XPS spectral analysis of graphitic carbon nitride-metal ferrite nanocomposites

The growing attention on sustainable development has driven the design and fabrication of low-cost, environmentally friendly, and catalytically active multifunctional materials for real-world end-uses. In this context, the present work focuses on nanocomposite specimens based on graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) and highly dispersed CuFe2O4/NiFe2O4 nanoaggregates. The target systems, obtained via electrophoretic deposition of gCN on carbon cloth substrates followed by functionalization with ternary oxides by means of radio frequency-sputtering, have been subjected to a detailed x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The present contribution comprises both wide-scan spectra and high-resolution C 1s, N 1s, O 1s, Cu 2p, Ni 2p, and Fe 2p core level peaks. The data presented and discussed herein offer a thorough picture on the chemical features of the target materials, of key importance for their eventual photo/electrocatalytic applications in pollutant degradation and clean energy production.