agglomerated and polycrystalline. Larger crystal sizes are often preferred in semiconductor applications where bulk properties matter. The grown CuI crystals advantage is increased surface area can enhance catalytic activity in chemical reactions. Polycrystalline structures often exhibit better charge transport properties, improving conductivity. Modified morphology can lead to enhanced photoluminescence, which is beneficial for optoelectronic applications like LEDs and solar cells. The presence of defects and grain boundaries can act as sites for enhanced electronic interactions. The grown CuI crystals in the images exhibit high structural order, smooth surfaces, and well-defined facets, making them superior for electronic, optical, and semiconductor applications.

Introduction

I. Crystal Growth Behavior

• Faceted growth is common in CuI crystals at low driving forces, often forming flat faces regardless of size—seen in both micron- and millimeter-sized crystals.

• Exceptions arise with altered diffusion methods or nitrate incorporation, which may result in non-faceted, dendritic, or rough-surfaced crystals.

• Crystals may become irregular, porous, polycrystalline, or agglomerated, especially under modified conditions, influencing their applicability in semiconductors and optoelectronic devices.

II. Experimental Highlights

• CuI crystals were synthesized using a gel growth technique involving copper nitrate and sodium metasilicate.

• Various concentrations of copper nitrate (5–20 ml) were tested.

• X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed a cubic structure, with particle size decreasing as copper nitrate concentration increased.

• Morphology shifted from tetragonal to hexagonal with higher concentrations.

• Crystals were examined for structural and morphological transformations for semiconductor suitability.

III. Experimental Procedure

• Gel was prepared with sodium metasilicate and acetic acid; potassium iodide was added for homogeneity (pH maintained at 4.4).

• After gel aging, copper chloride or nitrate was added as a supernatant.

• Repeated experiments were conducted with varying molarities (0.01 M to 1 M) to find optimal growth conditions.

• Best results were seen with 0.4 M potassium iodide and 1 M copper chloride/nitrate.

IV. Key Observations & Applications

• Surface Area & Porosity: Rough, porous CuI structures enhance catalytic and adsorption functions; suitable for sensors and electrodes.

• Optical/Electrical Properties: Polycrystalline and dendritic structures improve conductivity and photoluminescence, aiding in solar cells and LEDs.

• Stability & Reactivity: Modified structures yield better thermal and chemical stability, valuable for nanomaterials and thin films.

• Size & Shape Tunability: Larger, irregular CuI crystals enable bandgap control, vital for photo-detection and photovoltaic devices.

V. Morphological & Topographical Comparisons

VI. Advantages of Grown CuI Crystals

• High surface area for chemical activity.

• Better electrical properties via grain boundaries and defects.

• Stability for long-term use in electronics.

• Controlled morphology supports bandgap engineering for advanced optoelectronic applications.

Conclusion

The grown CuI crystals show significant morphological and topographical variations from the original CuI crystals. The changes indicate different nucleation and growth kinetics, likely affected by factors such as solvent concentration, temperature, and impurity inclusion. The rough and porous nature of the grown crystals suggests a non-equilibrium growth process The grown CuI crystals in the images exhibit high structural order, smooth surfaces, and well-defined facets, making them superior for electronic, optical, and semiconductor applications. Their single-crystalline nature and low roughness indicate controlled growth conditions, ideal for LEDs, solar cells, and sensor applications.

References

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Copyright © 2025 K. P. Joshi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.