CAREER: Synthesis, Characterization and Physical Properties of One-Dimensional Rare Earth Chalcogenide Nanomaterials

技术说明本发明的目的是合成基于具有重要技术和基础意义的稀土硫化物（如铁磁半导体硫化铕（EuS）和中间价金属硫化钐（SmS））的新型一维纳米材料，并研究其独特的物理性质。这些化学合成的单晶纳米材料将使自旋电子学和具有高度相关电子的纳米结构的基础物理研究的潜在应用成为可能。PI和他的同事将采用多学科方法开发有机金属前体，通过化学气相沉积合成均匀或混合的稀土硫化物纳米线，使用各种技术表征所得纳米材料的纳米结构和物理性能，以了解合成-结构-性能关系。他们将进一步研究EuS纳米线的铁磁性和磁性之间的关系，并研究基本性质的尺寸演变。PI还建议通过开发纳米材料化学研究生课程，鼓励和吸收少数民族和代表性不足的本科生参与科学研究，并通过合作开发一个基于网络的课程纳米科学和纳米技术的高中教师，使教师可以有工具箱需要纳入尖端的元素科学和技术融入他们的课程。非技术说明将产生由技术上有用且基本上重要的稀土硫化物材料制成的纳米尺度线（纳米线），并且将研究它们独特的物理性质以用于各种潜在应用，例如下一代纳米级自旋电子（“spintronic”）和磁光信息存储器件。尽管稀土硫化物材料具有磁性和半导体性质的有趣组合，但材料问题仍有待解决。这项跨学科的研究计划将为创造和理解这些高质量的纳米材料奠定科学基础。 此外，将通过开发纳米材料化学新的研究生课程，鼓励和吸收少数民族和代表性不足的本科生参与尖端科学研究，并通过合作开发第一个基于网络的课程纳米科学和纳米技术的高中教师，使教师可以有工具箱需要纳入元素尖端科技的课程所有这些都将激发和吸引学生对科学和技术的兴趣，并帮助培养新一代的科学和技术工作者。

TECHNICAL EXPLANATIONThis proposal aims to synthesize novel one-dimensional nanomaterials based on technologically and fundamentally important rare earth sulfides, such as ferromagnetic semiconducting europium sulfide (EuS) and intermediate valence metal samarium sulfide (SmS), and study their unique physical properties. These chemically synthesized single crystalline nanomaterials would enable both potential applications in spintronics and fundamental physical studies in nanoscale structures with highly correlated electrons. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the PI and his co-workers will develop organometallic precursors to synthesize uniform or mixed rare earth sulfide nanowires by chemical vapor deposition, characterize the nanoscale structures and physical properties of the resulting nanomaterials using a variety of techniques in order to understand the synthesis-structure-property relationship. They will further investigate the relationship between ferromagnetism and semiconductivity of EuS nanowires and examine the size evolution of the fundamental properties. The PI also proposes to build an integrated educational program in materials chemistry by developing a graduate level course in nanomaterials chemistry, by encouraging and incorporating minority and underrepresented undergraduate students to participate in scientific research, and by collaboratively developing a Web based course on nanoscience and nanotechnology for high school teachers so that teachers can have the toolbox needed to incorporate elements of cutting edge science and technology into their curriculum. NON-TECHNICAL EXPLANATIONNanometer scale wires (nanowires) that are made of technologically useful and fundamentally important rare earth sulfide materials will be created, and their unique physical properties will be investigated for a variety of potential applications, such as the next generation nanoscale spin electronic ("spintronic") and magento-optical information storage devices. Despite the interesting combination of magnetic and semiconducting properties that rare earth sulfide materials possess, materials issues remain to be addressed. This interdisciplinary research proposal will lay the scientific foundation to enable the creation and understanding of these high quality nanoscale materials. Furthermore, an integrated educational program in materials chemistry will be built by developing a new graduate level course in nanomaterials chemistry, by encouraging and incorporating minority and underrepresented undergraduate students to participate in cutting edge scientific research, and by collaboratively developing the first Web based course on nanoscience and nanotechnology for high school teachers so that teachers can have the toolbox needed to incorporate elements of cutting edge science and technology into their curriculum. All of these will stimulate and engage the interest of students in science and technology and help to prepare the new generation of scientific and technological workforce.