Fe2O3-CuO Nanocomposites Prepared by a Two-step Vapor Phase Strategy and Analyzed by XPS

Beta-Fe2O3-CuO nanosystems were developed by using a two-step vapor-phase strategy. Beta-Fe2O3 matrices (hosts) were initially deposited by Plasma Enhanced-Chemical Vapor Deposition (PE-CVD) on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrates. Subsequently, CuO nanoparticles (NPs, guests) were over-deposited by means of Radio Frequency (RF)-sputtering under mild preparation conditions. A thorough characterization highlighted the dispersion of CuO NPs inside the host iron oxide. To this regard, X-ray Photoelectron and X-ray Excited Auger Electron Spectroscopies (XPS and XE-AES) analyses provided valuable information on the system chemical composition. In particular, attention has been devoted to the analysis of the O 1s, Fe 2p, Cu 2p core levels and Cu LMM Auger peak, employing a non-monochromated MgKa source. The investigation confirmed the presence of Fe(III) and Cu(II) oxides, highlighting the formation of nanocomposites in which the host and guest species maintained their chemical identity.