Characterization and electrochemical properties of highly dispersed copper oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles in graphite-like carbon films prepared by RF sputtering method

We prepared 4.5% and 2.6% copper oxide/hydroxide nanoparticle highly dispersed in graphite-like carbon film (Cu-NDC) by RF co-sputtering copper and carbon together. The two film structures were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. The nanoparticles size is about 4-5 nm. The copper particles in the two different content films have different chemical state. The copper in 4.5%, Cu-NDC film exists mainly as cupric hydroxide (Cu(OH)(2)), while in 2.6%) Cu-NDC film cuprous oxide (Cu2O) is the predominant form. The electrochemical properties of the two kinds of Cu-NDC films were evaluated by detecting glucose in an alklaline medium at constant applied potentials in flow system. The 4.5% Cu-NDC film electrode has higher electrocatalytic ability than that of 2.6% Cu-NDC film electrode with regards to electrooxidation of glucose. Both of the two Cu-NDC film electrodes have good stability. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.