Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties of FMWCNTs/CuS Nanocomposites

Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites are most encouraging materials in the field of gas sensing. The nanocomposites with transition metals boost various properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs), thus making them more appropriate for sensing applications. In this work, copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles prepared via a hydrothermal route were mixed with FMWCNTs by using a facile sonication method. The effect of CuS content in FMWCNTs/CuS nanocomposites was investigated using various characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction elucidated the formation of CuS nanoparticles along with the decrease in crystallite size of the nanocomposite. The optical behavior of the synthesized nanocomposite was studied using photoluminescence spectroscopy, which revealed an increase in the lifetime of the nanocomposite with the increase in CuS content. The absorption analysis shows an increase in the value of the bandgap with an increase in wt% of CuS in the nanocomposites. Electrical studies examined by I–V analysis confirmed the conducting nature of all three samples. The results reveal that FWMCNTs/CuS could be a potential material for sensing applications.