Maria Manuela Carvalho Proença

Bio: Maria Manuela Carvalho Proença is an academic researcher from University of Minho. The author has contributed to research in topics: Surface plasmon resonance & Nanoparticle. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 5 publications receiving 89 citations.

Nanoplasmonic response of porous Au-TiO2 thin films prepared by oblique angle deposition

Abstract: This research was sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013; project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016902, with FCT reference PTDC/FIS-NAN/1154/2014; and project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032299, with FCT reference PTDC/FIS-MAC/32299/2017. This work was also developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2019, financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES. Manuela Proenca acknowledges her PhD grant from FCT, with reference SFRH/BD/137076/2018. Joel Borges acknowledges FCT for his Post-Doc grant SFRH/BPD/117010/2016. Marco S Rodrigues acknowledges FCT for his PhD grant with reference SFRH/BD/118684/2016. Konstantin Romanyuk wish to thank the Portuguese FCT for the financial support (grant SFRH/BPD/88362/2012).

Development of Au/CuO nanoplasmonic thin films for sensing applications

Abstract: Nanocomposite thin films, containing Au nanoparticles dispersed in a CuO matrix, were prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering and post-deposition thermal annealing. The CuO matrix was found to be stoichiometric and the atomic concentration of Au was determined to be about 12.3 at.%. After the annealing process, the average size of the crystalline domains of the Au nanoparticles (fcc structure) increased from about 6 nm (at an annealing temperature of 300 °C) to approximately 13 nm (after annealing at 800 °C), with a progressive crystallization of the CuO matrix in the monoclinic structure. A nanoplasmonic effect due to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon appeared in the films after annealing temperatures of 400 °C and higher. The correspondent LSPR bands appeared in the visible range of the transmittance spectra, becoming progressively narrower. Angle Resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy results indicated that the surface of Au/CuO nanocomposite thin film is contaminated with a sub-nanometric layer (~ 0.6 nm) of hydrocarbons and that the Au nanoparticles are relatively homogenously dispersed inside the CuO dielectric matrix. Furthermore, the results seem also to indicate that the Au nanoparticles are covered with about 0.2 nm of CuO. Although further studies need to be performed to make clear the particular features of the present nanocomposite thin films' system, this work shows promising results concerning some particular applications that are envisaged, namely their use as LSPR sensing platforms for particular molecules detection (e.g. gases).

Thin films of Ag–Au nanoparticles dispersed in TiO2: influence of composition and microstructure on the LSPR and SERS responses

Abstract: CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico(CFUM-BI-23/2016-UID/ FIS/04650/2013)

The Use of Copper Oxide Thin Films in Gas-Sensing Applications

Abstract: In this work, the latest achievements in the field of copper oxide thin film gas sensors are presented and discussed. Several methods and deposition techniques are shown with their advantages and disadvantages for commercial applications. Recently, CuO thin film gas sensors have been studied to detect various compounds, such as: nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, as well as several volatile organic compounds in many different applications, e.g., agriculture. The CuO thin film gas sensors exhibited high 3-S parameters (sensitivity, selectivity, and stability). Furthermore, the possibility to function at room temperature with long-term stability was proven as well, which makes this material very attractive in gas-sensing applications, including exhaled breath analysis.

Plasmonic enhanced Au decorated TiO2 nanotube arrays as a visible light active catalyst towards photocatalytic CO2 conversion to CH4

Abstract: To boost up the plasmonic metal-nanotube junction effect under visible light irradiation, a simplistic electrochemical deposition synthesis method has been employed to decorate the Au nanoparticles in the nanotubes (TNTs). A photocatalytic experiment for the conversion of CO2 has been conducted to justify the visible light effectivity of the Au-TNTs. The decoration of Au nanoparticles into the TNTs was explored by the morphological analysis which revealed well-arranged, well-ordered and stable Au modified nanotubes. The prepared Au-TNTs light harvesting properties investigated through UV–vis absorption spectra which reveals its visible light absorption capability owing to its LSPR behaviour. Improved charge carrier separation of plasmonic Au loaded TNTs was explored through PL analysis. Hence, the photocatalytic activity of TNTs and Au-TNTs obtained through CO2 conversion to CH4 and the total amount of CH4 production are 8.26% and 14.67%, respectively. Therefore, this study provides a simple path to modify the TNTs with Au with a trouble-free and controllable deposition method in order to increase visible light active catalytic properties. Moreover, the one-dimensional nanotube arrays semiconductor with the integration of plasmonic metal was attained a further visible light enhanced activity towards photocatalytic CO2 conversion.