Elements for flexible electronics and "green" fuel were received in Russia

The technology for the synthesis of copper nanooxides (CuO) developed at MIET will help to create high-precision sensors for flexible electronics and optimize the method of obtaining environmentally friendly hydrogen. The results of the study were published in the journal Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures.

The Russian solution can be applied in the technology of producing environmentally friendly hydrogen and in flexible (elastic) electronics devices, where the developed nanooxides are in demand. In particular, specialists noted their high light absorption coefficient, large surface area and resistance of the structure to deformations.

Hydrogen is used as an alternative source of fuel for cars, since its use does not emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. One of the promising methods for producing hydrogen is the electrochemical process of water decomposition under the influence of light.

You need two photoelectrodes - an anode and a cathode. The second one is often made of platinum, which significantly increases the cost of the technology. There is an alternative: just use the nanomaterial the scientists have developed, as it provides good charge conductivity and at the same time absorbs most of the light falling on it - about 97% - which helps to accelerate the hydrogen release. Such a replacement can reduce the cost of the process and open up new ways to supplement the existing technology.

One more significant advantage is the high adhesion of nanoparticles to the copper substrate. The feature allows CuO to be widely used in the development of flexible electronics elements, sensors of complex shape and varieties of solar cells.

The researchers also obtained superimposed copper oxide nanosheets on a conductive copper substrate during conventional anodic oxidation (polarization on the surface of metals in a conductive environment). The result was obtained by raising the temperature to 60°C. Then MIET researchers found the dependence of the composition and structure of the material on the temperature of its formation.

The developed method makes it possible to obtain the desired structure of a substance on a conductive substrate immediately and does not require high temperatures or vacuum.

The research team is going to develop prototypes of devices based on the obtained material and scale the technology for its synthesis.

R&Ds are carried out on the basis of the Institute of Advanced Materials and Technologies as part of the Priority 2030 program.