Laser-assisted synthesis of carbon coatings with cobalt oxide nanoparticles embedded in gradient of composition and sizes

We report on a new laser-assisted method for the synthesis of composite coatings consisting cobalt oxide-embedded porous carbon with gradient composition and sizes. Uniform thin films containing oxide nanoparticles (CoO NPs) various concentrations sizes are obtained by Combinatorial Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (C-MAPLE) followed post-annealing treatment. Specifically, simultaneous pulsed laser irradiation two concentric cryogenic targets was applied assembling solid substrates. Both contained environmentally friendly phloroglucinol/glyoxylic acid organic precursors template dissolved in an ethanol-chloroform mixture, whereas one them enclosed, addition, nitrate salt. Due to angular dispersion crossing vapor plumes during co-deposition process, polymeric nanocoatings Co salt were obtained. After subsequent thermal annealing treatment samples at 600 °C, mesoporous exhibiting CoO NPs distribution then directly onto Carbon matrix formation supported EDX analyses characteristic D, G 2D bands present Raman spectra. concentration varied from 3 32 wt% substrates minimum furthest interaction point plume substrate, while significantly decreased 91 63 wt%. Oxygen amount relatively constant about 6 all coatings. The homogenously dispersed tendency aggregation is observed high loadings. In size ranged 8 nm correlating concentration.