Factorial electrochemical design for tailoring of morphological and optical properties of Cu2O

[EN] The electrodeposition of cuprous oxide (Cu2O) onto FTO-coated glass substrate was studied by using a statistical approach in order to control the Cu2O morphology and optical properties. The factorial design considered four electrodeposition conditions at two representative levels as input variables (electrolyte temperature and pH, deposition potential and duration) and the deposition charge and morphology of obtained Cu2O as the output variables. The morphology analysis showed the highest influence on crystal shape was exhibited by electrolyte temperature and pH, reaching significance levels of 95 and 98%, respectively. Temperature as low as 35°C and pH 12.2 results in cubic morphology, while other parameters result in octahedron shape. The highest absorbance was exhibited by the Cu2O with cubic morphology.AP acknowledges financial support from Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CNCS - UEFISCDI (project number PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-0806].Cembrero-Coca, P.; Cembrero Cil, J.; Busquets Mataix, DJ.; Pérez Puig, MA.; Marí, B.; Pruna, AI. (2017). Factorial electrochemical design for tailoring of morphological and optical properties of Cu2O. Materials Science and Technology. 33(17):2102-2109. https://doi.org/10.1080/02670836.2017.1349595S210221093317Rakhshani, A. E. (1987). Measurement of dispersion in electrodeposited Cu2O. Journal of Applied Physics, 62(4), 1528-1529. doi:10.1063/1.339619Chen, L.-C. (2013). Review of preparation and optoelectronic characteristics of Cu2O-based solar cells with nanostructure. Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 16(5), 1172-1185. doi:10.1016/j.mssp.2012.12.028Hsu, Y.-K., Lin, H.-H., Wu, J.-R., Chen, M.-H., Chen, Y.-C., & Lin, Y.-G. (2014). Electrochemical growth and characterization of a p-Cu2O thin film on n-ZnO nanorods for solar cell application. RSC Advances, 4(15), 7655. doi:10.1039/c3ra47188hChou, S.-M., Hon, M.-H., Leu, I.-C., & Lee, Y.-H. (2008). Al-Doped ZnO∕Cu[sub 2]O Heterojunction Fabricated on (200) and (111)-Orientated Cu[sub 2]O Substrates. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 155(11), H923. doi:10.1149/1.2980424Siegfried, M. J., & Choi, K.-S. (2004). Electrochemical Crystallization of Cuprous Oxide with Systematic Shape Evolution. Advanced Materials, 16(19), 1743-1746. doi:10.1002/adma.200400177Siegfried, M. J., & Choi, K.-S. (2005). Directing the Architecture of Cuprous Oxide Crystals during Electrochemical Growth. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 44(21), 3218-3223. doi:10.1002/anie.200463018Yang, W.-Y., Kim, W.-G., & Rhee, S.-W. (2008). Radio frequency sputter deposition of single phase cuprous oxide using Cu2O as a target material and its resistive switching properties. Thin Solid Films, 517(2), 967-971. doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2008.08.184Reddy, A. S., Uthanna, S., & Reddy, P. S. (2007). Properties of dc magnetron sputtered Cu2O films prepared at different sputtering pressures. Applied Surface Science, 253(12), 5287-5292. doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.11.051Laik, B., Poizot, P., & Tarascon, J.-M. (2002). The Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance as a Means for Studying the Reactivity of Cu[sub 2]O toward Lithium. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 149(3), A251. doi:10.1149/1.1445430Fu, L. J., Gao, J., Zhang, T., Cao, Q., Yang, L. C., Wu, Y. P., … Wu, H. Q. (2007). Preparation of Cu2O particles with different morphologies and their application in lithium ion batteries. Journal of Power Sources, 174(2), 1197-1200. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.06.030Zhou, Y., & Switzer, J. A. (1998). Electrochemical Deposition and Microstructure of Copper (I) Oxide Films. Scripta Materialia, 38(11), 1731-1738. doi:10.1016/s1359-6462(98)00091-8Budevski, E., Staikov, G., & Lorenz, W. J. (2000). Electrocrystallization. Electrochimica Acta, 45(15-16), 2559-2574. doi:10.1016/s0013-4686(00)00353-4Morales, J., Sánchez, L., Bijani, S., Martı́nez, L., Gabás, M., & Ramos-Barrado, J. R. (2005). Electrodeposition of Cu[sub 2]O: An Excellent Method for Obtaining Films of Controlled Morphology and Good Performance in Li-Ion Batteries. Electrochemical and Solid-State Letters, 8(3), A159. doi:10.1149/1.1854126Holzschuh, H., & Suhr, H. (1990). Deposition of copper oxide (Cu2O, CuO) thin films at high temperatures by plasma-enhanced CVD. Applied Physics A Solids and Surfaces, 51(6), 486-490. doi:10.1007/bf00324731Jeong, S., & Aydil, E. S. (2009). Heteroepitaxial growth of Cu2O thin film on ZnO by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Journal of Crystal Growth, 311(17), 4188-4192. doi:10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2009.07.020Pruna, A., Pullini, D., & Busquets, D. (2015). Effect of AZO film as seeding substrate on the electrodeposition and properties of Al-doped ZnO nanorod arrays. Ceramics International, 41(10), 14492-14500. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.07.087Pruna, A., Pullini, D., Tamvakos, D., Tamvakos, A., & Busquets-Mataix, D. (2015). Effect of tin-doped indium oxide film on electrodeposition of ZnO nanostructures. Materials Science and Technology, 31(14), 1794-1799. doi:10.1179/1743284715y.0000000016Pruna, A., Reyes-Tolosa, M. D., Pullini, D., Hernandez-Fenollosa, M. A., & Busquets-Mataix, D. (2015). Seed-free electrodeposition of ZnO bi-pods on electrophoretically-reduced graphene oxide for optoelectronic applications. Ceramics International, 41(2), 2381-2388. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.10.052Cembrero, J., Pruna, A., Pullini, D., & Busquets-Mataix, D. (2014). Effect of combined chemical and electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide on morphology and structure of electrodeposited ZnO. Ceramics International, 40(7), 10351-10357. doi:10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.03.008Prună, A., Pullini, D., & Mataix, D. B. (2012). Influence of Deposition Potential on Structure of ZnO Nanowires Synthesized in Track-Etched Membranes. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 159(4), E92-E98. doi:10.1149/2.003205jesJiang, X., Zhang, M., Shi, S., He, G., Song, X., & Sun, Z. (2014). Microstructure and optical properties of nanocrystalline Cu2O thin films prepared by electrodeposition. Nanoscale Research Letters, 9(1), 219. doi:10.1186/1556-276x-9-219Yu, X., Li, X., Zheng, G., Wei, Y., Zhang, A., & Yao, B. (2013). Preparation and properties of KCl-doped Cu2O thin film by electrodeposition. Applied Surface Science, 270, 340-345. doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2013.01.026Bijani, S., Schrebler, R., Dalchiele, E. A., Gabás, M., Martínez, L., & Ramos-Barrado, J. R. (2011). Study of the Nucleation and Growth Mechanisms in the Electrodeposition of Micro- and Nanostructured Cu2O Thin Films. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 115(43), 21373-21382. doi:10.1021/jp208535

Digital product passport : the ticket to achieving a climate neutral and circular European economy?

The introduction of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) is an opportunity to create a system that can store and share all relevant information throughout a product's life cycle. This would provide industry stakeholders, businesses, public authorities and consumers with a better understanding of the materials used in the product as well as their embodied environmental impact. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis, now is a critical moment to transform our economic and business models, while also addressing the huge scale of material emissions. DPPs can be a pivotal policy instrument in this goal. Furthermore, DPPs can accelerate the twin green and digital transitions as part of EU efforts to deliver positive climate action and sustainable economies. In 2020, the European Commission (EC) adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), which emphasised the need for circular economy initiatives to consider the entire life cycle of products, from the production of basic materials to end-of-life disposal. The Circular Economy Package published in March 2022 includes a proposal for an Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which builds upon the Ecodesign Directive that covers energy-related products. A DPP will form a key regulatory element of the ESPR by enhancing the traceability of products and their components. This will provide consumers and manufacturers with the information needed to make better informed choices by taking their environmental impact into consideration. As discussed in the report, there is widespread agreement amongst business leaders that a well-designed DPP could have both short- and longer-term benefits, improving access to reliable and comparable product sustainability information for businesses, consumers and policymakers. A well-designed DPP can unify information, making it more readily accessible to all actors in the supply chain. This will support businesses to ensure an effective transformation towards a decarbonised industry. It could also create incentives for companies to make their products more sustainable, as improving access to reliable and consistent information across supply chains will make it easier for customers to make comparisons

Improving the properties of Cu2O/ZnO heterojunction for photovoltaic application by graphene oxide

[EN] A p-Cu2O/n-ZnO heterojunction grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate is reported by a combined low-cost approach employing tape-casting of ZnO layer and subsequent electrochemical deposition of Cu2O layer. Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were employed as nanofiller for the ZnO matrix. Moreover, a ZnO buffer layer was inserted at the interface between the Cu2O and ZnO layers. The morphological, structural and photoelectrical characteristics of these heterojunction layers were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and photoelectrical current-voltage measurements. The results confirmed that the morphology and structure of ZnO layer were affected by the incorporation of GO nanosheets while the presence of buffer layer influenced the growth of Cu2O layer. This work shows the addition of GO and the use of ZnO buffer layer represent a viable approach towards improving the photoelectrical properties of the Cu2O/ZnO heterojunction cell.Financial support from Escuela Politecnica Nacional, Ecuador (project number PIMI 15-09) and Secretaria de Education Superior, Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovation (SENESCYT) and Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, Romania CNCS - UEFISCDI (project number PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-1544) is gratefully acknowledged.Rosas-Laverde, NM.; Pruna, AI.; Busquets Mataix, DJ.; Marí, B.; Cembrero Cil, J.; Salas Vicente, F.; Orozco-Messana, J. (2018). Improving the properties of Cu2O/ZnO heterojunction for photovoltaic application by graphene oxide. Ceramics International. 44(18):23045-23051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.09.107S2304523051441

INTRODUCCIÓN A LA NANOTECNOLOGÍA. DESARROLLO DE UN PROCESO TEÓRICO PRÁCTICO MEDIANTE LA TÉCNICA DE ELECTRODEPOSICIÓN

Con esta publicación los autores exponen su experiencia científica adquirida en el trascurso de su actividad docente e investigadora como miembros de la Universitat Politècnica de València. El libro presenta una breve descripción de los campos donde actualmente la nanotecnología está más implantada. Se describe la estructura del material a nivel atómico, se estudian las superficies y los sustratos ya que muchos de los procesos nanotecnológicos son procesos de superficie. Este contenido se complementa con un estudio de los materiales semiconductores que se están desarrollando con esta tecnología y, con la descripción de los principales equipos existentes para la elaboración y caracterización, ya que se consideran un factor importante que ha posibilitado que la nanotecnología avance tan rápidamente. Finalmente, se realiza el desarrollo de un proceso nanotecnológico utilizando todos los recursos necesarios en cualquier investigación. En esta propuesta de estudio de la Nanotecnología, los autores proponen algunos ejercicios y trabajos que ayudarán a comprender los temas tratados.Cembrero Cil, J.; Pérez Puig, MA.; Rayón Encinas, E.; Cembrero Coca, P.; Pascual Guillamón, M.; Marí Soucase, B.; Busquets Mataix, DJ. (2013). INTRODUCCIÓN A LA NANOTECNOLOGÍA. DESARROLLO DE UN PROCESO TEÓRICO PRÁCTICO MEDIANTE LA TÉCNICA DE ELECTRODEPOSICIÓN. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/71971EDITORIA

Effect of combined chemical and electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide on morphology and structure of electrodeposited ZnO

This study reports a novel method of tailoring the properties of ZnO nanostructures by electrodeposition in presence of chemically-reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The coupled electrochemical and chemical reduction of graphene oxide resulted in few-layer graphene-based material. The presence of rGO in the electrolytic bath showed a marked influence on the morphology and structure of the hybrid nanostructures. The results indicated the presence of 5 mg L 1 rGO results in a 42.9% decrease in resistivity of the hybrid material with respect to the pure ZnO. The proposed approach shows very promising for the fabrication of transparent conductive oxide electrodes.Financial support is gratefully acknowledged from the European Commission (Project no. NMP3-SL-2010-246073) and Romanian Authority for Scientific Research - UEFISCDI (Project no. PN-II-RU-PD-2012-3-0124). The authors would like to thank the support given by the Microscopy Service and Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ) from the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (Spain).Cembrero Cil, J.; Pruna, AI.; Pullini, D.; Busquets Mataix, DJ. (2014). Effect of combined chemical and electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide on morphology and structure of electrodeposited ZnO. Ceramics International. (7):10351-10357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.03.008S1035110357

Direct Identification of Urinary Tract Pathogens from Urine Samples by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry▿

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been suggested as a reliable method for bacterial identification from cultures. Direct analysis of clinical samples might increase the usefulness of this method, shortening the time for microorganism identification. We compared conventional methods for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and identification of the urinary tract pathogens (automated screening, plate cultures, and identification based on biochemical characteristics) and a fast method based on conventional screening and MALDI-TOF MS. For this latter method, 4 ml of urine was centrifuged at a low-revolution setting (2,000 × g) to remove leukocytes and then at high revolutions (15,500 × g) to collect bacteria. The pellet was washed and then applied directly to the MALDI-TOF MS plate. Two hundred sixty urine samples, detected as positive by the screening device (UF-1000i), were processed by culture and MALDI-TOF MS. Twenty samples were positive in the screening device but negative in culture, and all of them were also negative by MALDI-TOF MS. Two-hundred thirty-five samples displayed significant growth of a single morphological type in culture. Two-hundred twenty of them showed bacterial growth of >105 CFU/ml. Microorganism identifications in this group were coincident at the species level in 202 cases (91.8%) and at the genus level in 204 cases (92.7%). The most frequent microorganism was Escherichia coli (173 isolates). MALDI-TOF MS identified this microorganism directly from the urine sample in 163 cases (94.2%). Our results show that MALDI-TOF MS allows bacterial identification directly from infected urine in a short time, with high accuracy, and especially when Gram-negative bacteria with high bacterial counts are involved