NSYSU achieves a breakthrough in 2D multifunctional sensing films, publishing in the renowned international journal

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NSYSU achieves a breakthrough in 2D multifunctional sensing films, publishing in the renowned international journal

Assistant Professor Phuong V. Pham of the Department of Physics at NSYSU, with his team members (PhD student Muhammad H. Nawaz, Dr. Santhoshkumar, and Dr. Balamurugan), lead hands-on experimental research in the lab.Image — Assistant Professor Phuong V. Pham of the Department of Physics at NSYSU, with his team members (PhD student Muhammad H. Nawaz, Dr. Santhoshkumar, and Dr. Balamurugan), lead hands-on experimental research in the lab.

Experimental and computational study of advanced coalescent 2D heterostructure.Image — Experimental and computational study of advanced coalescent 2D heterostructure.

Optical and structural characterization of CuO, GO, and CuO@GO showing laser illuminated dispersions, color variations on glass and ITO substrates, UV–visible transmission, and TEM, SAED, dark-field, and HRTEM analyses.Image — Optical and structural characterization of CuO, GO, and CuO@GO showing laser illuminated dispersions, color variations on glass and ITO substrates, UV–visible transmission, and TEM, SAED, dark-field, and HRTEM analyses.

Comprehensive assessment of CuO, GO, and CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass and bare glass, showing by FTIR spectra, Raman defects, XRD crystallinity, AFM surface mapping, and SEM thickness measurement.Image — Comprehensive assessment of CuO, GO, and CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass and bare glass, showing by FTIR spectra, Raman defects, XRD crystallinity, AFM surface mapping, and SEM thickness measurement.

Estimation of band gaps and electronic structure of CuO, GO, and CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass and bare glass using Tauc's plots, heterostructure band diagram, and XPS deconvoluted spectra.Image — Estimation of band gaps and electronic structure of CuO, GO, and CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass and bare glass using Tauc's plots, heterostructure band diagram, and XPS deconvoluted spectra.

Charge transport and work function analysis of CuO, GO, and CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass and bare glass, including photoluminescence, sheet resistance, transmittance, Hall mobility, I–V characteristics, UPS measurements, and comparison with literature.Image — Charge transport and work function analysis of CuO, GO, and CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass and bare glass, including photoluminescence, sheet resistance, transmittance, Hall mobility, I–V characteristics, UPS measurements, and comparison with literature.

SERS and electrochemical characterization of CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass, showing MB detection, concentration-dependent SERS responses, reproducibility, enhancement mechanisms, and DPV-based HQ and ACP quantification.Image — SERS and electrochemical characterization of CuO@rGO/ITO-coated glass, showing MB detection, concentration-dependent SERS responses, reproducibility, enhancement mechanisms, and DPV-based HQ and ACP quantification.

2025-10-11

National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) has reported a major advancement in nanotechnology. The latest research, led by Assistant Professor Phuong V. Pham of the Department of Physics at NSYSU, demonstrates a transparent and flexible 2D coalescent heterostructure (CuO@rGO/ITO) capable of highly sensitive dual-mode chemical detection. The platform integrates optical (Raman) and electrochemical sensing in a single film, offering potential applications in electronics, environmental monitoring, and wearable health technologies. The study was published in the renowned international journal Chemical Engineering Journal.

Assistant Professor Phuong V. Pham pointed out that compared with earlier sensor and transparent-film technologies, this study presents several breakthroughs. Previous materials often suffered from low sensitivity, weak signal strength, or complicated fabrication processes. The CuO@rGO/ITO heterostructure overcomes these limitations by integrating multiple sensing functions into a single uniform film. It provides strong signal amplification, long-term stability, and improved environmental durability. These features support the development of lighter, more flexible, and more accurate devices, including portable detectors for water safety, wearable health monitors, and smart screens capable of chemical sensing.

Pham emphasized a visualization method he developed to explain the precision required in manipulating ultrathin materials. The work illustrates how controlled assembly of CuO nanoparticles with reduced graphene oxide on an ITO substrate results in improved optical and electrochemical responses. By establishing stable and defect-free interfaces, the research advances the understanding of 2D material interactions and supports the development of next-generation sensing systems for environmental, medical, and smart-electronic applications.

The study highlights the industrial relevance of next-generation 2D materials, especially their capacity for incorporation into multifunctional electronic and sensing devices. The demonstrated material combines electrical conductivity, transparency, durability, and environmental stability, enabling possible use in smartphones, health wearables, smart textiles, and everyday environmental sensors. The research aligns with global efforts to develop high-quality, scalable 2D films for advanced device integration.

Future research based on this platform will focus on scaling up production of high-quality films, expanding the combinations of 2D materials for improved multifunctional performance, and enhancing stability for use in flexible or transparent electronics. Possible applications include energy-related devices such as smart solar cells or self-powered sensors, as well as advanced medical diagnostics integrated into skin-contact systems or textiles.

Members of the multinational research team also include Muhammad H. Nawaz, a doctoral student from the Department of Physics at NSYSU, and the top world scientists include Profs. Feng-Chuan Chuang, Kin-Man Yu, Shiu-Ming Huang, Li-Wei Tu, Hung-Duen Yang (Department of Physics, NSYSU, Taiwan), Profs. Wei-Lung Tseng, Po-Ling Chang (Department of Chemistry, NSYSU, Taiwan), Prof. Trung Nguyen-Thoi, Dr. Ho Huynh Thi, Dr. Vu Van Tuan (Laboratory for Computational Physics, Institute for Computational Science and Artificial Intelligence, Van Lang University, Vietnam), Profs. Ahmed F. M. EL-Mahdy, Shiao-Wei Kuo, Dr. Mohammed Gamal Mohammed, Dr. Mohamed G. Kotp (Materials and Optoelectronic Science, NSYSU, Taiwan).

Chemical Engineering Journal is the world's top authoritative journal, and its 2024 Journal Impact Factor is 13.2. According to the Journal Impact Factor, it ranks 3rd among 83 journals (Top 3.6%) in the category of Engineering-Environment. According to the Journal Citation Indicator, it ranks 4th among 83 (Top 4.8%) in the category of Engineering-Environment.

Article Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894725123681?via%3Dihub

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