Synthesis and Characterization of Quaternary Copper Barium Iron Sulphide Thin Films by Chemical Bath Deposition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2652.035Keywords:
Band gap, Deposition, Optical, Thin film, WavelengthAbstract
Copper barium iron sulphide (CBFS) thin films were synthesized using a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method on glass substrates for 10 hours. The study used solutions of copper (II) chloride dehydrate, barium chloride, iron (II) chloride, and thiourea as the sources of the elements (copper, barium, iron and sulphur) to fabricate films of thickness 105.81 nm at a pH of 9.60. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy was employed to analyze the chemical characteristics of the aqueous precursor and the deposited films at 30 ℃. Experimental observations revealed distinctive CBFS absorption bands below 900 in the FTIR spectrum of the precursor. The optical band gap energy was determined to be , with the absorbance decreasing (from 0.6 to 0.3 au) as the wavelength increased from 300 to 1000 nm. The optical constants of extinction coefficient and optical conductivity were found to be 0.05 and 0.7 respectively at 3.50 eV. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs showed that the films were crack-free, rough, and uniformly covered with grains of various shapes. Electron dispersive x-ray (EDX) revealed that the deposited material consists of copper, barium, iron and sulphur. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the crystalline structure of the deposited films. Hence, the crystalline sizes (D), dislocation density (δ), and the strain function (ε) were also evaluated to range from 29.91 to 135.53 nm, and 0.00079 to 0.00473, respectively. These findings suggest that the synthesized CBFS thin films have potential for integration in diverse electronic applications.
References
Abdullahi, S., Momoh, M., Moreh, A. U., & Wara, A. M. (2025). Preparation, characterization, and performance optimization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) absorber layer deposited by sol-gel spin coating technique. UMYU Scientifica, 4(1), 1-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2541.001
Adebisi, A. C., Eluyemi, M. S., Emegha, J. O., Efe, F., Eleruja, M. A., & Olofinjana, B. (2025). Thermistor behavior of non-stoichiometric cadmium sulfide thin films. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 36, 1309. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-025-15435-1
Akl, A. A., & Hassanien, A. S. (2021). Comparative microstructural studies using different methods: Effect of Cd-addition on crystallography, microstructural properties, and crystal imperfections of annealed nanostructural CdₓZn₁₋ₓSe thin films. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 620, 413267. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2021.413267
Alam, A., Kumar, S., & Singh, D. K. (2022). Cadmium sulphide thin films deposition and characterization for device applications. Materials Today: Proceedings, 62, 6102-6106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.04.1018
Arun, A. P., Sreenivasan, N., Patil, J. H., Kusanur, R., Ramachandraiah, H. L., & Ramakrishna, M. (2025). Thin films for next generation technologies: A comprehensive review of fundamentals, growth, deposition strategies, applications, and emerging frontiers. Processes, 13, 3846. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13123846
Babalola, A. V., Oluwasusi, V., Owoeye, V. A., Emegha, J. O., Pelemo, D. A., Fasasi, A. Y., Gurku, U. M., Alayande, S. O., Yusuf, S., & Saje, B. (2024). Effect of tin concentrations on the elemental and optical properties of zinc oxide thin films. Heliyon, 10, e23190. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23190
Botti, S., Kammerlander, D., & Marques, M. A. L. (2011). Band structures of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ and Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ from many-body methods. Physical Review B, 84(7), 075119.
Cheng, J., Cao, G., Zong, H., Kang, C., Jia, E., Zhang, B., & Li, M. (2017). Highly transparent conductive AZO/Zr50Cu50/AZO films in wide range of visible and near infrared wavelength grown by pulsed laser deposition. Results in Physics, 7, 910-913. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2017.02.019
Chidozie, O. C., Nnanna, L. A., Akpu, N. I., Joseph, U., & Ikhioya, I. L. (2024). Study of the morphological, structural, electrical, and optical features of spray-deposited yttrium-doped magnesium selenide (YMgSe) thin film for photovoltaic applications. Journal of Nano and Materials Science Research, 3(1), 1-6.
Damisa, J., & Emegha, J. O. (2021). Growth and optical analysis of cobalt tin sulphide thin films using SILAR technique. Nigerian Research Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, 6(2), 642-648.
Damisa, J., Olofinjana, B., Ebomwonyi, O., Bakare, F., & Azi, S. O. (2017). Morphological and optical study of thin films of CuAlS₂ deposited by metal organic chemical vapour deposition technique. Materials Research Express, 4(8), Article 086412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/aa851d
Efe, F. O., Olofinjana, B., Fasakin, O., Adebisi, C. A., Eleruja, M. A., & Fabunmi, T. G. (2023). Opto-electronic properties of copper-zinc-sulfide thin films grown via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique at different flow rates. Physica Scripta. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ace2f8
Efe, F. O., Olofinjana, B., Fasakin, O., Eleruja, M. A., & Ajayi, E. O. B. (2019). Compositional, structural, morphological, optical and electrical property evolutions in MOCVD Cu-Zn-S thin films prepared at different temperatures using a single solid source precursor. Journal of Electronic Materials. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-019-07636-2
Efe, F., Adebisi, A. C., Samokhvalov, A., Emegha, J. O., Achuko, N., Victor, M., Eleruja, M., & Olofinjana, B. (2026). Investigation of Cu-doped ZnS thin film: Optical, structural, and surface properties for potential thin film applications. Results in Surfaces and Interfaces, 100825. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsurfi.2026.100825
Elete, D. E., Emegha, J. O., Nenuwe, N. O., & Omagbemi, O. W. (2023). Synthesis and characterization of chemical bath deposited copper doped lead sulfide thin films. Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia, 37(5), 1237-1251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i5.15
Emegha, J. O., & Nwanze, E. D. (2022). Synthesis and characterization of semiconducting iron copper sulphide thin films: A review. Physics Access, 2(2), 18-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47514/phyaccess.2022.2.2.003
Emegha, J. O., El-Rayyes, A., Itas, Y. S., & Khandaker, M. U. (2025). The impact of iron concentration on the structural and optical properties of iron lead sulphide thin films. Journal of the Indian Chemical Society, 102(10), 102085. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jics.2025.102085
Emegha, J. O., Okafor, M. C., & Ukhurebor, K. E. (2021). Optical properties of copper-zinc sulphide network from mixed single solid source precursors of copper and zinc dithiocarbamates. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology, 18(9), 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48048/wjst.2021.9535
Emegha, J. O., Ukhurebor, K. E., Aigbe, U. O., Damisa, J., & Babalola, A. V. (2022). Synthesis and characterization of copper zinc iron sulphide (CZFS) thin films. Heliyon, 8(8), e10331. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10331
Etim, E. E., Anas, H., Yakubu, S., Moses, L. J., & Samuel, H. S. (2025). Kinetics, thermodynamics, and isotherm properties of lead & silver metal ions removal from aqueous solution using tea leaves and tea fibers (Camellia sinensis). UMYU Scientifica, 4(1), 73-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2541.008
Fekadu, G. H. (2015). Synthesis and characterization of cadmium selenide (CdSe) and lead sulphur selenide (PbS₁₋ₓSeₓ) thin films by chemical bath deposition method [Doctoral dissertation, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana].
Guermat, N., Darenfad, W., Mirouh, K., Bouarissa, N., Kalfallah, M., & Herbadji, A. (2022). Effects of zinc doping on structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties of SnO₂ thin films. European Physical Journal Applied Physics. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/epjap/2022210218
Ho, S. M., & Anand, T. J. S. (2015). A review of chalcogenide thin films for solar cell applications. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 8(12). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2015/v8i12/67499
Ibrahim, A., Ado, A., Gabi, B., Abdul-Azeez, U. M., Bako, A. U., & Babagana, M. (2025). Phytogenic synthesis, structural elucidation and antiplasmodial activity of Ocimum gratissimum-mediated silver nanoparticles against Plasmodium falciparum clinical isolate. UMYU Scientifica, 4(3), 427-436. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2543.042
Ikhioya, I. L., Alghamdi, N., Omeje, S. E., Ikeh, D. C., & Odoh, R. N. (2024). Synergistic effects of gadolinium oxide into the matrix of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) for supercapacitor applications. Chemistry of Inorganic Materials, 4, 100075. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cinorg.2024.100075
Llorens Balada, E. (2024). Metal oxide thin films for optoelectronic applications [PhD thesis, DTU Nanolab].
Nasrin, R., Khan, L., Obaydul Haq, M., Mohiuddin, M., & Kabir, H. (2024). Surface topography, structural, optical and DC electrical behaviors of pristine and Co-doped ZnS thin films. Heliyon, 10(8), e29337. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29337
Nwori, A. N., Okoli, N. L., Okereke, N. A., Ottih, I. E., & Ezenwaka, L. N. (2022). Optical properties of electrodeposited CdMnS thin film semiconductor alloys for optoelectronics applications: Effect of deposition potential. Journal of Nano and Materials Science Research, 1, 58-67.
Okafor, M. C., Esiekpe, L. E., Attoh, V. A., Okeke, N. B., Okwuelum, A. B., & Emegha, J. O. (2026). Optimization of copper ion concentration into the lattice of barium sulphide nanoparticles synthesized via a chemical approach. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Physics, 20(2), 185-195.
Owoeye, S. S., Abegunde, S. M., Folorunso, D. O., Adigun, B. O., & Kingsley, U. (2021). Microstructure, phase and physical evaluation of non-bioactive wollastonite glass-ceramic prepared from waste glass by sintering method. Open Ceramics, 5, Article 100062. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceram.2021.100062
Palazon, F. (2022). Metal chalcohalides: Next generation photovoltaic materials? Solar RRL, 6, 2100829. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202100829
Rajeshmon, V. G., Kartha, C. S., Vijayakumar, K. P., Abe, T., Kashiwaba, Y., & Kunjomana, A. G. (2019). Growth and characterization of spray deposited quaternary Cu₂FeSnS₄ semiconductor thin films. Physica B: Condensed Matter, 560, 103-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2019.02.008
Sarf, F., Yakar, E., & Karaduman Er, I. (2024). Thin films: Growth, characterization and electrochemical applications. IntechOpen. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107556
Shepelin, N. A., Tehrani, Z. P., Ohannessian, N., Schneider, C. W., Pergolesi, D., & Lippert, T. (2023). A practical guide to pulsed laser deposition. Chemical Society Reviews, 52, 2294. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CS00938B
Turnley, J. W., & Agrawal, R. (2024). Solution processed metal chalcogenide semiconductors for inorganic thin film photovoltaics. Chemical Communications, 60, 5245. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC01057D
Yahaya, A. A., Umar, A. B., Mamuda, S., & Ahmad, A. M. (2022). Characterization of the structural and optical properties of copper oxide for use in solar cells using screen printing method. UMYU Scientifica, 1(1), 184-193. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.1122.024
Yeh, L. Y., & Cheng, K. W. (2014). Preparation of Ag-Zn-Sn-S quaternary photoelectrodes using chemical bath deposition for photoelectrochemical applications. Thin Solid Films, 558, 289-293. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2014.02.046
Zaki, M.-Y., Sava, F., Buruiana, A.-T., Simandan, I.-D., Becherescu, N., Galca, A.-C., Mihai, C., & Velea, A. (2021). Synthesis and characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄ thin films obtained by combined magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition. Nanomaterials, 11(9), 2403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11092403
Zhu, H., Zhang, W., Zhao, K., Jin, C., Zhang, Z., Xu, K., Liu, Y., Wang, J., & Saetang, V. (2025). Recent advances in precision deposition techniques on semiconductor surfaces: Mechanisms, methods, and applications. Materials Today Communications, 48, 113495. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2025.113495
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Joseph Onyeka Emegha, McDonald Chukwudi Okafor, Vivian Anulichukwu Attoh, Azuka Bright Okwuelum, Nwando Blessing Okeke, Julius Okoh (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
UMYU Scientifica recognizes the importance of protecting authors’ intellectual property while promoting the free exchange of scientific knowledge. The journal adopts a copyright-retention model that empowers authors to maintain ownership of their work while granting the journal rights necessary for publication and dissemination.
1. Copyright Ownership
Authors publishing with UMYU Scientifica retain full copyright and publishing rights to their work. By submitting a manuscript, authors agree to grant the journal a non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, distribute, and archive the article in all forms and media for the purpose of scholarly communication.
2. Licensing Terms
All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial (CC BY-NC) license.
This license permits others to:
- Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
- Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material.
- For non-commercial purposes only, provided that proper credit is given to the original author(s) and UMYU Scientifica as the source, a link to the license is provided, and any modifications are clearly indicated.
Commercial reuse or distribution of the content requires written permission from both the author and the editorial office.
3. Author Rights
Authors are free to:
- Deposit all versions of their manuscript (preprint, accepted version, and published version) in institutional, disciplinary, or public repositories without embargo.
- Use and distribute their published article for non-commercial scholarly purposes, including teaching, conference presentations, and research sharing.
- Include their work in future books, theses, or compilations, provided proper citation to the journal is made.
4. Publisher’s Rights
Upon publication, UMYU Scientifica retains the right to:
- Host, index, and disseminate the article through the journal’s website and partner databases.
- Archive the content in long-term preservation systems such as the PKP Preservation Network (PKP-PN) and the Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Institutional Repository.
5. Attribution and Citation
Users must give appropriate credit to the author(s), include a link to the article’s DOI or the journal webpage, and indicate if changes were made. Proper citation is required whenever the work is reused or referenced.
6. License Reference
For detailed terms of use, please refer to the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0):
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
