Ying Chu

In this paper, Ag/Cu₂O heterogeneous nanostructured films (HNFs) were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. It involved only two materials, AgNO₃ and Cu foil, in the aqueous solution to form Ag/Cu₂O HNF. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to characterize the Ag/Cu₂O films. Ag nanoparticles and Cu₂O nanocubes were formed by redox reactions and the Ag nanoparticles deposited on the Cu₂O nanocubes via electrostatic attraction. The obtained Ag/Cu₂O HNF was found to be a good candidate for SERS application.

A cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) film with a novel porous structure is successfully synthesized on Cu foil by using a simple hydrothermal method. A redox reaction occurs between Cu and Cu²⁺ in aqueous solution to form the Cu₂O film. The porous structures are formed as a result of the Ostwald ripening mechanism. In addition, photoluminescence measurements indicate that the porous Cu₂O film may reduce the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. The UV/Vis absorption property of the porous Cu₂O film is better than that of the granular Cu₂O film, and its high photocurrent is expected to make the porous Cu₂O film more suitable for solar energy applications.

A general one-pot solvothermal route was adopted to produce well-aligned NiSe and NiSe–Ni₃S₂ compound nanorod arrays on an Ni substrate. Metal foil was used as nickel source, and it also favored the unidirectional diffusion of metal ions, resulting in the vertical growth of one dimensional nanostructures on the substrate. Elemental mapping showed that the NiSe–Ni₃S₂ composite was an alloyed nanoheterostructure, which had paramagnetic behavior. Luminescence properties at room temperature indicated that the ultraviolet luminous intensity of the alloy materials could be significantly enhanced through doping Ni₃S₂ into the NiSe sample.