CuWO4 with CuO and Cu(OH)2 Native Surface Layers for H2S Detection under in-Field Conditions

The paper presents the possibility of detecting low H2S concentrations using CuWO4. The applicative challenge was to obtain sensitivity, selectivity, short response time, and full recovery at a low operating temperature under in-field atmosphere, which means variable relative humidity (%RH). Three different chemical synthesis routes were used for obtaining the samples labeled as: CuW1, CuW2, and CuW3. The materials have been fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). While CuWO4 is the common main phase with triclinic symmetry, different native layers of CuO and Cu(OH)2 have been identified on top of the surfaces. The differences induced into their structural, morphological, and surface chemistry revealed different degrees of surface hydroxylation. Knowing the poisonous effect of H2S, the sensing properties evaluation allowed the CuW2 selection based on its specific surface recovery upon gas exposure. Simultaneous electrical resistance and work function measurements confirmed the weak influence of moisture over the sensing properties of CuW2, due to the pronounced Cu(OH)2 native surface layer, as shown by XPS investigations. Moreover, the experimental results obtained at 150 °C highlight the linear sensor signal for CuW2 in the range of 1 to 10 ppm H2S concentrations and a pronounced selectivity towards CO, CH4, NH3, SO2, and NO2. Therefore, the applicative potential deserves to be noted. The study has been completed by a theoretical approach aiming to link the experimental findings with the CuW2 intrinsic properties.

Antimicrobial Properties of Polyaniline and Polypyrrole Decorated with Zinc-Doped Copper Oxide Microparticles

Polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPY) were synthesized by carbon dots (CDs) under UV irradiation and then sonicated together with zinc acetate and copper acetate to form the PANI-Zn@CuO and PPY-Zn@Cu composites. The former consisted of agglomerated spherical particles with diameters of 1–5 µm, whereas the latter displayed irregular stick shapes with similar diameters. The bacterial potency of the composites against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was enhanced remarkably with Zn doping in the CuO matrix, designated as Zn0.11Cu0.89O, at 0.144 mg/mL. The cell death was mainly attributed to the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that would severely damage DNA, proteins, and lipids. Bacteria could adhere to neutral surfaces of the composites by van der Waals attractive forces. The binding event disrupted the native surface charge of bacterial cells to induce cell lysis and result in eventual cell death.

Investigation of the oxidation process in GeTe-based phase change alloy using Ge K-edge XANES spectroscopy

In this work, we clearly demonstrate the efficacy of using XANES spectroscopy in conjunction with a Pilatus detector as a sensitive tool to allow the study of the oxidation process in GeTe alloys via depth profile analysis. On the basis of Ge K-edge XANES spectra, it was found that GeTe alloys do not oxidize readily after an initial native surface oxidation that occurs upon exposure to oxygen in the air at the elevated temperatures, 100 °C and 330 °C. We demonstrate that amorphous GeTe possesses a higher predisposition to oxidation than crystalline GeTe when exposed to the air at temperature of 100 °C. When the temperature is set to 330 °C in an air ambient, we show that the amorphous to crystal phase transition affects the oxidation process more significantly than the simple annealing of crystalline GeTe. We suggest that the higher tendency of GeTe films to oxidize during the phase transition is a consequence of the breaking of Ge–Ge bonds in the presence of oxygen atoms which subsequently leads to the extra formation of Ge–O bonds during crystallization.