Influence of Operating Conditions on Morphology and Composition of Anodically Grown Films on Copper in NaHCO3
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Alzahrani, Mohammad
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Misiolek, Wojciech Z.
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Lehigh University
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2019
GENERAL NOTES
Text of Note
60 p.
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
M.Sc.
Body granting the degree
Lehigh University
Text preceding or following the note
2019
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
A systemic analysis of the influence of experimental conditions on growth of anodic nanostructures on copper was performed. An aqueous electrolyte composed of 0.01 M sodium bicarbonate was used in order to form oxide nanostructures on the surface of copper. The electrochemical oxidation of the copper results in the formation of cuprous oxide (CuO), cupric oxide (Cu2O) and cupric hydroxide - Cu(OH)2. Operating conditions such as temperature, time of anodization, voltage and type of electrolyte have a significant influence on the grown nanostructures' chemical composition and morphology. In the performed experiments, anodization was performed for 2, 5 and 20 hours at 62 samples of copper at various voltages (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 V) and at different temperatures (0, 10 and 20 °C). X-ray diffraction was employed to obtain information about the structure and composition of the final materials. In addition, FE-SEM was utilized as well to investigate the grown nanowires morphology. The composition of CuO, Cu2O and Cu(OH)2 nanostructures has been confirmed by both the X-ray diffraction and FE-SEM electron microscopy. CuO and Cu2O nanostructures might be utilized in many engineering applications. Anodization of copper is one of the most suitable techniques for fabrication of high-aspect ratio copper oxides nanowires due to its efficiency. Potential applications are in the area of renewable energy, water splitting and electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction.