Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Films Grown by Molecular Layer Deposition as Precursors to Conformal Metal Oxide-Carbon Composite and Porous Metal Oxide Films

在这项由化学系高分子、超分子和纳米化学计划资助的研究项目中，科罗拉多大学博尔德分校的Steven M.George教授和他的学生旨在利用分子层沉积(MLD)技术生长新型有机-无机杂化薄膜，然后研究这些MLD薄膜的后处理以形成金属氧化物/碳复合膜。George教授和他的学生正在利用原位FTIR光谱技术开发锡醇氧化物薄膜(锡锥)和铁醇氧化物薄膜(铁锥)，以研究MLD薄膜生长过程中的表面化学以及随后在热解形成金属氧化物/碳复合薄膜时的光谱变化。在其他研究中，他们在热壁粘性流动反应器中生长MLD薄膜，然后在管式炉中真空热处理MLD薄膜，形成具有金属氧化物和碳纳米结构域的复合膜。用四探针法和恒电位法测量了复合膜的电导率和电化学性质。本研究项目的重点是：薄膜生长的表面化学；薄膜生长的表征；薄膜加工；以及薄膜性能的测量。该项目包括开发新型有机-无机杂化材料及其后处理，以获得导电金属氧化物/碳复合材料。由此产生的新型纳米复合薄膜可能在锂离子电池电极或伪电容超级电容器等储能方面有许多重要的电化学应用。这个项目为研究生和本科生提供实验室研究经验，让他们接触到最先进的实验方法和仪器。这些学生正在获得真空技术、薄膜生长、材料加工、光谱分析和电化学表征方面的专业知识。学生还有机会在科学会议上展示他们的成果，并参加教育和外联活动。

In this research project, funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. Steven M. George of the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his students aim to grow novel hybrid organic-inorganic films using molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques and then study the post-processing of these MLD films to form metal oxide/carbon composite films. Prof. George and his students are developing tin alkoxide films (tincones) and iron alkoxide films (ironcones) using in situ FTIR spectroscopy to study the surface chemistry during MLD film growth and the subsequent spectral changes during pyrolysis to form metal oxide/carbon composite films. In other studies they grow the MLD films in a hot-wall viscous flow reactor and then anneal the MLD films under vacuum in a tube furnace to form the composite films with metal oxide and carbon nanodomains. The electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of these composite films are measured using four-point probe and potentiostat methods. This research project is focused on: surface chemistry of film growth; characterization of film growth; thin film processing; and measurement of film properties. The project consists of the development of new hybrid organic-inorganic materials and their post-processing to obtain conducting metal oxide/carbon composites. The resulting new class of nanocomposite films may have a number of important electrochemical applications for energy storage as Li ion battery electrodes or pseudocapacitance supercapacitors. This project is providing laboratory research experience for graduate and undergraduate students with exposure to state-of-the-art experimental methods and instrumentation. The students are gaining expertise in vacuum technology, thin film growth, materials processing, spectroscopic analysis and electrochemical characterization. The students also have the opportunity to present their results at scientific conferences and participate in educational and outreach activities.