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 MgK alpha 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. (C) 2014 American Vacuum Society.