Synthesis of Copper Sulphide Nanoparticles for Solar Heating of Water

Abstract

Nanotechnology has gained immense attention in the recent years. Enhanced light absorption of nanomaterials can be used for the purpose of utilisation of solar energy and seem to have profound impact on the many related areas of science and technology. Copper sulphide nanomaterials were developed to determine the effect of nanoparticles for the solar heating of water. Copper sulphide nanomaterials were synthesized by wet chemistry. The molar concentration ratio of copper nitrate to sodium thiosulfate and the reaction temperature play an important role in the synthesis of the nanoparticle. The use of surfactant and its amount is very important in the synthesis to have stable nanoparticles solution and to prevent aggregation or coagulation of the nanoparticles in the solution. For the purpose of characterisation, the formation of the compound was studied in detail using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The zeta potential and the particle size was determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The optical property was studied by UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer. The copper sulphide nanoparticles have an optical absorption band in the NIR region that makes it a suitable substance to be used for the experimental purposes to acknowledge the solar heating of water. To determine solar heating of water, a setup has been designed using a metal-halide lamp to emit radiations in the NIR region. After obtaining the results from the UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer regarding the optical properties of the nanoparticles, the nanoparticles solution was circulated in the setup to check the solar heating of water.