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.