Synthesis and optical properties of Cu 2O/SiO 2 composite films via gamma-irradiation route

Abstract

The Cu 2O particles or clusters dispersed mesoporous SiO 2 composite films were prepared by a new method: First the matrix SiO 2 films were prepared by sol–gel process combined with the dip-coating technique, and then they were soaked in Cu(NO 3) 2 solutions followed by γ-ray irradiation at room temperature and in ambient pressure. Thus prepared Cu 2O/SiO 2 composite films were examined by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and optical absorption spectroscopy. Compared with the pure Cu 2O nanoparticles, an obvious blue shift existed in the obtained Cu 2O/SiO 2 composite films.