engleski

Reactive spark ablation deposition and subsequent thermal conversion of copper oxide porous thin-films

Spark ablation is a powerful new, clean and efficient method capable of controlled nanoparticle preparation [1]. Copper oxide (CuxOy) nanostructured thin-films are inexpensive, chemical stable and non-toxic, and thereof recently applicable for energy conversion, gas sensing and optoelectronics circuits [2]. Among stable crystalline CuxOy phases ; Cu2O (cuprite) and CuO (tenorite) are found while among metastable only Cu4O3 (paramelaconite) [3]. Coupling the spark ablation nanoparticle generator to impaction deposition chamber we were able to produce porous CuxOy thin-films on glass substrates. The thin-films were characterized as prepared and after thermal treatment at 500 °C. The development of crystalline phases was monitored by grazing incidence diffraction using synchrotron radiation ; to confirm ability to derive cuprite and paramelaconite by ablation at ambient conditions, and their conversion to monophasic tenorite upon thermal treatment. Microscopic characterisation by scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as Kelvin probe force microscopy revealed the morphology behind the particulate domains forming thin-film is quite complex. The preparing of such CuxOy thin-films with high specific surface area in highly demanding. These characterisations provided valuable insight into the phase evolution and nanostructuring mechanisms of the as prepared and thermally annealed CuxOy thin-films, to foster the utilisation of this chemical system and deposition method.

Spark ablation, nanoparticles, thin films

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