Abstract

The copper(II) complex of N-[ethyl(butyl)carbamothioyl]-3,5-dinitrobenzamide (1) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental
analysis, IR spectroscopy and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (MS-APCI). Thermogravimetric analysis shows
the complex (2) decomposes in two-step to form copper sulfide. The complex was used as single-source precursor for the deposition of
copper sulfide thin film by aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AA-CVD) at 350 oC. Powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) pattern of
thin film of complex showed the deposition of monoclinic roxbyite Cu7S4 and orthorhombic anilite Cu7S4 phases at 350 oC with spherical
crystallites. The degree of film surface roughness was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The scanning electron microscopy
(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) results showed the uniform distribution of copper sulfide in the film, which makes it
useful semiconducting material on a structured surface.

Key words: Copper complex; copper sulphide (Cu7S4); thin film; aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AA-CVD); SEM; powder XRD; N-[ethyl(butyl)carbamothioyl]-3,5-dinitrobenzamide ligand.