Surface Decoration of ϵ‐Fe₂O₃ Nanorods by CuO Via a Two‐Step CVD/Sputtering Approach**

Abstract

In this paper we report on the first example of Fe2O3/CuO composites fabricated by a two‐step vapor‐phase synthetic strategy. The target route is based on the CVD of Fe2O3 nanorod arrays on Si(100) at 400 °C starting from Fe(hfa)2TMEDA (hfa = 1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoro‐2,4‐pentanedionate; TMEDA = N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine), followed by radio frequency (RF) copper sputtering for various process durations, and final ex‐situ annealing in air. The combined use of complementary structural, morphological, and chemical analyses give evidence of the formation of pure nanocomposite systems, characterized by the presence of the sole ϵ‐Fe2O3 and CuO phases. The unique features of the adopted approach enable an efficient surface decoration of ϵ‐Fe2O3 rods by CuO nanoparticles a few nm in diameter, resulting in an intimate contact between the two oxides, and a CuO content tunable through variations of the sole sputtering time.

Plasma‐Assisted Fabrication of Fe2O3Co3O4 Nanomaterials as Anodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…Irrespective of the adopted processing conditions, no diffraction peaks corresponding to cobalt oxides could be observed. This result, in line with previous reports on Fe 2 O 3 CuO nanosystems fabricated by a similar route, was likely due to the high dispersion and/or low crystallite size of Co‐containing species …”

“…As a general observation, a good Co dispersion within the oxide matrix took place. Such an effect can be traced back to the adopted synthetic strategy, taking advantage of the inherent RF‐sputtering infiltration power . This result, leading to an intimate Fe 2 O 3 Co 3 O 4 contact, is advantageous in view of the ultimate PEC application (see also below).…”

“…Subsequently, functionalization with Co 3 O 4 was carried out by radio frequency (RF)‐sputtering of cobalt on the obtained systems. The key distinctive features of such approaches, that represent highly controllable and versatile tools for the fabrication of supported nanosystems, have already been successfully exploited for the preparation of a variety of oxide nanocomposites, including Co 3 O 4 ZnO and Fe 2 O 3 CuO . The trait d'union of both PE‐CVD and RF‐sputtering is the use of non‐equilibrium plasmas yielding unique activation mechanisms under mild conditions, along with the potential to extend depositions over large areas for a variety of eventual end‐uses .…”

Self-assembly of iron oxide precursor micelles driven by magnetic stirring time in sol–gel coatings

“…9 Furthermore, this material is the only iron oxide with intrinsic p-type semiconductor behaviour, with a bandgap in the visible range ($1.9 eV). 10 Thus, it is a good candidate for catalytic applications such as photo-anode water molecule decomposition in an alcoholic solution. 11 In addition, there are investigations where this material is also used as a selective NO 2 sensor in the form of nanopillars.…”