AACVD system and protocol to fabricate CuO and Co₃O₄ nanostructured coatings for application as selective absorbent...

In the present work, an aerosol-assisted CVD (AACVD) system is described, together with a representative example of the synthesis of nanostructured coatings, which is an attractive alternative to being implemented at the industrial level. The semi-automated AACVD system synthesizes thin films or coatings of nanostructured materials, mainly metal oxides, and noble metals. Its main components, as well as its operation, are presented here. This simple AACVD method makes it possible to produce the coatings at relatively low temperatures and in a single step. Finally, the synthesis of CuO and Co₃O₄ nanostructured coatings deposited on stainless steel substrates is reported, which are excellent candidates for use as selective absorbent materials. The CuO and Co₃O₄ coatings present high quality and purity; no further thermal treatments are required to obtain the pure and crystalline phases. The main highlights of the proposed method are as follows: a)An AACVD System for depositing thin films and coatings designed and entirely fabricated at the Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S.C.b)A low temperature (350 °C) synthesis protocol to obtain CuO and Co₃O₄ nanostructured coatings on stainless steel substrates.c)The CuO and Co₃O₄ coatings presented the optimum characteristics to be considered selective absorbent materials.