Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Dr. Krishnan Rajeshwar
Second Advisor
Dr. Kevin A. Schug
Third Advisor
Dr. Saiful M. Chowdhury
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Daniel W. Armstrong
Fifth Advisor
Dr. Frederick M. MacDonnell
Abstract
This dissertation explores the strategic design and development of copper-based metal oxide semiconductors for photoelectrochemical (PEC) and optoelectronic applications, with a focus on advancing materials for sustainable energy technologies. Through a comprehensive investigation into copper vanadates and copper oxides, the work aims to understand and enhance charge transport, light-harvesting capabilities, and electronic structure modulation. The research integrates fundamental materials chemistry with applied photoelectrochemical studies to uncover the role of copper's d-electrons in mid-gap state formation, multifunctionality through electronic structure tuning, and the development of low-temperature transparent conductive oxides.
In chapter 2, we have discussed the attributes of copper metavanadate (CuV2O6), towards photoelectrochemical water oxidation by comparing it with the compositions where copper is substituted with magnesium, i.e., Mg1-xCuxV2O6. We have developed and characterized Mg1-xCuxV2O6 solid solution to understand the photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance. This research study explains the role of d-electrons for the formation of mid-gap states, enhancing the water oxidation performance for copper-rich compositions.
Tuning of the opto-electronic activity to mediate between radiative and non-radiative processes in a particular composition is studied in Chapter 3. Copper alloying was done in alkaline earth metal pyrovanadates (A2V2O7) to tune the photoluminescence (PL) signal into a photoelectrochemical (PEC) response. This study aims to bring dual functionalities into one system to develop advanced energy materials. Stable oxides with smart generation material attributes are highly desired for future research. These multifunctional materials not only promise enhanced charge transport and light-harvesting capabilities but also enable tailored electronic structures for selective energy conversion processes.
In chapter 4, low-temperature copper oxide-based transparent conductive oxide (TCO) was studied. The low-temperature scalable synthesis makes it commercially competitive, and its application on flexible substrates, such as in wearable technologies. The study also clears the ambiguous results published by other researchers regarding the conducting nature of the developed oxide material.
Keywords
Energy materials, Semiconductors, Alloying, Optoelectronics
Disciplines
Inorganic Chemistry | Materials Chemistry
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Rawat, Abhishek, "COPPER-BASED OXIDE SEMICONDUCTORS: TRANSPARENT CONDUCTORS AND TERNARY ALLOYS" (2025). Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations. 290.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/chemistry_dissertations/290