The synthesis and characterization of a hexanuclear copper–yttrium complex for deposition of semiconducting CuYO₂–0.5Cu₂O composite thin films

Abstract

The copper-yttrium hexanuclear complex [Cu 4 Y 2 (dmae) 6 (OAc) 7.85 (OH) 0.15 (H 2 O) 2 ]·2CH 3 C 6 H 5 (1) (where dmae = dimethylaminoethanoato, OAc = acetato) has been synthesized and characterized by melting point, elemental analysis, FT-IR, thermogravimetric/differential thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with cell parameters a = 9.4934 (3) Å, b = 13.2045(4) Å, c = 14.6990(5) Å,  = 76.486(2) o ,  = 85.811(2) o and  = 83.394(2) o . A thin film of a CuYO 2 -0.5Cu 2 O composite has been deposited on a FTO glass substrate by implementation of complex (1) at 400 o C under argon atmosphere by aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD). XRPD, SEM and EDX analysis reveal the formation of impurityfree crystallite mixtures of the CuYO 2 -0.5Cu 2 O composite with well-defined evenly distributed rods of Cu 2 O in the size range of 0.85 -1.05 µm and granules of CuYO 2 in size range of 110 -125 nm. UV-Vis spectrophotometric measurements and photoelectrochemical (PEC) results show an optical band gap energy of 2.6 eV and a photocurrent density of 81 µA/cm 2 under illumination by a 150 W halogen lamp at a potential of 1.0 V vs SCE.

A sol–gel derived, copper-doped, titanium dioxide–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite electrode for the photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO2to methanol and formic acid

“…Table 2 compares the literature results for the reduction of CO 2 to methanol and formic acid using TiO 2 photoelectrocatalysis and photocatalysis. The photo-oxidation of Cu-RGO-TiO 2 releases electrons and produces reactive holes, which react with water to release oxygen: 45 Initial oxidation:…”

Fabrication of CuO–1.5ZrO2 composite thin film, from heteronuclear molecular complex and its electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation

“…As reported earlier [10][11][12][13][14][15] the reaction of metal alkoxides or aminoalkoxides with metal acetate is a promising method to design heterobimetallic complex for the deposition of thin lms of a desired oxide material. This type of synthetic strategy aims to coordinatively saturate each metal center by the use of chelating ligands such as carboxylate and a functionalized alcohol which strictly restrict the resulting complexes into a molecular regime and enhance their stability, solubility, volatility and shelf life.…”

“…For this purpose, we have examined the abilities of acetate, b-diketonate and aminoalkoxide ligands to associate two different metal centers in a specic ratio within a heteronuclear system. [10][11][12][13][14][15] The utilization of these heteronuclear precursors in an aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) has become a wellestablished route for the fabrication of advanced metal oxide lms.…”

A composite approach to synthesize a high-performance Pt/WO3–carbon catalyst for optical and electrocatalytic applications

“…However, a new challenge regarding the low conductivity of metal oxides must be resolved before metal oxide-modified Pt materials can be used as highperformance catalysts of DMFCs. Tungsten trioxide (WO 3 ) with superior electrochemical features, like superconductivity, 39 piezoelectricity, 40 electrochromism, 41 photochromism, 42 gas chromism, gas sensing, 43 and photocatalysis, [44][45][46][47] and applications in optoelectronic devices, 48 solid-state gas sensors, humidity and temperature sensors, biosensors, and photonic crystals, 49 has been planned as a potential candidate as an electrocatalyst material. 50 WO 3 can resist the poisoning of reaction intermediates, like CO poisoning and hydrogen adsorption and desorption, by the formation of hydrogen tungsten bronze.…”