ott.ua.edu

1. UAIPD 12-0036
Dr. Nitin Chopra
Oxide-based nanostructures: Methods of
fabrication and applications

2. Current Problems
• Nanophotocatalysts
– Energy applications
– Fuel catalysts
• Current nanophotocatalyst systems use precious metals
– Expensive
– Rare
– Non-recyclable
• Demand for a simple and cheap photocatalyst
– Reduces reliability on precious metals
– Reduces reliability on complex chemistry

3. • Oxide-based nanostructures
– CuO-Co3O4-based nanowire
heterostructures are used to
catalyze reactions with light
– Controlled morphology,
interface and phase-purity
• Treated by sputtering and
subsequent air annealing
– Visible/UV light activation of
ceramic oxide nanowire
heterostructures
Technology
Figure 1: Schematic of nanowire
structures

4. • Well-controlled architecture
• Universal fabrication technique that occurs in dry
environment
• Substrate can be reused
– Reduces cost of production
• Oxides are active in a broad range of wavelengths
– Large band gap allows for various applications
• Degrade organic applications
Advantages

5. • Dr. Nitin Chopra
– Associate Professor
– 40+ publications
– 1 patent application
• Departments
– Metallurgical and Materials
Engineering
– Center for Materials for
Information Technologies
Inventor
nchopra@eng.ua.edu

6. Office for Technology Transfer
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UAIPD 12-0036
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