Carbon copper thin films for discoloration of indigo carmine

Highlights

• The thin films were elaborated by RF magnetron sputtering.

• Characterization have been performed on the structure and the optic.

• The tested application of thin film is the degradation of dye in water solution induced by light.

Abstract

Copper-C_XH_Y composites were elaborated by RF magnetron sputtering of a pure copper target in a reactive gas mixture of argon (Ar) and cyclohexane. Some structural and optical characterization have been performed revealing the presence of nanometric Cu/Cu₂O/CuO particles embedded into a disordered hydrogenated carbon matrix. The optical measurements have shown the properties of a semiconductor material with an indirect gap and a direct transition in the visible range. Catalytic effect of the copper-C_XH_Y composites has been tested by monitoring the degradation of a dye (the indigo carmine) in a water solution induced by the light.