Plasma processing of nanomaterials: emerging technologies for sensing and energy applications

Plasma processing represents an attractive and versatile option for the fabrication of low-dimensional nanomaterials, whose chemical and physical properties can be conveniently tailored for the development of advanced technologies. In particular, Plasma Enhanced-Chemical Vapor Deposition (PE-CVD) is an appealing route to multi-functional oxide nanoarchitectures under relatively mild conditions, owing to the unique features and activation mechanisms of non-equilibrium plasmas. In this context, the potential of plasma-assisted fabrication in advanced nanosystem development is discussed. After a brief introduction on the basic categories of plasma approaches, the perspectives of application to CVD processes are commented, reporting on the growth and characterization of Co3O4 nanomaterials as a case study. Besides examining the interrelations between the material properties and the synthesis conditions, special focus is given to their emerging applications as catalysts for photo-assisted hydrogen production and solid state gas sensors.