title: Thin films that consist of CuO mesocrystal nanosheets: an application of microbial-mineralization-inspired approaches to thin-film formation.
abstract: Thin films of copper oxides can be synthesized on substrates by using approaches that are inspired by microbial mineralization processes. In nature, precipitates of manganese and iron oxides with controlled oxidation states and crystal phases are produced through biomineralization by microorganisms. We have previously reported microbial-mineralization-inspired approaches that are comprised of direct and intermediate routes for the controlled syntheses of transition-metal oxides. Herein, these approaches are applied to the thin-film formation and coating of copper oxides and a related compound with controlled crystal phases and morphologies. Thin films of CuO, Cu2O, and Cu2(OH)3Cl were selectively synthesized by using direct or intermediate routes. Notably, CuO mesocrystal nanosheets formed a thin film over the whole of the substrate. The resultant CuO mesocrystal nanosheets showed enhanced properties for the electrochemical detection of dopamine. This study shows the potential applicability of microbial-mineralization-inspired approaches to thin-film coatings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Yuya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oaki
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imai
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004566:Electrodes; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; C000520:cuprous oxide; D004298:Dopamine
keywords: copper oxides; crystal growth; mesocrystals; nanostructures; thin films