Photoactive p-Type Spinel CuGa<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocrystals.

Kendall, Owen; Melendez, Lesly V; Ren, Jiawen; Ratnayake, Samantha Prabath; Murdoch, Billy J; Mayes, Edwin L H; van Embden, Joel; Gómez, Daniel E et al. · Nano Lett · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of spinel copper gallate (CuGa<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) nanocrystals (NCs) with an average size of 3.7 nm via a heat-up colloidal reaction. CuGa<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> NCs have a band gap of ∼2.5 eV and marked p-type character, in agreement with ab initio simulations. These novel NCs are demonstrated to be photoactive, generating a clear and reproducible photocurrent under blue light irradiation when deposited as thin films. Crucially, the ability to adjust the Cu/Ga ratio within the NCs, and the effect of this on the optical and electronic properties of the NCs, was also demonstrated. These results position CuGa<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> NCs as a novel material for optoelectronic applications, including hole transport and light harvesting.