Impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency
Abstract Semiconductor films are crucial in photocatalysis applications, yet their controlled production remains challenging. Previous studies have mainly focused on deposition processes, heating rates, and doping of semiconductor oxides. In this paper, we introduce a novel method for fabricating te...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58744-x |
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| author | Mohammed Althamthami Hachemi Ben Temam Elhachmi Guettaf Temam Saâd Rahmane Brahim Gasmi Gamil Gamal Hasan |
| author_facet | Mohammed Althamthami Hachemi Ben Temam Elhachmi Guettaf Temam Saâd Rahmane Brahim Gasmi Gamil Gamal Hasan |
| author_sort | Mohammed Althamthami |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Semiconductor films are crucial in photocatalysis applications, yet their controlled production remains challenging. Previous studies have mainly focused on deposition processes, heating rates, and doping of semiconductor oxides. In this paper, we introduce a novel method for fabricating tenorite (CuO) semiconductor films with varying precursor concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.1 g/ml) using a dip-coating technique. We explore the impact of contact angles, 3D surface topography, and film thickness on photoactivation properties, areas with limited previous research focus. The results demonstrate that higher-concentration tenorite films (0.1 g/ml) exhibit rougher surfaces (77.3 nm), increased hydrophobicity (65.61°), improved light-harvesting ability, enhanced charge separation, and higher active oxygen output. The crystal sizes were within the range of 7.3–44.1 nm. Wettability tests show a 21.47% improvement in the 0.1 g/ml film surface under indirect sunlight compared to darkness. Transmittance rates in the 600 nm range were from 0.02 to 90.94%. The direct optical band gaps were 1.21–2.74 eV, while the indirect band gaps remained unaffected (0.9–1.11 eV). Surface morphology analysis reveals an increased presence of grains with higher concentrations. Regarding photocatalysis's impact on film morphology and copper content, SEM images reveal minimal changes in film structure, while copper content remains stable with slight variations. This suggests strong adhesion of tenorite to the film after photocatalysis. Tenorite thin films display exceptional photocatalytic efficiency, making them suitable for practical applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:40:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1c6d385915e24296ba232dc93b55211d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T12:40:10Z |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-1c6d385915e24296ba232dc93b55211d2024-04-07T11:17:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-04-0114111510.1038/s41598-024-58744-xImpact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiencyMohammed Althamthami0Hachemi Ben Temam1Elhachmi Guettaf Temam2Saâd Rahmane3Brahim Gasmi4Gamil Gamal Hasan5Physics Laboratory of Thin Films and Applications, Biskra UniversityPhysics Laboratory of Thin Films and Applications, Biskra UniversityPhysics Laboratory of Thin Films and Applications, Biskra UniversityPhysics Laboratory of Thin Films and Applications, Biskra UniversityPhysics Laboratory of Thin Films and Applications, Biskra UniversityUniversity of El OuedAbstract Semiconductor films are crucial in photocatalysis applications, yet their controlled production remains challenging. Previous studies have mainly focused on deposition processes, heating rates, and doping of semiconductor oxides. In this paper, we introduce a novel method for fabricating tenorite (CuO) semiconductor films with varying precursor concentrations (0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.1 g/ml) using a dip-coating technique. We explore the impact of contact angles, 3D surface topography, and film thickness on photoactivation properties, areas with limited previous research focus. The results demonstrate that higher-concentration tenorite films (0.1 g/ml) exhibit rougher surfaces (77.3 nm), increased hydrophobicity (65.61°), improved light-harvesting ability, enhanced charge separation, and higher active oxygen output. The crystal sizes were within the range of 7.3–44.1 nm. Wettability tests show a 21.47% improvement in the 0.1 g/ml film surface under indirect sunlight compared to darkness. Transmittance rates in the 600 nm range were from 0.02 to 90.94%. The direct optical band gaps were 1.21–2.74 eV, while the indirect band gaps remained unaffected (0.9–1.11 eV). Surface morphology analysis reveals an increased presence of grains with higher concentrations. Regarding photocatalysis's impact on film morphology and copper content, SEM images reveal minimal changes in film structure, while copper content remains stable with slight variations. This suggests strong adhesion of tenorite to the film after photocatalysis. Tenorite thin films display exceptional photocatalytic efficiency, making them suitable for practical applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58744-xSurface roughnessWettabilityTenoritePhotocatalysisDip-coating |
| spellingShingle | Mohammed Althamthami Hachemi Ben Temam Elhachmi Guettaf Temam Saâd Rahmane Brahim Gasmi Gamil Gamal Hasan Impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency Scientific Reports Surface roughness Wettability Tenorite Photocatalysis Dip-coating |
| title | Impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency |
| title_full | Impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency |
| title_fullStr | Impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency |
| title_short | Impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite (CuO) films: a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency |
| title_sort | impact of surface topography and hydrophobicity in varied precursor concentrations of tenorite cuo films a study of film properties and photocatalytic efficiency |
| topic | Surface roughness Wettability Tenorite Photocatalysis Dip-coating |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58744-x |
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