To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Nanoscience. Nanoparticles. Nanostructured materials.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Nanoscience. Nanoparticles. Nanostructured materials'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Nanoscience. Nanoparticles. Nanostructured materials.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Snyder, Brian. "An investigation into bimetallic hollow nanoparticles in catalysis." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/47614.
Full textAbstract:
Nanocatalysis, catalysis using particles on the nanoscale, is an emerging field that has tremendous potential. Nanoparticles have different properties than bulk material and can be used in different roles. Macro sized precious metals, for example, are inert, but nanoparticles of them are becoming more widely used as catalysts. Understanding the manner in which these particles work is vital to improving their efficacy.
This thesis focuses on two aspects of nanocatalysis. Chapter 1 begins with a brief introduction into nanotechnology and some of the areas in which nanoparticles are different than bulk particles. It then proceeds into an overview of catalysis and nanocatalysis more specifically. Focus is brought to the definitions of the different types of catalysis and how those definitions differ when applied to nanoparticles. Chapter 2 is in finding an inert support structure to more easily assist in recycling the nanoparticles. Polystyrene microspheres were studied and found to prevent platinum nanoparticles from aggregating in solution and possibly aid in recycling of the nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were used in catalysis, aiding in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride. While the rate decreased by a factor of ~ 7 when using the polystyrene, the activation energy of the reaction was unaltered, thus confirming the inactivity of the polystyrene in the reaction.
In Chapter 3, nanocatalysis was studied by examining bimetallic hollow nanoparticles with specific attention to the effect of altering the ratios of the two metals. Ten different bimetallic nanocages were tested in an electron transfer reaction between hexacyanoferrate and thiosulfate. Five PtAg nanocages and five PdAg with varying metal ratios were prepared and studied. It was found that while silver cubes immediately precipitate out of solution when combined with thiosulfate, a small amount of either platinum or palladium allows the particles to remain in solution and function as a substantially more effective catalyst. However, as additional Pt was added the activation energy increased. To obtain a better understanding of the catalysis using bimetallic cages, the evolution of these cages was studied as the 2nd metal was added. Initially the particle edge length increased and then slowly decreased back to the size of the template cubes. The increase in edge length suggests of addition of material to the nanoparticles. This indicated the 2nd metal is on the outside of the cage, which was confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy and EDS mapping. By understanding how these bimetallic particles evolve, we may be able to manipulate these synthetic methods to more precisely design nanoparticles for catalysis.
2
Chiu, Sheng-Kuei. "Photoluminescent Silicon Nanoparticles: Fluorescent Cellular Imaging Applications and Photoluminescence (PL) Behavior Study." PDXScholar, 2015. http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/2455.
Full textAbstract:
Molecular fluorophores and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have been used as cellular imaging agents for biomedical research, but each class has challenges associated with their use, including poor photostability or toxicity. Silicon is a semiconductor material that is inexpensive and relatively environmental benign in comparison to heavy metal-containing quantum dots. Thus, red-emitting silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) are desirable to prepare for cellular imaging application to be used in place of more toxic QDs. However, Si NPs currently suffer poorly understood photoinstability, and furthermore, the origin of the PL remains under debate.
This dissertation first describes the use of diatomaceous earth as a new precursor for the synthesis of photoluminescent Si NPs. Second, the stabilization of red PL from Si NPs in aqueous solution via micellar encapsulation is reported. Thirdly, red to blue PL conversion of decane-terminated Si NPs in alcohol dispersions is described and the origins (i.e., color centers) of the emission events were studied with a comprehensive characterization suite including FT-IR, UV-vis, photoluminescence excitation, and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopies in order to determine size or chemical changes underlying the PL color change. In this study, the red and blue PL was determined to result from intrinsic and surface states, respectively.
Lastly, we determined that the blue emission band assigned to a surface state can be introduced by base addition in originally red-emitting silicon nanoparticles, and that red PL can be restored by subsequent acid addition. This experimentally demonstrates blue PL is surface state related and can overcome the intrinsic state related excitonic recombination pathway in red PL event. Based on all the data collected and analyzed, we present a simple energy level diagram detailing the multiple origins of Si NP PL, which are related to both size and surface chemistry.
3
Radlinger, Christine Marie. "Investigation into Effects of Instability and Reactivity of Hydride-Passivated Silicon Nanoparticles on Interband Photoluminescence." PDXScholar, 2017. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3619.
Full textAbstract:
While silicon has long been utilized for its electronic properties, its use as an optical material has largely been limited due to the poor efficiency of interband transitions. However, discovery of visible photoluminescence (PL) from nanocrystalline silicon in 1990 triggered many ensuing research efforts to optimize PL from nanocrystalline silicon for optical applications. Currently, use of photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) is commercially limited by: 1) the instability of the energy and intensity of the PL, and 2) the low quantum yield of interband PL from Si NPs.
Herein, red-emitting, hydrogen-passivated silicon nanoparticles (H-Si NPs) were synthesized by thermally-induced disproportionation of a HSiCl3-derived (HSiO1.5)n polymer. The H-Si NPs produced by this method were then subjected to various chemical and physical environments to assess the long-term stability of the optical properties as a function of changing surface composition. This dissertation is intended to elucidate correlations between the reported PL instability and the observed changes in the Si NP surface chemistry over time and as a function of environment.
First, the stability of the H-Si NP surface at slightly elevated temperatures towards reactivity with a simple alkane was probed. The H-Si NPs were observed by FT-IR spectroscopy to undergo partial hydrosilylation upon heating in refluxing hexane, in addition to varying degrees of surface oxidation. The unexpected reactivity of the Si surface in n-hexane supports the unstable nature of the H-Si NP surface, and furthermore implicates the presence of highly-reactive Si radicals on the surfaces of the Si NPs. We propose that reaction of alkene impurities with the Si surface radicals is largely responsible for the observed surface alkylation. However, we also present an alternate mechanism by which Si surface radicals could react with alkanes to result in alkylation of the surface.
Next, the energy and intensity stability of the interband PL from H-Si NPs in the presence of a radical trap was probed. Upon addition of (2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-piperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO), the energy and intensity of the interband transition was observed to change over time, dependent on the reaction conditions. First, when the reaction occurred at 4ºC with minimal light exposure, the interband transition exhibited a gradual hypsochromic shift to between 595 nm and 655 nm, versus the λmax of the original low energy emission peak at 700 nm, depending on the amount of TEMPO in the sample. Second, when the reaction proceeded at room temperature with frequent exposure to 360 nm irradiation, the original interband transition at 660 nm was quenched while a new peak at 575 nm developed. Based on all the data collected and analyzed, we assign the 595 -- 655 nm transition as due to interband exciton recombination from Si NPs with reduced diameters relative to the original Si NPs. We furthermore assign the 575 nm transition as due to an oxide-related defect state resulting from rapid oxidation of photo-excited Si NPs.
4
Rafiei, Miandashti Ali. "Synthesis, Characterization, and Photothermal Study of Plasmonic Nanostructures using Luminescence Nanomaterials." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1553788360252461.
Full text
5
Hayden, Steven C. "Novel applications of nanotechnology in medicine and green energy." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/51927.
Full textAbstract:
The development of techniques for colloidal nanoparticle synthesis has allowed scientists to fabricate materials that can manipulate light on a scale that is small even compared to the wavelength of the light itself. This ability has led to the development of myriad and diverse applications of nanostructures in wide-ranging fields. This thesis focuses on the investigation and exploitation of nanoscale material properties in the fields of medicine and energy. The unique optical properties of nanoparticles arise from their size and their high surface area to volume ratios compared to bulk materials. As a result of this relationship, the surface characteristics of nanoparticles generally dominate their properties, whereas in bulk materials the surface atoms have very little bearing on the properties of the composite. Chapter 1 gives an introduction to nanoparticles and their optical properties, including a discussion of the plasmon resonance and the properties imbued upon nanoparticles possesing such a resonance as well as the applicability of these properties that will be explored in the subsequent chapters. Chapter 2 presents a study of the interaction of cationic, hydrophobic gold nanoparticles as probes to elucidate specific regions of interest on cell surfaces. The high imaging contrast of gold nanoparticles in electron microscopy allows for visual, macroscopic observation of the aggregation patterns formed by these nanoparticles on cell surfaces. Plasmon resonant coupling between proximal nanoparticles is exploited in order to monitor nanoprobe binding and localization over time with the use of extinction spectroscopy. The role of surface proteins in the nanoparticle-cell surface interaction is elucidated, generating composite data with relevance in pharmaceutical development and pharmacokinetics. Additionally, bacteria strain-dependent toxicity is observed and subsequently investigated for smaller gold nanoparticle probes, demonstrating a potential use for nanoparticles as strain-specific antibiotics. The development of affordable, effective antibiotic technology is one of the major scientific challenges of our time; infections from pathogen-infested drinking water alone account for millions of deaths each year worldwide. In Chapter 3, we investigate the use of titanium dioxide as an inexpensive method to harness solar energy to split water into reactive species and thereby decontamitate solutions of E. coli. Though titanium dioxide is an excellent catalyst for water splitting, it requires UV irradiation, which is fairly lacking in the solar emission spectrum. Further, recuperation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles from solution is non-trivial, and its immobilization into a film greatly limits its surface area and charge carrier efficiency, thereby limiting its activity. We treat both the poor visible light absorption capability as well as the surface area limitation in this study. CdS semiconductor nanocrystals are used to extend the absorption edge of TiO₂ further into the visible light region of the spectrum by providing for lower-energy photon absorption and charge injection into titanium dioxide. TiO₂ is also electrochemically anodized to generate TiO₂ nanotube arrays, which have greatly increased surface area as well as more efficient charge transfer properties compared to thin films of TiO₂ nanoparticles. The utility of nanoparticles in increasing the light absorption of other systems continues as a theme in the work presented in the next two chapters. Chapter 4 ex- amines the plasmonic enhancement of the solar energy conversion in a biomimetic system. In this endeavor, we enhance the photocurrent generated by a light-transducing, proton-pumping protein, bacteriorhodopsin, in a 3-dimensional wet electrochemical cell. First, we increase the overall charge carrier separation with the use of a proton- selective membrane in order to minimize ionic depolarization in the cell. We then use plasmonic nanoparticles to exploit an irregularity in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle known as the blue light effect. This effect shortens the timescale of the photocyle by more than 99% via blue photon absorption, but it has a very low natural occurrence. Plasmonic nanoparticles tuned to the blue wavelength region increase the flux of blue photons on a local level and thereby increase the overall photocurrent generation. We first examine the importance of nanoparticle field strength to photocurrent enhancement using silver nanospheres with different capping shell thicknesses. We then consider the trade-off between (1) using a nanoparticle with a plasmon resonance tuned perfectly to the blue wavelength region and (2) using a nanoparticle with a stronger field intensity but weaker energetic presence in the blue. By minimizing ionic depolarization, minimizing shielding of the plasmon electromagnetic field, and maximizing the field strength while maintaining the plasmon frequency at the proper wavelength, we demonstrate an enhancement of 5,000-fold in the photocurrent production by bacteriorhodopsin. Chapter 5 explores a variation on the theme of Chapter 4 with an application in cancer therapeutics. Here, a photodynamic cancer drug, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), is incorporated into complexes with silver nanospheres, gold nanospheres, and gold nanorods. Each of these nanoparticles displays a plasmon resonance in a different region of the spectrum, with consequent different overlap with the absorption or emission of the drug. Photodynamic therapeutic potential is measured in situ and in vivo, and the drug activity is shown to be strongest when drug absorption overlaps with plasmon resonance. Absorption by electronic excitations in the particle crystal lattice is shown to function as a competitive light filter and decrease drug activity. Additionally, the method of attachment of the drug to the nanoparticle is examined. Maximum enhancement of drug activity is shown to require the drug to remain bound close to the nanoparticle surface, where the electromagnetic field strength is highest. This plasmonic enhancement effect on drug activity is shown to outstrip the increase in drug activity seen when using the nanoparticle solely as a delivery platform. In Chapter 6, some synthetic techniques are presented for various nanomaterials. Included are syntheses for gold, silver, and semiconductor nanoparticles of a variety of shapes and sizes as well as for TiO₂ nanotube arrays. The relationship of the ratio of capping agent to metal salt is explored for gold nanospheres, and a method for facile tuning of the longitudinal plasmon resonance displayed by gold nanorods is presented. Synthetic techniques are also presented for the nanoparticles whose applications are explored in the preceding chapters.
6
Repa, Kristen Lee Stojak. "Confinement Effects and Magnetic Interactions in Magnetic Nanostructures." Scholar Commons, 2016. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6573.
Full textAbstract:
Multifunctional nanocomposites are promising for a variety of applications ranging from microwave devices to biomedicine. High demand exists for magnetically tunable nanocomposite materials. My thesis focuses on synthesis and characterization of novel nanomaterials such as polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with magnetic nanoparticle (NP) fillers.
Magnetite (Fe3O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) NPs with controlled shape, size, and crystallinity were successfully synthesized and used as PNC fillers in a commercial polymer provided by the Rogers Corporation and poly(vinylidene fluoride). Magnetic and microwave experiments were conducted under frequencies of 1-6 GHz in the presence of transverse external magnetic fields of up to 4.5 kOe. Experiments confirm strong magnetic field dependence across all samples. When incorporated in to a cavity resonator device, tangent losses were reduced, quality factor increased by 5.6 times, and tunability of the resonance frequency was demonstrated, regardless of NP-loading.
Work on PNC materials revealed the importance of NP interactions in confined spaces and motivated the study of confinement effects of magnetic NPs in more controlled environments, such as MWCNTs with varying diameters. MWCNTs were synthesized with diameters of 60 nm, 100 nm, 250 nm, and 450 nm to contain magnetic NP fillers (~10 nm) consisting of ferrites of the form MFe2O4, where M = Co2+, Ni2+, or Fe2+. All confined samples exhibit superparamagnetic-like behavior with stronger magnetic response with respect to increasing MWCNT diameter up to 250 nm due to the enhancement of interparticle interactions.
This thesis provides the first systematic study of this class of nanocomposites, which paves the way to inclusion of novel nanostructured materials in real-world applications.
7
Abeywickrama, Thulitha Madawa. "Metal-Organic Hybrid Nanocomposites For Energy Harvesting Applications." TopSCHOLAR®, 2016. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1748.
Full textAbstract:
Various synthetic methods have been developed to produce metal nanostructures including copper and iron nanostructures. Modification of nanoparticle surface to enhance their characteristic properties through surface functionalization with organic ligands ranging from small molecules to polymeric materials including organic semiconducting polymers is a key interest in nanoscience. However, most of the synthetic methods developed in the past depend widely on non-aqueous solvents, toxic reducing agents, and high temperature and high-pressure conditions. Therefore, to produce metal nanostructures and their nanocomposites with a simpler and greener method is indeed necessary and desirable for their nano-scale applications. Hence the objective of this thesis work is to develop an environmentally friendly synthesis method to make welldefined copper and iron nanostructures on a large-scale. The size and shape-dependent optical properties, solid-state crystal packing, and morphologies of nanostructures have been evaluated with respect to various experimental parameters.
Nanostructures of copper and iron were prepared by developing an aqueous phase chemical reduction method from copper(II) chloride and Fe(III) chloride hexahydrate upon reduction using a mild reducing agent, sodium borohydride, under an inert atmosphere at room temperature. Well-defined copper nanocubes with an average edge length of 100±35 nm and iron nanochains with an average chain length up to 1.70 μm were prepared. The effect of the molar ratios of each precursor to the reducing agent, reaction time, and addition rate of the reducing agent were also evaluated in order to develop an optimized synthesis method for synthesis of these nanostructures. UV-visible spectral traces and X-ray powder diffraction traces were obtained to confirm the successful preparation of both nanostructrues. The synthesis method developed here was further modified to make poly(3-hexylthiophene) coated iron nanocomposites by surface functionalization with poly(3-hexylthiophene) carboxylate anion. Since these nanostructrues and nanocomposites have the ability to disperse in both aqueous-based solvents and organic solvents, the synthesis method provides opportunities to apply these metal nanostructures on a variety of surfaces using solution based fabrication techniques such as spin coating and spray coating methods.
8
Popa, Adriana. "Study of the Effect of Nanostructuring on the Magnetic and Electrocatalytic Properties of Metals and Metal Oxides." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1427735465.
Full text
9
Mangili, Benoit C. "Numerical models of nanostructured materials : Nanoparticles self-assembly." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.500326.
Full text
10
Kariuki, Nancy N. "Nanostructured materials for electroanalytical applications." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2005.
Find full text
11
Wang, Lingyan. "Design and fabrication of functional nanomaterials with tunable electrical, optical, and magnetic properties." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2007.
Find full text
12
Johansson, Anders. "Template-Based fabrication of Nanostructured Materials." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala : Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-7364.
Full text
13
Varón, Izquierdo Miriam. "Synthesis of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Materials by Self-Assembly." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/96316.
Full textAbstract:
L’aparició de noves propietats químiques i físiques dins l’escala nanomètrica és un dels motius principals que fa necessari l’estudi de nanopartícules de diferents metalls, del seus òxids i dels seus aliatges, pel disseny de les seves futures aplicabilitats. Aquesta tesi estudia dos blocs temàtics: i) la síntesi i ii) l’autoensamblatge de nanopartícules metàl·liques.
En el primer bloc, s’estudien els aspectes més rellevants de la preparació de nanopartícules metàl·liques (constituïdes per un o dos metalls diferents) de mida i forma controlada. Es desenvolupa les síntesis de diferents partícules magnètiques, i s’obtenen dispersions col·loïdals de nanopartícules de cobalt (Co) i alguns del seus òxids, així com d’ or (Au), platí (Pt) i alguns dels seus aliatges.
Les nanopartícules de Co estan rebent un interès creixent degut a les propietats magnètiques que presenta el material, la qual cosa les fa molt interessants per a un nombre elevat d’aplicacions tecnològiques. Però la sensibilitat del material en front l’oxidació (la qual produeix canvis en les seves propietats magnètiques) requereix que es faci un estudi profund d’aquests processos. En aquest treball, s’han sintetitzat nanopartícules de Co de diferents mides i s’han estudiat els paràmetres que afecten les seves propietats magnètiques. A més, s’han estudiat els processos d’oxidació de les nanopartícules de Co, que han generat tant nanopartícules core/shell (nucli/recobriment) Co/CoO com nanopartícules “hollow” (buides) d’òxid de Co.
Les nanopartícules de Pt també són de gran interès degut a que presenten propietats òptiques i catalítiques úniques. Les seves propietats catalítiques depenen fortament dels seus àtoms superficials i, per tant, de la mida i de la forma de les nanopartícules. En aquesta tesi s’ha dut a terme la síntesi de nanopartícules de Pt de diferent mida i forma mitjançant el control de diferents paràmetres durant el procés sintètic (com la temperatura, els lligands i els temps de reacció). En particular, s’ha determinat la incorporació de traces metàl·liques durant la síntesis i el seu efecte en el control de la forma final de la nanopartícula.
Finalment, l’or es un dels materials més estudiats en l’escala nanomètrica degut a les seves propietats òptiques i el seu caràcter inert, que fa que sigui un dels materials més utilitzats en aplicacions biològiques. Les propietats òptiques són especialment importants en materials amb “aspect ratios” (relació longitud/amplada). En aquesta tesi s’han sintetitzat Au “rods” (barres) de gran llargada utilitzant nanopartícules de Pt com a catalitzador de la reacció, i se n’ha explorat la llargada que poden aconseguir, relacionades amb les seves possibles aplicacions.
En el segon bloc, s’estudia l’ús de les nanopartícules en la preparació de materials nanoestructurats mitjançant autoensamblatge. S’ha observat com depenent de la naturalesa i la forma de les nanopartícules, es creen diferents patrons. En particular, aquesta part es centra principalment en la utilització de nanopartícules de Co com a unitats de construcció de estructures autoensamblades, degut a les seves propietats magnètiques. S’ha estudiat l’autoensamblatge de nanopartícules de Co a sobre de diferents substrats d’interès tecnològic i les forces que intervenen en el procés. En particular, en destaquem: l’estudi de l’autoensamblatge de les partícules de Co sobre grafit i sobre substrats de silici.
Finalment, s’ha estudiat la influència de les propietats en el procés d’autoensamblatge de nanopartícules de Co, així com l’estructura magnètica dels assemblats, mitjançant holografia electrònica i microscopia Lorentz. S’ha estudiat la variació de l’estructura magnètica dels diferents assemblats en funció de la seva mida total, i també en funció de la temperatura. L’estudi de les propietats individuals de les nanopartícules de Co dins l’assemblat és possible mitjançant les dues tècniques mencionades prèviament, i s’han observat els efectes col·lectius entre totes les partícules integrants de les estructures. Els resultats obtinguts indiquen que l’ordenació ferromagnètica dipolar és molt persistent en les estructures, fins i tot amb un elevat grau de desordre a la xarxa de partícules.The emergence of new chemical and physical properties at the nanoscale is one of the main reasons that make necessary the study of nanoparticles of different metals, their oxides and alloys for different applications. In this thesis, two thematic blocks are studied: i) the synthesis and ii) the self- assembly of metallic nanoparticles. In the first block, the more relevant aspects in the preparation of metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles of controlled size and shape are studied. The syntheses of different metal nanoparticles are developed, and monodisperse colloidal suspensions of Co metal particles and some of their oxides, as well as Au, Pt and some alloy nanoparticles are obtained. Co particles are receiving much interest due to their magnetic properties of the material, which turn them interesting for a number of technological applications. On the other hand, the sensitivity of the material to oxidation (with a consequent change in its properties) makes necessary a deeper study of these processes. In this work, Co magnetic nanoparticles of different sizes have been synthesized and the parameters that affect the variation of their magnetic properties have been studied. Moreover, the oxidation processes of the Co nanoparticles have been also studied, generating both Co/CoO core/shell and CoO hollow nanoparticles. Pt nanoparticles are also a subject of interest due to their unique optical and catalytic properties. Their catalytic properties strongly depends on their surface atoms and, therefore, on the size and shape of the particles. During this thesis, different size and shape Pt nanoparticles have been synthesized by controlling different parameters during the synthetic process (i.e. temperature, surfactants, and reaction times). In particular, the incorporation of metal “traces” during the synthesis process, and their effect on the control of the shape are determined. Finally, Au is one of the most studied materials at the nanometer scale due to its optical properties and its inertness, making it one of the most used materials in biological applications. The optical properties are particularly important in materials with aspect ratios (length/width). In this thesis, the synthesis of extra long Au rods (bars) using Pt nanoparticles as the reaction catalyst have been synthesized, and the length that they can reach have been also explored for its potential applications (e.g. as connections between electrodes). In the second block, the use of nanoparticles for the preparation of nanostructured materials via self-assembly processes is studied. It is observed how, depending of both the nature and the shape of the nanoparticle, different patterns are created. In particular, this part focuses mainly on the use of Co nanoparticles as building block units for construction of self-assembled structures, due to their magnetic properties. The self-assembly of Co nanoparticles onto different substrates with technological interest and the forces involved in the process have been studied. Particularly, the works to be highlighted are the study of the self-assembly of Co on graphite and on silicon substrates due to dipolar interactions. Finally, the influence of the magnetic properties in the self-assembly process of Co nanoparticles, and the magnetic structure of the formed assemblies, are studied by electron holography and Lorentz microscopy. The variation of the magnetic structure of the different self-assembled structures has been studied as a function of both the assembly total size and the temperature. The study of the individual and collective behavior of the Co nanoparticles on the assembly is possible with these techniques, and collective effects among the whole NPs forming the structures have been observed. The obtained results showed that dipolar ferromagnetism order is extremely persistent even under a high degree of lattice disorder.
14
Ndungu, Patrick Gathura Bradley Jean-Claude. "The use of bipolar electrochemistry in nanoscience : contact free methods for the site selective modification of nanostructured carbon materials /." Philadelphia, Pa. : Drexel University, 2004. http://dspace.library.drexel.edu/handle/1860/275.
Full text
15
Shi, Jingyu. "Oxide nanoparticles and nanostructured coatings by wet chemical processing." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1148318139.
Full text
16
杨纯臻 and Chunzhen Yang. "Metal/metal oxide nanoparticles supported on nanostructured carbons for electrochemical applications." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/193414.
Full textAbstract:
Among various electrochemical devices that have been developed for energy storage and conversion, electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) have received much research attention. Nanostructured carbon materials have been playing an important role in the development of these devices, due to such characteristics as good electrical conductivity, high chemical stability, high surface area and large pore volumes and etc. In an EDLC, nanostructured carbon electrodes, possessing pores of varied length scales, can deliver electric energy at high current loadings. This kind of pore structure also benefits the deposition of metal catalysts and the transport of reactants and products in the methanol oxidation reaction.
In order to systematically study the structural effects on the electrochemical capacitance and ionic transport, a series of three-dimensional hierarchical carbons with hollow core-mesoporous shell (HCMS) structure were template-synthesized. Periodically ordered macroscopic hollow cores of 330 nm in diameter were surrounded by a mesoporous shell containing uniform pores of 3.9 nm. The shell thickness was stepwise increased from 0, 25, 50 to 100 nm. The HCMS structure was modeled by a 5-level transmission line model to study the capacitance contribution from the pores at different length scale. Results revealed that the HCMS carbon with thicker mesoporous shells can provide high capacitance, while thinner shells could deliver high power output.
A series of HCMS carbon sphere supported Pt nanoparticles were synthesized via the “Carbonization over Protected and Dispersed Metal” (CPDM) method. Contrary to the conventional “polyol” synthetic method, whereas most of Pt nanoparticles were deposited on the external surface of carbon spheres; the Pt nanoparticles synthesized via the CPDM method were found encapsulated in the mesoporous carbon shells and highly dispersed throughout the carbon texture. „Accelerated stress tests‟ (ASTs) were conducted to investigate the nanopores confinement effect toward the electrochemical stability of these Pt catalysts. Results revealed that (1) the nanopores confined Pt nanoparticles on HCMS carbon spheres exhibited a stable electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and catalytic activity; and (2) thick mesoporous carbon shells could provide better protection over the Pt nanoparticles. This “CPDM” method was further extended to synthesize highly alloyed PtRu nanoparticles supported electrocatalysts. It is expected that this CPDM method can also be applied to synthesize other metal/metal oxide supported catalysts with stable electrochemical performance.
WO3 has been demonstrated as a promsing co-catalyst for Pt in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The synthesis of Pt-WO3/C catalyst with well-controlled nanoparticle size (2.5 nm) and composition was achieved via a microwave-assisted water-oil microemulsion reaction. Hydrogen adsorption, CO-stripping and Cu- stripping methods were used to estimate the ECSA of Pt in the Pt-WO3/C catalysts. Among these, Cu-stripping method was relatively more reliable due to the overlapping involvement of the WO3 component in the other methods. The methanol oxidation measurement shows that a 1:1 Pt:W ratio catalyst exhibits the highest Pt-mass current density of 271 mA mg-1-Pt, 1.4 times higher than that of commercial E-TEK catalyst.published_or_final_version
Chemistry
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy
17
Xu, Chen Jie. "Biofunctional magnetic nanoparticles for protein separation with high specificity /." View abstract or full-text, 2004. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?CHEM%202004%20XU.
Full text
18
Maye, Mathew M. "Design, synthesis, and assembly of functional nanoarchitectures." Online access via UMI:, 2005.
Find full text
19
Gao, Jinhao. "Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles : design, synthesis, and applications /." View abstract or full-text, 2008. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?CHEM%202008%20GAO.
Full text
20
Fullem, Sharbani I. "Study of superspin-glass effect and superparamagnetic behavior in magnetite nanoparticles and gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2006.
Find full text
21
MANGADLAO, JOEY DACULA. "Multifunctional Materials from Nanostructured Graphene and Derivatives." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1448279230.
Full text
22
Zedan, Abdallah. "GRAPHENE-BASED SEMICONDUCTOR AND METALLIC NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS." VCU Scholars Compass, 2013. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/457.
Full textAbstract:
Exciting periods of scientific research are often associated with discoveries of novel materials. Such period was brought about by the successful preparation of graphene which is a 2D allotrope of carbon with remarkable electronic, optical and mechanical properties. Functional graphene-based nanocomposites have great promise for applications in various fields such as energy conversion, opteoelectronics, solar cells, sensing, catalysis and biomedicine. Herein, microwave and laser-assisted synthetic approaches were developed for decorating graphene with various semiconductor, metallic or magnetic nanostructures of controlled size and shape. We developed a scalable microwave irradiation method for the synthesis of graphene decorated with CdSe nanocrystals of controlled size, shape and crystalline structure. The efficient quenching of photoluminescence from the CdSe nanocrystals by graphene has been explored. The results provide a new approach for exploring the size-tunable optical properties of CdSe nanocrystals supported on graphene which could have important implications for energy conversion applications. We also extended this approach to the synthesis of Au-ceria-graphene nanocomposites. The synthesis is facilely conducted at mild conditions using ethylenediamine as a solvent. Results reveal significant CO conversion percentages between 60-70% at ambient temperatures. Au nanostructures have received significant attention because of the feasibility to tune their optical properties by changing size or shape. The coupling of the photothermal effects of these Au nanostructures of controlled size and shape with GO nanosheets dispersed in water is demonstrated. Our results indicate that the enhanced photothermal energy conversion of the Au-GO suspensions could to lead to a remarkable increase in the heating efficiency of the laser-induced melting and size reduction of Au nanostructures. The Au-graphene nanocomposites are potential materials for photothermolysis, thermochemical and thermomechanical applications. We developed a facile method for decorating graphene with magnetite nanocrystals of various shapes (namely, spheres, cubes and prisms) by the microwave-assisted-reduction of iron acetylacetonate in benzyl ether. The shape control was achieved by tuning the mole ratio between the oleic acid and the oleyamine. The structural, morphological and physical properties of graphene-based nanocomposites described herein were studied using standard characterization tools such as TEM, SEM, UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, XPS and Raman spectroscopy.
23
Giatti, Brandon. "Optical Properties of Nanostructured Dielectric Coatings." PDXScholar, 2014. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1940.
Full textAbstract:
Solar cells have extrinsic losses from a variety of sources which can be minimized by optimization of the design and fabrication processes. Reflection from the front surface is one such loss mechanism and has been managed in the past with the usage of planar antireflection coatings. While effective, these coatings are each limited to a single wavelength of light and do not account for varying incident angles of the incoming light source. Three-dimensional nanostructures have shown the ability to inhibit reflection for differing wavelengths and angles of incidence. Nanocones were modeled and show a broadband, multi-angled reflectance decrease due to an effective grading of the index.
Finite element models were created to simulate incident light on a zinc oxide nanocone textured silicon substrate. Zinc oxide is advantageous for its ease of production, benign nature, and refractive index matching to the air source region and silicon substrate. Reflectance plots were computed as functions of incident angle and wavelength of light and compared with planar and quintic refractive index profile models. The quintic profile model exhibits nearly optimum reflection minimization and is thus used as a benchmark. Physical quantities, including height, width, density, and orientation were varied in order to minimize the reflectance. A quasi-random nanocone unit cell was modeled to better mimic laboratory results. The model was comprised of 10 nanocones with differing structure and simulated a larger substrate by usage of periodic boundary conditions. The simulated reflectance shows approximately a 50 percent decrease when compared with a planar model. When a seed layer is added, simulating a layer of non-textured zinc oxide, on which the nanocones are grown, the reflectance shows a fourfold decrease when compared with planar models. At angles of incidence higher than 75 degrees, the nanocone model outperformed the quintic model.
24
Hu, Jing. "Fundamental investigation on removal and recovery of heavy metals from synthetic wastewater using magnetic nanoparticles /." View abstract or full-text, 2005. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?EVNG%202005%20HU.
Full text
25
Gu, Hongwei. "Synthesis & application of biofunctional nanostructures /." View abstract or full-text, 2004. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?CHEM%202004%20GU.
Full text
26
Mott, Derrick M. "Synthesis, characterization, and catalysis of metal nanoparticles." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2008.
Find full text
27
Omole, Marcells Apiyo. "Fabrication of nanostructured materials for environmental remediation and sensing." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2009.
Find full text
28
Shen, Jiong. "Application of nanoparticles in polymeric foams." Columbus, Ohio : Ohio State University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=osu1150139899.
Full text
29
Hong, Yan. "Encapsulated nanostructured phase change materials for thermal management." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2011. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/4929.
Full textAbstract:
A major challenge of developing faster and smaller microelectronic devices is that high flux of heat needs to be removed efficiently to prevent overheating of devices. The conventional way of heat removal using liquid reaches a limit due to low thermal conductivity and limited heat capacity of fluids. Adding solid nanoparticles into fluids has been proposed as a way to enhance thermal conductivity of fluids, but recent results show inconclusive anomalous enhancements in thermal conductivity. A possible way to improve heat transfer is to increase the heat capacity of liquid by adding phase change nanoparticles with large latent heat of fusion into the liquid. Such nanoparticles absorb heat during solid to liquid phase change. However, the colloidal suspension of bare phase change nanoparticles has limited use due to aggregation of molten nanoparticles, irreversible sticking on fluid channels, and dielectric property loss. This dissertation describes a new method to enhance the heat transfer property of a liquid by adding encapsulated phase change nanoparticles (nano-PCMs), which will absorb thermal energy during solid-liquid phase change and release heat during freeze. Specifically, silica encapsulated indium nanoparticles, and polymer encapsulated paraffin (wax) nanoparticles have been prepared using colloidal method, and dispersed into poly-alpha]-olefin (PAO) and water for high temperature and low temperature applications, respectively. The shell, with a higher melting point than the core, can prevent leakage or agglomeration of molten cores, and preserve the dielectric properties of the base fluids. Compared to single phase fluids, heat transfer of nanoparticle-containing fluids have been significantly enhanced due to enhanced heat capacities. The structural integrity of encapsulation allows repeated uses of nanoparticles for many cycles.; By forming porous semi crystalline silica shells obtained from water glass, supercooling has been greatly reduced due to low energy barrier of heterogeneous nucleation. Encapsulated phase change nanoparticles have also been added into exothermic reaction systems such as catalytic and polymerization reactions to effectively quench local hot spots, prevent thermal runaway, and change product distribution. Specifically, silica-encapsulated indium nanoparticles, and silica encapsulated paraffin (wax) nanoparticles have been used to absorb heat released in catalytic reaction, and to mitigate the gel effect during polymerization, respectively. The reaction rates do not raise significantly owing to thermal buffering using phase change nanoparticles at initial stage of thermal runaway. The effect of thermal buffering depends on latent heats of fusion of nanoparticles, and heat releasing kinetics of catalytic reactions and polymerizations. Micro/nanoparticles of phase change materials will open a new dimension for thermal management of exothermic reactions.ID: 029809237; System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader.; Mode of access: World Wide Web.; Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2011.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 164-191).
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Mechanical Materials and Aerospace Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
30
Lee, Fung Ying. "Fabrication of nanoparticle arrays by holographic lithography /." View abstract or full-text, 2007. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?PHYS%202007%20LEE.
Full text
31
Fung, Kin-Hung. "Theoretical study of the plasmonic modes of metal nanoparticle arrays and their optical responses /." View abstract or full-text, 2008. http://library.ust.hk/cgi/db/thesis.pl?PHYS%202008%20FUNG.
Full text
32
Peña, David Jude. "Synthesis and characterization of novel nanoparticles." Full text available online (restricted access), 2001. http://images.lib.monash.edu.au/ts/theses/Pena.pdf.
Full text
33
Gilbank, Alexander. "Ceramic nanostructured catalysts." Thesis, University of Bath, 2015. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.648952.
Full textAbstract:
Catalysis has an effect on almost every aspect of our lives. They are used to help grow the food we eat, clean the water we drink and produce the fuels our civilisation is so dependent upon. Homogeneous catalysts, those in the same phase as the reaction medium, are highly selective as a result of their tuneable nature, for example through changes to ligands in a metal complex. However, their separation from the reaction medium can become a problematic, costly, non-green issue, overcome through the use of heterogeneous catalysts which can be removed and recycled by simple separation techniques such as filtering and sedimentation. A major limitation on understanding the behaviour of heterogeneous catalysts is the presence of different active sites due to different exposed crystal surface, concentration of defects and morphological variations. With such considerations, the first section of this thesis focuses on the synthesis of discrete and well-defined nanostructured materials (ceria and titanate) using a single-step hydrothermal method. Nanostructured ceria with different morphologies (particles, rods and cubes), present a high oxygen storage capacity and thermal stability. Their oxidation catalytic activity was assessed using CO oxidation as a model reaction as a function of their physical and chemical properties, tuned by morphological control at the nanoscale. An inverse relationship is observed between crystallite size and rates of reaction normalised per surface area. Smaller crystallites present a constrained geometry resulting in a higher concentration of defects, highly active catalytically due to their unsatisfied coordination and high surface energy. The surface to bulk oxygen ratio generally increased as the surface area increased, however, ceria nanorods present a higher surface oxygen content than that which would be predicted according to their surface area, likely due to the selective exposure of the (110) and (100) dominating crystal surfaces presenting more facile oxygen atoms in their surface. Additionally a relationship between surface to bulk oxygen ratios and activation energies was also ascribed to the more facile nature of oxygen atoms on these surfaces and their more readily formed oxygen vacancies as a result. This activity is as a result of the formation of oxygen vacancies being the rate-controlling step. The thermal stability of nanostructured ceria (particles, rods and cubes) was also studied to investigate their performance under cyclic high temperature applications. For this, the materials were pre-treated at 1000 °C under different atmospheres (inert, oxidative and reducing). In all cases, the materials sinter, consequently resulting in a dramatic decrease in surface area. Interestingly, their catalytic activity per surface area towards CO oxidation, seems to be maintained, although those materials pre-treated under inert and oxidising atmospheres became inactive in consecutive catalytic runs. However, nanostructured ceria pre-treated at 1000 °C under hydrogen appeared to maintain its activity per surface area. The presence of hydrogen during thermal treatment does not only facilitate the removal of surface oxygen, but also the bulk oxygen, resulting in a rearrangement of the structure that facilitates its catalytic stability. Titanate nanotubes were shown to be inactive for CO oxidation and thus were used in the second part of this thesis as a support for platinum nanoparticles to study the effect of the structure and metal-support interaction on the resulting catalytic activity. The study focuses on the effect of different loading methods (ion exchange and incipient wetness impregnation) of platinum nanoparticles on the resulting metal particle size, dispersion, metal-support interaction and consequently their resulting catalytic activity. Ion exchange consistently resulted in smaller nanoparticles with a lower dispersion of sizes and more active catalyst, both in terms of turnover frequency values and activation energy, compared with incipient wetness impregnation. The catalytic activity of the platinum supported on titanate nanotubes increases as the metal particle size decreases to a size value (between 1 and 2.5 nm) below which a dramatic decrease in activity is observed. Despite initial differences in catalytic activity between the different catalysts, it was observed that after initial reactions to 400 °C, the activation energy was independent of metal loading weight and was instead inherent of the loading method, suggesting the presence of similar active sites.
34
Gunti, Srikanth. "Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Remediation of Organics in Water Using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide Nanostructures." Scholar Commons, 2017. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6852.
Full textAbstract:
The techniques mostly used to decontaminate air as well as water pollutants have drawbacks in terms of higher costs, require secondary treatment, and some methods are very slow. So, emphasis has been given to water though the use of photocatalysts, which break organic pollutants to water and carbon dioxide and leave no trace of by-products at the end. Photocatalytic remediation aligns with the waste and wastewater industries’ zero waste schemes with lower cost, eco-friendly and sustainable treatment technology. The commonly used photocatalysts such as titanium oxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), tungsten oxide (WO3) have band gap of nearly 3.2 eV. The lower energy band-gap of a semiconductor makes it a better photocatalyst. The major drawbacks of photocatalysts are its inefficiency to work under visible light and high photocorrosion which limits its uses. These limitations can be mitigated through dopants and the formation of varying morphologies like nanowires, nanoparticles, nanotubes etc. Several organic pollutants are insoluble in water, which inhibits the pollutant (insoluble) to come in contact with photocatalytic material thus hindering remediation characteristic of a photocatalyst. Binder material used to immobilize the photocatalytic material tends to decompose due to oxidative and reduction reactions around the photocatalyst which causes the loss of photocatalytic material.
This investigation displays the advantage of organic remediation in visible radiation using graphene (G) doped TiO2 nanoparticles and nanowires. The nanostructured G-TiO2 nanoparticles and G-TiO2 nanowires were synthesized using sol-gel and hydrothermal methods. The nanostructured materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and particle analyser procedures. The remediation of organic compounds (methyl orange) in water was achieved under visible radiation using graphene doped nanostructured photocatalytic materials. The sol-gel synthesized G-TiO2 nanoparticles has shown complete remediation of methyl orange (MO) in less than four hours, thus displaying enhanced photocatalytic activity achieved through graphene doping on TiO2 nanostructures
The dopant and structure introduced in zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials bring foundation for enhanced photocatalytic activity due to lowering of the band gap, and decreasing of photocorrosion through delaying of electron-hole recombination. The challenge to synthesize both nanowire and nanoparticle structures of ZnO doped with graphene (G) are carried out by simple and cost effective hydrothermal as well as super saturation precipitation techniques, respectively. Various nanostructures of ZnO have been synthesized using precipitation and hydrothermal methods are ZnO nanoparticles, G doped ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO nanowires, G doped ZnO nanowires, TiO2 seeded ZnO nanowires and G doped TiO2 seeded ZnO nanowires The synthesized ZnO based nanostructures were characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, UV-vis, FTIR and particle analyser methods respectively. The standard organic pollutant methyl orange (MO) dye was employed in the water to understand the effective remediation using ZnO nanostructured materials under visible light radiation. The G-ZnO NW structure has shown effective remediation of MO in water in three hours compared to other synthesized nanostructured ZnO materials.
The petroleum compounds were photocatalytically remediated from water using G- TiO2 nanoparticles material in visible light radiation. The G-TiO2 nanoparticle was synthesized using sol-gel technique and used on various petroleum-based chemicals (toluene, naphthalene and diesel) were remediated, and samples were analysed using optical and gas chromatography (GC) techniques. The importance of pollutant to come in contact with photocatalyst have been demonstrated by employing surfactant along with G-TiO2 nanoparticles to remediate naphthalene.
Earlier studies in this investigation have shown that graphene (G) doping in both titanium oxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO), has brought about a reduction in photocorrosion, and an increase in the photocatalytic efficiency for remediation of organics under visible light (λ > 400nm). However, the graphene doped photocatalysts have proven to be hard to coat on a surface, due to the strong hydrophobic nature of graphene. So, attempts have been made to use polyaniline (PANI), a conducting polymer, as a binder material by insitu polymerization of aniline over G-TiO2 nanoparticles (G-TiO2 NP) and G-ZnO nanowires (G-ZnO NW) & characterized using SEM, XRD, UV-vis and FTIR techniques. The photocatalytic, as well as photoelectrochemical catalytic performance of PANI:G-TiO2 NP and PANI:G-ZnO NW, were investigated. The standard MO in water was used for both PANI:G-TiO2 NP and PANI:G-ZnO NW electrodes on conducting substrates. 1:1 PANI:G-TiO2 NP shows an increase of 31% in the remediation of MO in water at potential of +1000 mV, and with the ease in coating PANI:G-TiO2 NP and PANI:G-ZnO NW on various substrates, on top of the visible light remediation allows for the use of these materials and process to be used for practical applications of remediation of organics from water.
35
Zaker, Yeakub. "Facile Size Focusing Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Capped with Aliphatic Thiol Ligands." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1480456850511426.
Full text
36
Luo, Yanqi. "Interfacial Interactions between Carbon Nanoparticles and Conjugated Polymers." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2014. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1291.
Full textAbstract:
Conjugated polymer based electronics, a type of flexible electronic devices, can be produced from solution by traditional printing and coating processes in a roll-to-roll format such as papers and graphic films. This shows great promise for the emerging energy generation and conversion. The device performance of polymer electronics is largely dependent of crystalline structures and morphology of photoactive layers. However, the solution crystallization kinetics of conjugated polymers in the presence of electron acceptor nanoparticles has not been fully understood yet. In this study, solution crystallization kinetics of poly (3-hexylthiophene) in the presence of carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide has been investigated by using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscope. Various kinetics parameters such as crystallization temperature, polymer solution concentration and nanoparticle loading will be discussed. The crystallization rate law and fold surface free energy will be addressed by using polymer crystallization theory of heterogeneous nucleation. This fundamental study will provide a foundation of fabricating high efficiency polymer based electronics.
37
Lin, Yan. "Advanced nanomaterials for fuel cell catalysts characterization of bimetallic nanoparticles /." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2006.
Find full text
38
Dong, Qingchen. "Metallopolymers as precursors to magnetic metal alloy nanoparticles : synthesis, characterization, lithographic patterning and device fabrication." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2012. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/1433.
Full text
39
Chen, Rong. "Synthesis, characterization and biological applications of inorganic nanomaterials." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2006. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B36840907.
Full text
40
Sweeney, Scott Francis. "Towards well-defined gold nanomaterials via diafiltration and aptamer mediated sythesis /." Connect to title online (Scholars' Bank) Connect to title online (ProQuest), 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/6240.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007.Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-203). Also available online in Scholars' Bank; and in ProQuest, free to University of Oregon users.
41
Cheng, Ka Ying. "Nano-metals plasmonic coupling." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2020. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_oa/747.
Full textAbstract:
In this work, we investigated nano-metal plasmonic coupling between dissimilar metals. We measured the optical transmission of nano-Ag coupled to other nano-metals using glass and Si substrates respectively. The reflected colors shifted from yellow to violet were obtained through the plasmonic coupling with nearest-neighbor nano-metals such as aluminum, magnesium, and ytterbium nano-metals. They were deposited randomly next to the nano-Ag. The metal size is from 8 to 15 nanometers. The results show that the colors changing is essentially due to plasmonic coupling between nano-Ag and another the nano-metals e.g. nano-Al The coupling caused a red shift in plasmonic resonance frequency, thus, changing the reflection color. The resonance shift agrees well with the simulation result using COMSOL. The inter-particle distance and particle size dependency of the optical spectra correspond to surface plasmon resonance extinction peaks for isolated nano-Ag and coupled with those neighboring nano- metals. Due to plasmonic coupling between nanoparticles in small space can create new resonances; red shifts as the interparticle distance reduce. Wavelengths are tuned by the extent of the interparticles interactions which relate to the particles size, interparticles distance and the similarity of nano metals. Using different nano metals to fabricate thin films can change the plasmonic resonance frequency which makes the reflected colours become multihued. When we look into the effect of the nano-particle size, and the distance between nano-particles, we discovered that larger nano-particle size has larger distance between the particles, and since the plasmonic coupling is a function of Inverse Square of the distance between particles. Therefore, smaller nano-particles have the strongest plasmonic coupling. Al produced the smallest nano-particle therefore it has the shortest distance between nano-Al and nano-Ag. Since the size of the particles can be controlled during deposition, the color changing of nano-Ag can be well defined. Thus tunable color changing devices can be fabricated
42
Koen, Yolande. "Synthesis and investigation of smart nanoparticles." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/5356.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (MSc (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The use of various ‘smart materials’ (briefly meaning materials that respond to a change in their environment) is currently of interest to both academics and industry. The primary aim of the current study was to entrap photochromic (PC) dyes in miniemulsions, as a means to improve their fatigue resistance, thus synthesizing smart nanoparticles. In the coatings industry the use of aqueous systems is becoming a common requirement for health and environmental reasons. Miniemulsion entrapment allows the direct dispersion of PC dyes into aqueous systems while allowing for the opportunity to tailor-make the host matrix in order to obtain a suitable PC response and improved fatigue resistance. The optimal instrument set-up required to establish the PC response of films of the so-called smart nanoparticles (i.e. PC miniemulsions) was determined. A UV-Vis instrument with a chip-type UV LED mounted inside for activation of the samples provided PC response results. A tungsten lamp with filter provided deactivation of the samples. A stable butyl methacrylate (BMA) miniemulsion formulation was established by conducting a design of experiments. A chromene and spironapthoxazine (SNO) PC dye were entrapped in the BMA miniemulsion. A hindered amine light stabiliser (HALS) was also entrapped with the SNO dye in the BMA miniemulsion to further improve the fatigue resistance. The following PC properties of the smart nanoparticles films were evaluated: colourability, thermal decay rate, half-life and fatigue resistance. To compare results with conventional systems, a BMA solution polymer was prepared. The SNO dye and different concentrations of the HALS were mixed with the BMA solution polymer. In comparison to the SNO smart nanoparticles the chromene smart nanoparticles films had lower colourability, but better fatigue resistance. Incorporating HALS at levels of 0.5–2% in the BMA miniemulsion with PC dye did not lead to any significant improvement in fatigue resistance, yet films of the BMA solution polymer showed some improvement. SNO dye incorporated at 1% gave similar colourability in both miniemulsion and in solution polymer, yet the fatigue resistance of the films of the PC miniemulsions was much better.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gebruik van verskeie “slim materiale’ (kortliks beskryf as materiale wat reageer op `n verandering in hul omgewing) is tans van belang vir beide akademici en die industrie. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was om miniemulsietegnologie te gebruik om fotochromiese (FC) kleurstowwe vas te vang, vir die sintese van slim nanopartikels, om sodoende die weerstand teen afgematheid te verbeter. In die verfindustrie word die gebruik van waterbasissisteme meer algemeen weens gesondheids- en omgewingsredes. Die gebruik van miniemulsie sisteme om materiale vas te vang maak dit moontlik om FC kleurstowwe direk in waterbasissisteme te meng. Die sintese van `n unieke gasheer matriks word benodig om die optimum FC verandering te toon en weerstand teen afgematheid te verbeter. Om die FC verandering van die sogenaamde slim nanopartikel films (d.w.s. FC miniemulsies) te ondersoek was `n gepaste instrumentele opstelling nodig. Dit is vasgestel dat `n UV-Vis instrument waarin `n skyfie-tipe UV LED gemonteer is vir aktivering van die monsters, reproduseerbare resultate gegee het. Die monsters is gedeaktiveer deur gebruik te maak van `n tungsten lig met ‘n filter. `n Eksperimentele ontwerp is toegepas om `n stabiele butielmetakrielaat (BMA) miniemulsie formulasie te verkry. `n ‘Chromene’ en ‘spironapthoxazine’ (SNO) FC kleurstof is in die BMA miniemulsie vasgevang tesame met `n verhinderde amien ligstabiliseerder (VALS) om die weerstand teen afgematheid verder te verbeter. Die volgende FC eienskappe van die slim nanopartikels is gemeet: kleurintensiteit, tempo van termiese verwering, half-lewe en weerstand teen afgematheid. `n BMA polimeeroplossing is berei om resultate mee te vergelyk. Die SNO kleurstof en verskillende konsentrasies van die VALS is met die BMA polimeeroplossing gemeng. In vergelyking met die slim SNO nanopartikels het die intelligente chromene nanopartikelfilms `n swakker kleurintensiteit gehad, maar `n hoër weerstand teen afgematheid. Die gebruik van 0.5–2% VALS in die BMA miniemulsie met FC kleurstof het minimale verbetering in weerstand teen afgematheid getoon, maar daar was wel `n beduidende verbetering in die geval van films met FC kleurstof in `n BMA polimeeroplossing. Byvoeging van 1% SNO kleurstof in `n BMA miniemulsie of polimeeroplossing het dieselfde kleurintensiteit gelewer, maar die weerstand teen afgematheid van die FC miniemulsie was baie beter.
43
Luo, Zhishan. "Compositional Engineering of Colloidal Nanoparticles for Energy Conversion." Doctoral thesis, Universitat de Barcelona, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/400407.
Full textAbstract:
The main objective of this thesis focuses on compositional design and engineering colloidal NPs and their application in energy conversion. This principally included the synthesis and characterization of colloidal NPs, and in-depth exploration of their catalytic properties. Special focus is the synthesis and characterization of copper-based chalcogenides, bimetallic and multicompent metal oxide NPs. The results were shown in the series of articles which have been published or are under review in high impact peer-review journals.
These works can be extracted to conclusions as following:
(1) Copper-based chalcogenides NPs: Detailed synthetic routes to produce CZTS and CZTS-based HNPs i.e. CZTS-Au, CZTS-Pt and CZTS-Ag2S. The composition, size and shape control of CZTS NCs have been achieved by tuning the precursor concentration, surfactants, gas bubbling and heating ramp. This synthetic strategy method can be easy to scale up to grams at the same time keeping above 90% yield per batch by a simple vacuum free heating-up method. We used CZTS NCs as electrocatalysts with controlled crystal phases for the ORR measurements. First-principles calculations and experiments both indicated the kesterite CZTS NCs exhibit improving electrocatalytic activities toward ORR. In additional, monodisperse CZTS-Au and CZTS-Pt HNPs were obtained base on CZTS as seeds by seed-mediated growth method. Various characterizations confirm the structure of noble-semiconductors HNPs. Such HNPs were investigated on photocatalytic degradation of dye and hydrogen evolution reaction in water, exhibited high catalytic active. The research of CZTS-based HNPs is extended to a detailed synthesis of CZTS-Ag2S HNPs involving cation exchange reaction. The structure and composition of CZTS-Ag2S could be tuned by control the ration of Ag precursors and CZTS seeds. When employing CZTS-Ag2S as sensitizers apply photoelectrochemical cell for water splitting, showed improved photocurrent response under visible-light illumination.
(2) Bimetallic NPs: The synthesized Pd2Sn NPs were successfully used solution-based strategy. A mechanism of morphology structure was discussed detail based different ratio of OLA, chlorine and TOP precursors. When evaluating catalytic properties of geometry of Pd2Sn NPs, reduction of nitrophenol, water denitration and EOR were measured resulting in Pd2Sn NRs had outperformance catalytic active over Pd2Sn spherical NPs, while Pd2Sn alloy NPs exhibited better catalytic performance compare to Pd NPs. The formation of novel Au-Pd2Sn heterostructured NRs was described in detail as well. Au-Pd2Sn heterostructured NRs were synthesized via a seed-mediated growth method, which Au domains were selected to grow on the Pd2Sn seeds. The result establishes a new strategy for the development of multifunctional nanomaterials. (3) Multicompent metal oxide NPs: Mn3O4@CoMn2O4 core-shell and Mn3O4@CoMn2O4-CoO HNPs were prepared via partial cation exchange reaction via Mn3O4 seeds NPs and different cobalt precursors, which playing a crucial role whether additional nucleation of a CoO phase depending on the coordination ability of cobalt precursors. The lower coordination ability of cobalt perchlorate had a higher reactivity to grow CoO phase on Mn3O4@CoMn2O4 to form Mn3O4@CoMn2O4-CoO HNPs. In particular, such HNPs showed a superior catalytic activity and stability over the core shell catalysts and state-of-the-art electrocatalysts for ORR and OER in alkaline solution. Based on this colloidal synthetic route, Fe3O4@NixFe3-xO4 core shell NPs was obtained involving nickel perchlorate precursors to Fe3O4 seeds solution. The fabrication of this core shell NPs and ITO glass to form thin film as water oxidation catalyst exhibited an improved catalytic activity. This colloidal synthetic route offers an easy scale-up, low temperature and ambient pressure protocol to design earth-abundant, cost-effective and high activity water oxidation catalysts.El objetivo principal de esta tesis se centra en el diseño de ingeniería de composición y NP coloidal y su aplicación en la conversión y almacenamiento de energía. Esto incluye principalmente la síntesis y caracterización de los NP coloidales, y la exploración a fondo de sus propiedades catalíticas. Se prestará especial atención es la síntesis y caracterización de calcogenuros a base de cobre, óxido de metal NP bimetálicas y multicompent. Estos trabajos se pueden extraer con el resumen de la siguiente manera: (1) calcogenuros base de cobre NP: basados en CZTS rutas sintéticas detalladas para producir CZTS y heterostructured NP es decir CZTS-Au, Pt y CZTS-CZTS-Ag2S. La composición, el tamaño y la forma de control de CZTS CN se han conseguido mediante la regulación de la concentración de precursor, tensioactivos, burbujeo de gas y rampa de calentamiento. Utilizamos CZTS CN como electrocatalizadores con fases de cristal controlados para las mediciones de la reacción de reducción de oxígeno con cálculos y experimentos de primeros principios. En CZTS-Au adicionales, monodispersas, CZTS-PT y CZTS-Ag2S hetero-NP se obtuvieron sobre la base CZTS como semillas por el método de crecimiento de la semilla mediada. Tal Hetero-NP se investigaron sobre la degradación fotocatalítica de tinte, reacción de desprendimiento de hidrógeno en agua y celular fotoelectroquímico para la disociación del agua, exhibido alta catalítica activa. (2) bimetálica NP: Los Pd2Sn NP sintetizados se utilizan con éxito la estrategia basada en la solución. Un mecanismo de la estructura de la morfología se discutió detalle. Al evaluar las propiedades catalíticas de la geometría de Pd2Sn NP, la reducción de nitrofenol, desnitrificación del agua y la reacción de oxidación del etanol resultante se midieron en Pd2Sn NR había de resultados superiores activa catalítica sobre Pd2Sn esférica y Pd NP. La formación de la novela Au-Pd2Sn heterostructured NR se sintetizaron mediante un método de crecimiento de la semilla mediada, que fueron seleccionados Au dominios de crecer en las semillas de Pd2Sn. El resultado establece una nueva estrategia para el desarrollo de nanomateriales multifuncionales. (3) NP de óxido metálico Multicompent: Mn3O4@CoMn2O4 core-shell y Mn3O4@CoMn2O4-CoO hetero-NP se prepararon mediante la reacción de intercambio catiónico parcial a través de Mn3O4 semillas NP y diferentes precursores de cobalto. Tal Hetero-NP mostró una actividad catalítica y estabilidad superiores en los catalizadores de núcleo y corteza y electrocatalizadores el estado de la técnica para el oxígeno reacción de reducción / evolución en solución alcalina. En base a esta vía de síntesis coloidal, Fe3O4@NixFe3-xO4 de núcleo y corteza NP se obtuvo con precursores de perclorato de níquel a una solución semillas Fe3O4. La fabricación de este núcleo NP cáscara y el vidrio ITO para formar la película delgada como catalizador de oxidación en agua exhibe una actividad catalítica mejorada.
44
Waghela, Krunal R. "Fabrication of a memory device using polyaniline nanofibers and gold nanoparticles." Diss., Rolla, Mo. : Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010. http://scholarsmine.mst.edu/thesis/pdf/Waghela_09007dcc8072f881.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010.Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed January 6, 2010) Includes bibliographical references.
45
Izadi, Sina. "Al/Ti Nanostructured Multilayers: from Mechanical, Tribological, to Corrosion Properties." Scholar Commons, 2016. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6265.
Full textAbstract:
Nanostructured metallic multilayers (NMMs) are well-known for their high strength in smaller bilayer thicknesses. Six Al/Ti (NMM) with different individual layer thickness were tested for their mechanical hardness using a nanoindentation tool. Individual layer thicknesses were chosen carefully to cover the whole confined layer slip (CLS) model. Nano-hardness had a reverse relation with the square root of individual layer thickness and reached a steady state at ~ 5 nm bilayer thickness. Decreasing the layer bilayer thickness from ~ 104 nm to ~ 5 nm, improved the mechanical hardness up to ~ 101%. Residual stresses were measured using grazing incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD). Effect of residual stress on atomic structure and dislocation propagation was then investigated by comparing the amount and type of stresses in both aluminum and titanium phases. Based on the gathered data from GIXRD scans tensile stress in Ti phases, and compressive stress in Al would increase the overall coherency of structure.
Wear rate in coatings is highly dependent on design and architect of the structure. NMM coatings are known to have much better wear resistance compare to their monolithic constituent phases by introducing a reciprocal architect. In current study wear rate of two Al/Ti NMMs with individual layer thicknesses of ~ 2.5 nm and ~ 30 nm were examined under normal loads of 30 µN, 60 µN, and 93 µN. Wears strokes were performed in various cycles of 1, 2, 3, 4 5 and 10. Wear rates were then calculated by comparing the 3D imaging of sample topology before and after tests. Nano-hardness of samples was measured pre and post each cycle of wear using a nanoindentation tool. The microstructure of samples below the worn surface was then characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), focus ion beam (FIB) and an optical profilometer. Orientation mapping was performed to analyze the microstructure of layers beneath the nano indents. TEM imaging from the cross section of worn samples indicated severely plastically deformed layer (SPDL) below the worn surface. Shear bands and twins are visible after wear and below the worn surface. Decreasing the layer thickness from 30 nm to 2.5 nm resulted in ~ 5 time’s better wear resistance. Nanowear caused surface hardening which consequently increased nano hardness up to ~ 30% in the sample with 2.5 nm individual layer thickness.
Increasing the interfaces density of NMMs will significantly improve the corrosion resistance of coating. Reciprocal layers and consequently interfaces will block the path of aggressive content toward the substrate. Corrosion rate evolution of Al/Ti multilayers was investigated through DC corrosion potentiodynamic test. Results seem to be very promising and demonstrate up to 30 times better corrosion resistance compared to conventional sputtered monolithic aluminum. Corrosion started in the form of pitting and then transformed to the localized galvanic corrosion. Decreasing the bilayer thickness from ~ 10.4 nm to ~ 5 nm will decrease the corrosion current density (icorr) of ~ 5.42 × 10-7 (A/cm2) to ~ 6.11 × 10-10 (A/cm2). No sign of corrosion has been seen in the sample with ~ 2.5 nm individual layer thickness. Further AFM and TEM analysis from surface and cross section of NMMs indicate that a more coherent layer by layer structure improves the corrosion rate. Interfaces have a significant role in blocking the pores and imperfections inside coating.
46
Njoki, Peter Njunge. "Metal and alloy nanoparticles synthesis, properties and applications /." Diss., Online access via UMI:, 2007.
Find full text
47
Chi, Ning. "Deposition and kinetics studies of platinum nanoparticles on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 2000. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B2198203X.
Full text
48
Gu, Yanjuan. "Nanostructure of transition metal and metal oxide for electrocatalysis." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2006. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B37774396.
Full text
49
Rhyner, Matthew N. "Development of cancer diagnostics using nanoparticles and amphiphilic polymers." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/22582.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008.Committee Chair: Nie, Shuming; Committee Member: Bao, Gang; Committee Member: Chung, Leland; Committee Member: Murthy, Niren; Committee Member: Prausnitz, Mark.
50
Meduri, Kavita. "Carbon-Supported Transition Metal Nanoparticles for Catalytic and Electromagnetic Applications." Thesis, Portland State University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10933285.
Full textAbstract:
Recently, there has been growing interest in using transition metals (TM) for catalytic and electromagnetic applications, due to the ability of TMs to form stable compounds in multiple oxidation states. In this research, the focus has been on the synthesis and characterization of carbon-supported TM nanoparticles (NPs), specifically palladium (Pd) and gold (Au) NPs, for catalytic applications, and transition metal oxides (TMO) NPs, specifically Fe3O4 NPs for electromagnetic applications. Carbon supports have several advantages, such as enabling even distribution of particles, offering large specific surface area with excellent electron conductivity, and relative chemical inertness.
In this dissertation, for catalytic applications, emphasis was on removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) from groundwater. For this application, carbon-supported Pd/Au NP catalysts were developed. Pd was chosen because it is more active, stable and selective for desired end-products, and Au has shown to be a good promotor of Pd’s catalytic activity. Often, commercially available Pd-based catalysts are made using harsh chemicals, which can be harmful to the environment. Here, an environmentally friendly process with aspects of green chemistry was developed to produce carbon-supported Pd/Au NP catalysts. This process uses a combination of sonochemistry and solvothermal syntheses. The carefully designed carbon-supported Pd/Au NP catalyst material was systematically characterized, tested against TCE, and optimized for increased rate of removal of TCE. Electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques were used to study the material including structure, configuration and oxidative state. The Pd/Au NPs were found mainly to form clusters with an aggregate-PdShellAuCore structure. Using state-of-the-art direct detection with electron energy loss spectroscopy, the Pd NPs were found to have an oxidative state of zero (0). The formation of the catalyst material was studied in detail by varying several synthesis parameters including type of solvent, sonication time, synthesis temperature etc. The most optimized catalyst was found remove TCE at double the rate of corresponding commercial Pd-based catalysts in a hydrogen headspace. This material was found to catalyze the removal of TCE via traditional hydrodehalogenation and shows promise for the removal of other contaminants such as trichloropropane (TCP), carbon tetrachloride (CT).
This green approach to make and optimize TM materials for specific applications was extended to TMOs, specifically magnetite (Fe3O4) and further developed for the application of electromagnetism. As catalysts, Fe3O4 is used for removal of p-nitrophenol from water. However, since the carbon-supported Pd/Au material system was developed and optimized for catalysis, here, carbon-supported Fe3O 4 NPs were developed for electromagnetic applications. There has been growing interest in tuning the magnetic properties of materials at room temperature with the use of external electric fields, for long-term applications in data storage and spintronic devices. While a complete reversible change of material properties has not yet been achieved, some success in partial switching has been achieved using multiferroic spinel structures such as Fe3O 4. These materials experience a change in magnetic moment at room temperature when exposed to the electric fields generated by electrochemical cells such as lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors (SC). In the past, a 1% reversible change was observed in Fe3O4 using LIBs. Here, building on the developments from previous material system, Fe 3O4 NPs were directly hybridized onto the graphene support in order to increase the observable change in magnetic moment. The material was systematically designed and tested for this application, including a study of the material formation. A simple, environmentally friendly synthesis using the solvothermal process was implemented to make the graphene-supported Fe 3O4 NPs. This new material was found to produce a reversible change of up to 18% in a LIB. In order to overcome some of the difficulties of testing with a LIB, a corresponding hybrid SC was designed, built and calibrated. The graphene-supported Fe3O4 NPs were found to produce a net 2% reversibility in the SC, which has not been reported before. The results from both the LIB and SC were analyzed to better understand the mechanism of switching in a spinel ferrite such as Fe3O4, which can help optimize the material for future applications.
The focus of this dissertation was on the development of a methodology for carbon-supported TM and TMO NPs for specific applications. It is envisioned that this approach and strategy will contribute towards the future optimization of similar material systems for a multitude of applications.