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Garg R, Gonuguntla S, Sk S, Iqbal MS, Dada AO, Pal U, Ahmadipour M. Sputtering thin films: Materials, applications, challenges and future directions. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 330:103203. [PMID: 38820883 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Sputtering is an effective technique for producing ultrathin films with diverse applications. The review begins by providing an in-depth overview of the background, introducing the early development of sputtering and its principles. Consequently, progress in advancements made in recent decades highlights the renaissance of sputtering as a powerful technology for creating thin films with varied compositions, structures, and properties. For the first time, we have discussed a thorough overview of several sputtered thin film materials based on metal and metal oxide, metal nitride, alloys, carbon, and ceramic-based thin film along with their properties and their applicability in various fields. We further delve into the applications of sputter-coated thin films, specifically emphasizing their relevance in environmental sustainability, energy and electronics, and biomedical fields. We critically examine the recent advancements in developing sputter-coated catalysts for eliminating water pollutants andhydrogen generation. Additionally, the review sheds light on advantages, shortcomings, and future directions for developing sputter-coated thin films utilized in biodegradable metals and alloys with enhanced corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This review is a comprehensive integration of recent literature, covering diverse sputtering thin film applications. We delve deeply into various material types and emphasize critical analysis of recent advancements, particularly in environmental, energy, and biomedical fields. By offering insights into both advancements and limitations, the review provides a nuanced understanding essential for practical utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renuka Garg
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, PO Box 26666, United Arab Emirates
| | - Spandana Gonuguntla
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Saddam Sk
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Muhammad Saqlain Iqbal
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore campus, 54000 Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Adewumi Oluwasogo Dada
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Industrial Chemistry Programme, Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B.1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara, Nigeria
| | - Ujjwal Pal
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Mohsen Ahmadipour
- Institute of Power Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Serdang, Malaysia.
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Andreou E, Vamvasakis I, Armatas GS. Efficient Visible Light Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by Boosting the Interfacial Electron Transfer in Mesoporous Mott-Schottky Heterojunctions of Co 2P-Modified CdIn 2S 4 Nanocrystals. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS 2024; 7:4891-4903. [PMID: 38911345 PMCID: PMC11192152 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.4c00710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation is an appealing means of sustainable solar energy storage. In the past few years, mesoporous semiconductors have been at the forefront of investigations in low-cost chemical fuel production and energy conversion technologies. Mesoporosity combined with the tunable electronic properties of semiconducting nanocrystals offers the desired large accessible surface and electronic connectivity throughout the framework, thus enhancing photocatalytic activity. In this work, we present the construction of rationally designed 3D mesoporous networks of Co2P-modified CdIn2S4 nanoscale crystals (ca. 5-6 nm in size) through an effective soft-templating synthetic route and demonstrate their impressive performance for visible-light-irradiated catalytic hydrogen production. Spectroscopic characterizations combined with electrochemical studies unravel the multipathway electron transfer dynamics across the interface of Co2P/CdIn2S4 Mott-Schottky nanoheterojunctions and shed light on their impact on the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution chemistry. The strong Mott-Schottky interaction occurring at the heterointerface can regulate the charge transport toward greatly improved hydrogen evolution performance. The hybrid catalyst with 10 wt % Co2P content unveils a H2 evolution rate of 20.9 mmol gcat -1 h-1 under visible light irradiation with an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) up to 56.1% at 420 nm, which is among the highest reported activities. The understanding of interfacial charge-transfer mechanism could provide valuable insights into the rational development of highly efficient catalysts for clean energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos
K. Andreou
- Department of Materials Science
and Engineering University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Ioannis Vamvasakis
- Department of Materials Science
and Engineering University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion 70013, Greece
| | - Gerasimos S. Armatas
- Department of Materials Science
and Engineering University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion 70013, Greece
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Fazil M, Alshehri SM, Mao Y, Ahmad T. Enhanced Photo/Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by Hydrothermally Derived Cu-Doped TiO 2 Solid Solution Nanostructures. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:4063-4076. [PMID: 38354294 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Highly efficient nanocatalysts with a high specific surface area were successfully synthesized by a cost-effective and environmentally friendly hydrothermal method. Structural and elemental purity, size, morphology, specific surface area, and band gap of pristine and 1 to 5% Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET surface area, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and UV-visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS) studies. The XPS and EPR findings indicated the successful integration of Cu ions into the TiO2 lattice. UV-DRS and BET surface area investigations revealed that with an increase in dopant concentration, Cu-doped TiO2 NPs show a decrease in band gap (3.19-3.08 eV) and an increase in specific surface area (169.9-188.2 m2/g). Among all compositions, 2.5% Cu-doped TiO2 has shown significant H2 evolution with an apparent quantum yield of 17.67%. Furthermore, the electrochemical water-splitting study shows that 5% Cu-doped TiO2 NPs have superiority over pristine TiO2 for H2 evolution reaction. It was thus revealed that the band gap tuning with the desired dopant concentration led to enhanced photo/electrocatalytic sustainable energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Fazil
- Nanochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Saad M Alshehri
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yuanbing Mao
- Department of Chemistry, Illinois Institute of Technology, 3105 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60616, United States
| | - Tokeer Ahmad
- Nanochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
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Frątczak EZ, Balcerzak J, Rogala M. Optoelectronic Properties of Cold Plasma-Deposited, Oxidized Sn-C Thin Films. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:314. [PMID: 38255482 PMCID: PMC10817613 DOI: 10.3390/ma17020314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
We report on investigating the structural and electronic properties of semiconducting and insulating layers produced in a process resembling percolation in a unique cold plasma fabrication method (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition-PECVD). Amorphous carbon-tin films (Sn-C) produced from tetramethyl tin (TMT) with an acoustic-frequency glow discharge in a three-electrode reactor were investigated. The layers, after air exposure, oxidized to SnO2/Sn-C. Depending on the coupling capacitance applied to the plasma reactor, the films could be obtained in the form of an amorphous semiconductor or an amorphous insulator. We assume that the semiconductor consists of an internal network of channels auto-organized during deposition. The insulator does not demonstrate any internal structure features. An investigation on conductive filaments creating low-dimensional (LD) nanojunctions in the semiconductor and the location of energetic levels in the insulator was performed. The main parameters of the electronic band structure of the insulating film, such as the transport gap EG (5.2 eV), optical gap Eopt (3.1 eV), electron affinity Χ (2.1 eV), and ionization potential J (7.3 eV), were determined. We have demonstrated a simple approach for developing a catalyst candidate consisting of amorphous semiconductor-insulator nanojunctions for (photo)catalytic hydrogen evolution or CO2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Zofia Frątczak
- Department of Molecular Engineering, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 213, 93-005 Lodz, Poland
| | - Jacek Balcerzak
- Department of Molecular Engineering, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska 213, 93-005 Lodz, Poland
| | - Maciej Rogala
- Sub-Department of Physics and Technology of Nanometric Structures, Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, University of Lodz, Pomorska 149/153, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
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Sk S, Jamma A, Gavali DS, Bhasin V, Ghosh R, Sudarshan K, Thapa R, Pal U. Modulated Ultrathin NiCo-LDH Nanosheet-Decorated Zr 3+-Rich Defective NH 2-UiO-66 Nanostructure for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:55822-55836. [PMID: 37994833 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Defect engineering through modification of their surface linkage is found to be an effective pathway to escalate the solar energy conversion efficiency of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Herein, defect engineering using controlled decarboxylation on the NH2-UiO-66 surface and integration of ultrathin NiCo-LDH nanosheets synergizes the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under a broad visible light regime. Diversified analytical methods including positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy were employed to investigate the role of Zr3+-rich defects by analyzing the annihilation characteristics of positrons in NH2-UiO-66, which provides a deep insight into the effects of structural defects on the electronic properties. The progressively tuned photophysical properties of the NiCo-LDH@NH2-UiO-66-D-heterostructured nanocatalyst led to an impressive rate of HER (∼2458 μmol h-1 g-1), with an apparent quantum yield of ∼6.02%. The ultrathin NiCo-LDH nanosheet structure was found to be highly favored toward electrostatic self-assembly in the heterostructure for efficient charge separation. Coordination of Zr3+ on the surface of the NiCo-LDH nanosheet support through NH2-UiO-66 was confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy studies unveiled a photoexcited charge migration process from MOF to NiCo-LDH which favorably occurred on a picosecond time scale to boost the catalytic activity of the composite system. Furthermore, the experimental finding and HER activity are validated by density functional theory studies and evaluation of the free energy pathway which reveals the strong hydrogen binding over the surface and infers the anchoring effect of the ultrathin layered double hydroxide (LDH) in the vicinity of the Zr cluster with a strong host-guest interaction. This work provided a novel insight into efficient photocatalysis via defect engineering at the linker modulation in MOFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saddam Sk
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Aparna Jamma
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Deepak S Gavali
- Department of Physics, SRM University AP, Amaravati 522240, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Vidha Bhasin
- Atomic and Molecular Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Rajib Ghosh
- Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Kathi Sudarshan
- Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Ranjit Thapa
- Department of Physics, SRM University AP, Amaravati 522240, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Ujjwal Pal
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
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Vennapoosa CS, Varangane S, Gonuguntla S, Abraham BM, Ahmadipour M, Pal U. S-Scheme ZIF-67/CuFe-LDH Heterojunction for High-Performance Photocatalytic H 2 Evolution and CO 2 to MeOH Production. Inorg Chem 2023; 62:16451-16463. [PMID: 37737088 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
The S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst holds potential for better photocatalysis owing to its capacity to broaden the light absorption range, ease electron-hole separation, extend the charge carrier lifespan, and maximize the redox ability. In this study, we integrate zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs-67) with the CuFe-LDH composite, offering a straightforward approach towards creating a novel hybrid nanostructure, enabling remarkable performance in both photocatalytic hydrogen (H2) evolution and carbon dioxide (CO2) to methanol (MeOH) conversion. The ZIF-67/CuFe-LDH photocatalyst exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 7.4 mmol g-1 h-1 and an AQY of 4.8%. The superior activity of CO2 reduction to MeOH generation was 227 μmol g-1 h-1 and an AQY of 5.1%, and it still exhibited superior activity after continuously working for 4 runs with nearly negligible decay in activity. The combined spectroscopic analysis, electrochemical study, and computational data strongly demonstrate that this hybrid material integrates the advantageous properties of the individual ZIF-67 and CuFe-LDH exhibiting distinguished photon harvesting, suppression of the photoinduced electron-hole recombination kinetics, extended lifetime, and efficient charge transfer, subsequently boosting higher photocatalytic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Shobha Vennapoosa
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - Sagar Varangane
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
| | - Spandana Gonuguntla
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
| | - B Moses Abraham
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Mohsen Ahmadipour
- Institute of Power Engineering, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ujjwal Pal
- Department of Energy & Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka, Hyderabad, Telangana 500007, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
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Liu Q, Cheng H, Wang X, Qian P. Exploring efficient hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts of nonmetal atom doped Mo 2CO 2 MXenes by first-principles screening. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:5056-5065. [PMID: 36723035 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp05239c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Non-metal doping engineering has shown great potential for designing high-performance MXene-based catalysts for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution. We rationally design 14 kinds of nonmetal atom-doped Mo2CO2 catalysts and investigate the effects of nonmetal doping on the thermal stability and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalytic activity of these structures through first-principles calculations. The results show that the addition of nonmetal dopants, such as Si, Cl, Br and I, on the Mo2CO2 surface can effectively improve the HER activity, making them promising candidates for effective HER catalysts. Besides, we studied the thermal stability of nonmetal doped Mo2CO2 by calculating the binding energy and explored the reason behind the variation in the binding energy. Furthermore, the origin of the HER activity difference regulated by various nonmetal dopants is explained based on the analysis of their electronic properties. We found that the number of valence electrons and Bader charge coupling of doped nonmetal atoms are effective electronic descriptors of the hydrogen adsorption strength and HER activity, which provide a clue for future prediction of highly efficient MXene-based HER catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Magneto-Photoelectrical Composite and Interface Science, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Haixia Cheng
- Material Digital R&D Center, China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Xiaoxu Wang
- DP Technology, Beijing 100080, China. .,AI for Science Institute, Beijing 100080, China
| | - Ping Qian
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Materials Genome Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Magneto-Photoelectrical Composite and Interface Science, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Review on Metal Chalcogenides and Metal Chalcogenide-Based Nanocomposites in Photocatalytic Applications. CHEMISTRY AFRICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s42250-022-00577-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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