Tuning the Optical Properties of CuO/TiO₂ Nanocomposites by Carbon Ions Beam Irradiation

Abstract:

CuO/TiO₂ nanocomposites were synthesized using an economical drop-casting method and subsequently irradiated with high-energy C⁺ ions at fluence levels of 1 × 10¹⁴, 1 × 10¹⁵, 1 × 10¹⁶, and 1 × 10¹⁷ ions cm⁻². While ion irradiation of metal oxide materials is well established, the systematic investigation of C⁺ ion effects on the structural and optical properties of CuO/TiO₂ nanocomposites under these specific fluence conditions has been limited. This study therefore contributes new insight into how controlled C⁺ irradiation can tailor the behavior of this composite. These un-irradiated and irradiated nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques such as Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Photoluminescence (PL) Spectroscopy and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) to analyze structural, morphological and optical properties of these nanocomposites. The Raman and EDX analysis confirmed the formation of pure CuO/TiO₂ nanocomposites. The SEM results represent the spherical morphology of these nanocomposites in aggregated form. PL spectra’s depicted the pure and C⁺ ions irradiated nanocomposites were the same before and after C⁺ irradiation in the Photoluminescence emission. DRS results indicated that band gap energy was decreased as the fluence rate of C⁺ ions increased up to 1 × 10¹⁷ ions cm^-2.

• Periodical: Journal of Nano Research (Volume 91)
• Pages: 35-50
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-igtoJ3
• Online since: March 2026
• Authors: Urfa Muneer, Shehla Honey*, Katlego Makgopa, Javed Ahmad, M. Maaza, Nadeem Arif
• Keywords: Carbon Ions (C⁺), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Irradiation, Nanocomposites, Nanoparticle, Photoluminescence (PL), Raman, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

References

[1] Sharma, V., et al., High-performance radiation stable ZnO/Ag/ZnO multilayer transparent conductive electrode. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2017. 169: pp.122-131.

DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2017.05.009

[2] Ellmer, K., Past achievements and future challenges in the development of optically transparent electrodes. Nature Photonics, 2012. 6(12): pp.809-817.

DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2012.282

[3] Ravikumar, K. and M.S.J.H. Dangate, Advancements in stretchable organic optoelectronic devices and flexible transparent conducting electrodes: Current progress and future prospects. 2024. 10(13).

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33002

[4] Kumar, A. and C. Zhou, The race to replace tin-doped indium oxide: which material will win? ACS nano, 2010. 4(1): pp.11-14.

DOI: 10.1021/nn901903b

[5] Priyadarsini, S.S., et al., Printed oxide materials and devices for transparent electronics. 2025. 58(47): p.473001.

[6] Soubane, D. and M.J.N.H.M.I.A. El Garah, Advances in Nanostructured Materials and Liquid Crystal Composites: Unveiling Structural Properties and Emerging Paradigms in Display Technologies. 2026: p.113.

DOI: 10.1002/9781394314171.ch3

[7] Wu, Y.-K.R. and L.J. Guo, An Ultrathin, Smooth, and Low-Loss Al-Doped Ag Film and Its Application as a Transparent Electrode in Organic Photovoltaics Cheng Zhang, Dewei Zhao, Deen Gu, Hyunsoo Kim, Tao Ling.

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201306091

[8] Lee, J.-Y., et al., Solution-processed metal nanowire mesh transparent electrodes. Nano letters, 2008. 8(2): pp.689-692.

DOI: 10.1021/nl073296g

[9] Hecht, D.S., L. Hu, and G. Irvin, Emerging transparent electrodes based on thin films of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metallic nanostructures. Advanced materials, 2011. 23(13): pp.1482-1513.

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201003188

[10] Bae, S., et al., Roll-to-roll production of 30-inch graphene films for transparent electrodes. Nature nanotechnology, 2010. 5(8): pp.574-578.

DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2010.132

[11] Yang, W., et al., Carbon nanomaterials in biosensors: should you use nanotubes or graphene? Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2010. 49(12): pp.2114-2138.

DOI: 10.1002/anie.200903463

[12] Rajendren, V.B., et al., Role of graphene in metal matrix functional composites: a review. 2025. 32(5): pp.713-786.

[13] Younes, B., B. Alideh, and A.A.J.J.o.S.E.R. Ramadan, Graphene Fibers and Modern Solar Textiles: A Review of Advances and Applications. 2025. 10(3): pp.2522-2558.

[14] Grandolfo, A., Graphene-Based nanostructures and colloidal silver coatings for flexible cellulose substrates. 2025.

[15] Chavali, M.S. and M.P. Nikolova, Metal oxide nanoparticles and their applications in nanotechnology. SN applied sciences, 2019. 1(6): p.607.

[16] Arimoro, A.E., C.J.P.W.M. Arinze-Umobi, and Policy, Sustainable public-private partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa: A conceptual framework for low carbon development and domestic financing. 2026. 31(1): pp.40-76.

DOI: 10.1177/1087724x251356462

[17] Shams, H., M. Kamran, and A.W. Shamas, Energy policy, economics, and environmental impact, in Innovative Energy Management. 2026, Elsevier. pp.331-360.

DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-443-33004-9.00007-1

[18] Qin, X., et al., Green innovation implementation: a systematic review and research directions. 2026. 52(1): pp.255-282.

[19] Miquel-Ibarz, A., J. Burgués, and S. Marco, Global calibration models for temperature-modulated metal oxide gas sensors: A strategy to reduce calibration costs. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2022. 350: p.130769.

DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2021.130769

[20] Lei, Z., et al., Recent advances of layered-transition metal oxides for energy-related applications. Energy Storage Materials, 2021. 36: pp.514-550.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2021.01.004

[21] Burgués, J. and S. Marco, Low power operation of temperature-modulated metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors. Sensors, 2018. 18(2): p.339.

DOI: 10.3390/s18020339

[22] Gao, S.-L., et al., Persistent photoconductivity of metal oxide semiconductors. 2024. 6(3): pp.1542-1561.

[23] Zhao, Y., et al., Synthesis and optical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles. Materials Letters, 2007. 61(1): pp.79-83.

[24] Hitosugi, T., et al., Properties of TiO2‐based transparent conducting oxides. Physica status solidi (a), 2010. 207(7): pp.1529-1537.

DOI: 10.1002/pssa.200983774

[25] Kaur, G., et al., Exploring the role of nitrogen doping in tuning the band gap and electrical properties of sol–gel synthesized anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles. 2025. 162: p.116851.

DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2025.116851

[26] Enyashin, A.N. and G. Seifert, Structure, stability and electronic properties of TiO2 nanostructures. physica status solidi (b), 2005. 242(7): pp.1361-1370.

DOI: 10.1002/pssb.200540026

[27] Ullah, I., et al., Computational Investigation of the Structural, Electronic and Optical Properties of Co-Doped and Tri (C, N, Ni)-doped TiO2 for Photoelectrochemical Applications. 2025: p. e01136.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cocom.2025.e01136

[28] Geldasa, F.T., et al., Density functional theory study of Chlorine, Fluorine, Nitrogen, and Sulfur doped rutile TiO2 for photocatalytic application. 2025. 15(1): p.3390.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84316-0

[29] Saleem, S., et al., Enhancement in structural, morphological, and optical properties of copper oxide for optoelectronic device applications. 2022. 11(1): pp.2827-2838.

[30] Alotaibi, B., et al., Fabrication, structure and optical characteristics of CuO/polymer nanocomposites materials for optical devices. 2024. 29(7): pp.562-572.

DOI: 10.1080/1023666x.2024.2397392

[31] Ahmed, M.A. and A.A. Mohamed, CuO-Based Photocatalysts in Wastewater Purification, in Metal Oxide Based Nanophotocatalyst for Wastewater Purification. 2025, Springer. pp.231-257.

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-96-7683-5_9

[32] Idrees, M., et al., Band Gap Modulation and Optical Property Enhancement in Sn-Doped CuO Nanostructures for Advanced Optoelectronic Applications. 2025.

DOI: 10.47852/bonviewjopr52023409

[33] Jha, K., et al., Recent advances on catalytic potentials of copper oxides (I & II): fundamentals to applications. 2025: pp.1-43.

[34] Dhineshbabu, N.R., et al., Study of structural and optical properties of cupric oxide nanoparticles. 2016. 6(6): pp.933-939.

[35] Gangwar, J., B.K. Gupta, and A.K. Srivastava, Prospects of Emerging Engineered Oxide Nanomaterials and their Applications. Defence Science Journal, 2016. 66(4).

DOI: 10.14429/dsj.66.10206

[36] Yaqoob, A.A., et al., Synthesis of metal oxide–based nanocomposites for energy storage application. 2022: pp.611-635.

[37] Rayene, A.A.M. and M. Rayene, Effect of Cr doping on optical and electrical properties of CuO thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis technique. 2025, University of Echahid Cheikh Larbi Tébessi-Tébessa.

[38] Khan, M.E., et al., Properties of metal and metal oxides nanocomposites, in Nanocomposites-Advanced Materials for Energy and Environmental Aspects. 2023, Elsevier. pp.23-39.

DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-99704-1.00027-8

[39] Hasach, G.A. and H.S.J.J.o.F. Al-Salman, Enhancing photoelectric response of self-powered UV and visible detectors using CuO/ZnO NRs heterojunctions. 2025. 35(7): pp.5333-5343.

DOI: 10.1007/s10895-024-03918-z

[40] Irfan, M. and A.A.J.J.o.t.I.C.S. Haidry, Multifunctional Cu–TiO2 porous nano-structures via post-synthesis LASER treatment for boosting energy storage and photocatalytic applications. 2025. 102(5): p.101683.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jics.2025.101683

[41] Jain, I. and G.J.S.S.R. Agarwal, Ion beam induced surface and interface engineering. 2011. 66(3-4): pp.77-172.

[42] Huang, S., et al., Recent advances in irradiation-mediated synthesis and tailoring of inorganic nanomaterials for photo-/electrocatalysis. 2025.

[43] Mukherjee, J., et al., Low energy ion-beam mediated tailoring of structural, optical, and electrical properties of ITO films. 2025. 59: p.105973.

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2025.105973

[44] Pawar, P., et al., Ion Beam Processing: A Brief Review. 2025: pp.349-375.

[45] Singh, J., K. Sahu, and S.J.C.I. Mohapatra, Ion beam engineering of morphological, structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of Ag-TiO2-PVA nanocomposite thin film. 2019. 45(6): pp.7976-7983.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.01.111

[46] Kumar, R. and V.J.O.M. Kumar, Effect of high energy Ti9+ ion beam induced modifications in titanium dioxide and tin oxide nanocomposite thin films and detailed analysis of optical, structural and morphological properties. 2019. 88: pp.320-332.

DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2018.11.040

[47] Taudul, B., F. Tielens, and M.J.N. Calatayud, On the origin of raman activity in anatase TiO2 (nano) materials: an ab initio investigation of surface and size effects. 2023. 13(12): p.1856.

DOI: 10.3390/nano13121856

[48] Wang, W., et al., Synthesis of CuO nano-and micro-structures and their Raman spectroscopic studies. 2010. 12(7): pp.2232-2237.

[49] Zhang, R., et al., Electrochemical route to the preparation of highly dispersed composites of ZnO/carbon nanotubes with significantly enhanced electrochemiluminescence from ZnO. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 2008. 18(41): pp.4964-4970.

DOI: 10.1039/b808769e

[50] Djurišić, A.B. and Y.H. Leung, Optical properties of ZnO nanostructures. small, 2006. 2(8‐9): pp.944-961.

DOI: 10.1002/smll.200600134

[51] Kumar, N., et al., Structural and optical properties of sol–gel derived CuO and Cu2O nanoparticles. Materials Today: Proceedings, 2021. 41: pp.237-241.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2020.08.800

[52] Kumar, N., et al., Structural and optical properties of sol–gel derived CuO and Cu2O nanoparticles. Development, 2020. 2214: p.7853.

[53] Nabi, G., et al., Role of cerium-doping in CoFe2O4 electrodes for high performance supercapacitors. Journal of Energy Storage, 2020. 29: p.101452.

DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2020.101452

[54] Pal, M., et al., Effects of crystallization and dopant concentration on the emission behavior of TiO 2: Eu nanophosphors. Nanoscale research letters, 2012. 7: pp.1-12.

DOI: 10.1186/1556-276x-7-1

[55] Van Dijken, A., et al., Identification of the transition responsible for the visible emission in ZnO using quantum size effects. Journal of Luminescence, 2000. 90(3-4): pp.123-128.

DOI: 10.1016/s0022-2313(99)00599-2

[56] Mishra, V., et al., Investigation of temperature-dependent optical properties of TiO 2 using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. SN Applied Sciences, 2019. 1: pp.1-8.

[57] Sangiorgi, N., et al., Spectrophotometric method for optical band gap and electronic transitions determination of semiconductor materials. Optical Materials, 2017. 64: pp.18-25.

DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2016.11.014

[58] Dashora, A., et al., Formation of an intermediate band in the energy gap of TiO2 by Cu–N-codoping: First principles study and experimental evidence. Solar energy materials and solar cells, 2014. 125: pp.120-126.

DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2014.02.032

[59] Eng, H.W., et al., Investigations of the electronic structure of d0 transition metal oxides belonging to the perovskite family. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 2003. 175(1): pp.94-109.

DOI: 10.1016/s0022-4596(03)00289-5

[60] Joshi, G., et al., Band gap determination of Ni-Zn ferrites. Bulletin of Materials Science, 2003. 26: pp.387-389.

DOI: 10.1007/bf02711181

[61] Murphy, A., Band-gap determination from diffuse reflectance measurements of semiconductor films, and application to photoelectrochemical water-splitting. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2007. 91(14): pp.1326-1337.

DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2007.05.005

[62] Ahmad, T., et al., Solvothermal synthesis, optical and magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Cd1− xMnxO (0.04< x= 0.10) solid solutions. Journal of alloys and compounds, 2013. 558: pp.117-124.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2012.12.159

[63] Sharma, S.K., et al., Dependence of band gap on deposition parameters in CdSe sintered films. Chalcogenide Letters, 2008. 5(4): pp.73-78.

[64] Torrent, J. and V. Barrón, Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Methods of Soil Analysis Part 5—Mineralogical Methods, 2008. 5: pp.367-385.

DOI: 10.2136/sssabookser5.5.c13

[65] Kortüm, G., W. Braun, and G. Herzog, Principles and techniques of diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy. Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English, 1963. 2(7): pp.333-341.

DOI: 10.1002/anie.196303331

[66] Senthil, K., et al., Argon and nitrogen implantation effects on the structural and optical properties of vacuum evaporated cadmium sulphide thin films. Semiconductor science and technology, 2002. 17(2): p.97.

DOI: 10.1088/0268-1242/17/2/302

[67] El-Sayed, S., Electron beam and gamma irradiation effects on amorphous chalcogenide SbSe2. 5 films. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2004. 225(4): pp.535-543.

DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2004.05.033

[68] Chandramohan, S., et al., Swift heavy ion beam irradiation induced modifications in structural, morphological and optical properties of CdS thin films. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 2007. 254(2): pp.236-242.

DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2006.11.041

[69] Mohanta, D., N. Mishra, and A. Choudhury, SHI-induced grain growth and grain fragmentation effects in polymer-embedded CdS quantum dot systems. Materials Letters, 2004. 58(29): pp.3694-3699.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2004.06.061

[70] Chowdhury, S., et al., Effect of 160 MeV Ni12+ ion irradiation on PbS quantum dots. Journal of luminescence, 2005. 114(2): pp.95-100.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2004.12.006

[71] Kamboj, M.S., et al., Effect of heavy ion irradiation on the electrical and optical properties of amorphous chalcogenide thin films. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 2002. 35(5): p.477.

DOI: 10.1088/0022-3727/35/5/310

[72] Koley, S., Theoretical Framework of Novel Oxide Compounds for Visible Range Light-Emitting Devices, in Using Computational Intelligence for Sustainable Manufacturing of Advanced Materials. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. pp.589-618.

DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-7974-5.ch025