Metal oxide nanoparticles are an important class of nanomaterials that have found several applications in science and technology.

A single-step protocol to prepare Cu2O and CuO nanocrystalline particles from the same precursor by microwave irradiation has been developed using the pH of the solution as the only variable parameter. The utility of different bivalent Cu-precursors for synthesis of CuO and Cu2O nanoparticles was also investigated. The morphology, phase purity, and optical properties of these nanoparticles were analyzed using TEM, SEM, XRD, and optical spectroscopy. The band edges were determined using cyclic voltammetry. Field effect transistors based on CuO nanoparticles showed a hole mobility of 3.5 × 10–2 cm2 V–1 s–1, making them a suitable candidate for energy-related applications. The effect of hydrazine vapor exposure on the IV-characteristics of CuO nanoparticles was also investigated. This revealed a decrease in source current with respect to time.

CuOx‐TiO2 (CT) composites were prepared by different methods (impregnation, microwave and photodeposition methods) and evaluated for solar water splitting (SWS) with aqueous methanol. CT composites prepared by three different methods were characterized by relevant methods to understand the correlation between synthesis method and activity, and the mechanism of water splitting. A comparison of photocatalytic activity of CT composite materials indicates that the photocatalyst prepared by photodeposition method shows significantly improved activity for hydrogen production from aqueous methanol as well as with water (overall water splitting) under one sun conditions. Cu is present in Cu/Cu+1 form in photodeposition method prepared CT, which is more effective and helpful for solar light absorption as well as charge carrier separation due to the formation of bulk p‐n (Cu2O‐TiO2) heterojunctions. However, CuO formation seems to decrease the activity with other preparation methods.

P(NDI2OD-T2), also known as Polyera ActivInk N2200, was synthesized by the atom-economic Direct Hetero Arylation Polymerization (DHAP) route using a newly designed A-B-A monomer. The new monomer design involved flanking...