Influence of synthesis conditions on the structural, optical, and electrophysical properties of TiO$_2$/Cu$_x$O nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on anodic titanium oxide nanotubes with copper oxide nanoparticles were formed and their structural, optical, and electrophysical properties were studied. Defects in the structure of the samples were identified by electron paramagnetic resonance and it was shown that, as a result of copper oxide deposition, CuO nanoparticles were formed on the surface of nanotubes. It was found that the conductivity of the structure decreases by several orders of magnitude with an increase in the number of deposition cycles. It was shown that this effect could be associated with the formation of TiO$_2$/CuO heterojunctions on the nanotube surface. It was shown for the first time that an increase in the content of copper oxide in TiO$_2$/Cu$_x$O nanocomposites was accompanied by a decrease in conductivity and an increase in the number of defects.