Sol-gel derived silica films with ultrafine copper, copper sulfide and copper selenide particles

A development of the silica-based sol-gel materials in the form of films containing ultrafine copper compounds and metallic copper is presented. Semiconductor nanoparticles with new optical features due to size effects and unique chemical properties of copper are produced. The chemical state of copper-containing dopants was manipulated by the sequence of chemical transformations monitored with XRD and optical absorption spectroscopy and discussed together with other recent data (XPS, TEM). A number of nanocrystalline phases of sulfides and selenides controllable by preparation conditions were detected in the films. The chemical composition of the dopants controls optical absorption both in the visible and near IR ranges.