PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Salvatore, Danielle A.
AU  - Dettelbach, Kevan E.
AU  - Hudkins, Jesse R.
AU  - Berlinguette, Curtis P.
TI  - Near-infrared–driven decomposition of metal precursors yields amorphous electrocatalytic films
AID  - 10.1126/sciadv.1400215
DP  - 2015 Mar 01
TA  - Science Advances
PG  - e1400215
VI  - 1
IP  - 2
4099  - http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/2/e1400215.short
4100  - http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/2/e1400215.full
SO  - Sci Adv2015 Mar 01; 1
AB  - Amorphous metal-based films lacking long-range atomic order have found utility in applications ranging from electronics applications to heterogeneous catalysis. Notwithstanding, there is a limited set of fabrication methods available for making amorphous films, particularly in the absence of a conducting substrate. We introduce herein a scalable preparative method for accessing oxidized and reduced phases of amorphous films that involves the efficient decomposition of molecular precursors, including simple metal salts, by exposure to near-infrared (NIR) radiation. The NIR-driven decomposition process provides sufficient localized heating to trigger the liberation of the ligand from solution-deposited precursors on substrates, but insufficient thermal energy to form crystalline phases. This method provides access to state-of-the-art electrocatalyst films, as demonstrated herein for the electrolysis of water, and extends the scope of usable substrates to include nonconducting and temperature-sensitive platforms.