Redox Reactions in a Layer of Adsorbed Cu(II) and Fe(II) Ions and Synthesis of 2D CuFeO₂ Ultrathin Nanosheets by Successive Ionic Layer Deposition

The 2D CuFeO₂·H₂O nanocrystals with a nanosheet morphology were obtained for the first time by successive ionic layer deposition (SILD) from solutions of the Mohr salt and copper(II) ammonium complex at room temperature. The SILD modification leads to a change in silicon surface wetting angles. Based on the experimental data obtained, schemes of chemical reactions occurring on the substrate surface during treatment with each of the reagents were constructed. The contact angle of a water drop on a silicon surface depends significantly on the SILD cycles number. When the number of SILD cycles changes from 2 to 15, the contact angles change from 63 to 3 degrees. The last value indicates the achievement of the surface superhydrophilicity.