EAGER: Towards Atomic-Scale Imaging of Hybrid Nanomaterials

EAGER：迈向混合纳米材料的原子级成像

• 批准号: 1341391
• 负责人: Derk Joester
• 金额: $ 24.99万
• 依托单位: Northwestern University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-15 至 2016-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1341391&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; Towards; Atomic; Scale; Imaging

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Heterostructures with at least one single digit nanometer dimension, and participation of organic molecules, are emerging as exciting alternatives to inorganic semiconductors and insulators for low cost, printable, and flexible electronics. Interfaces in such materials are integral to function, but are becoming increasingly complex in structure and chemistry. Quantitative imaging of all-organic or hybrid organic/inorganic nanomaterials is a formidable challenge to established electron optical methods. Laser-pulsed atom probe tomography (APT) is emerging as a potentially transformative analytical tool. In this project, supported by the NSF Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program, the experience of PI Joester will be leveraged in sample preparation, APT operation, and spectral interpretation to establish the scope of APT for the atomic-scale characterization of emergent organic and organic/inorganic hybrid materials from single nanoparticles to devices. Specifically, it is proposed to investigate model systems for three important classes of materials: I) DNA-wrapped single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) as representatives of self-assembled building blocks for molecular electronic/optical devices. II) Self-assembled nano-dielectrics (SANDs) as examples for organic thin films in electronic applications. III) Ferritin nanocages with metallic and metal oxide nanoparticle payloads as examples for hybrid nanomaterials. In each case, APT has the potential to greatly facilitate future structure-function analyses. For example, APT imaging of DNA-wrapped SWNT will enable systematic investigation of impact of DNA sequence and nanotube chirality on the complex geometry and electronic properties. Outcomes will provide input for rational design of single chirality SWNT purification schemes and programmed assembly of CNTFET devices. Visualizing SAND atomic scale structure will dramatically enhance the ability to correlate processing, defect formation, and device performance. Model systems were selected to generate maximum synergy with existing research efforts at the NU MRSEC and the International Institute for Nanotechnology at NU. Proposed activities include research training for young investigators from undergraduates to postdocs and a summer school in atom probe tomography to disseminate hands-on skills beyond the project team.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Rapid materials innovation is integral to enhancing US competitiveness in flexible/printable electronics, ultra-low power, or ultra-high speed circuits for emergent applications. Northwestern University is leading the development of all-organic and low dimensional organic/inorganic heterostructures such as carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNTFETs) or self-assembled nanodielectric (SAND) thin films. However, shortcomings of current analytical tools hinder realization of the potential of these unconventional electronic materials. Laser-pulsed atom probe tomography (APT), an atomic scale quantitative chemical imaging tool with unrivaled spatial resolution and unbiased chemical selectivity, may rise to the challenge. In this project, funded by the NSF Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program, it is proposed to leverage the experience of PI Joester in APT to investigate model systems for 0D, 1D, and 2D hybrid electronic nanomaterials in close collaboration with leading experts and centers at NU. Outcomes of the proposed work will have immediate impact by facilitating structure-function studies and greatly accelerating innovation at NU and its partner institutions. Research areas impacted at NU include energy materials, nano-electronics, sensors, optical, and spintronic devices. In addition to training the next generation of scientists and engineers, the impact of the proposed activities will be significantly broadened by providing hands-on training in sample preparation techniques and APT to users outside the project team in a summer school on APT.

具有至少一个个位数纳米尺寸和有机分子参与的异质结构正在成为无机半导体和绝缘体的令人兴奋的替代品，用于低成本，可印刷和柔性电子产品。这些材料中的界面是功能不可或缺的，但在结构和化学上变得越来越复杂。全有机或混合有机/无机纳米材料的定量成像是对现有电子光学方法的巨大挑战。激光脉冲原子探针层析成像（APT）正在成为一种潜在的变革性分析工具。在该项目中，由NSF固态和材料化学计划支持，PI Joester的经验将在样品制备，APT操作和光谱解释中发挥作用，以建立APT的范围，用于从单个纳米颗粒到设备的新兴有机和有机/无机混合材料的原子尺度表征。具体而言，它建议调查模型系统的三个重要类别的材料：I）DNA包裹的单壁碳纳米管（SWNT）作为分子电子/光学器件的自组装积木的代表。II）作为电子应用中的有机薄膜的实例的自组装纳米粒子（SAND）。III）具有金属和金属氧化物纳米颗粒有效载荷的铁蛋白纳米笼作为混合纳米材料的实例。在每种情况下，APT都有可能极大地促进未来的结构-功能分析。例如，DNA包裹的单壁碳纳米管的APT成像将能够系统地研究DNA序列和纳米管手性对复杂几何形状和电子性质的影响。研究结果将为单手性单壁碳纳米管纯化方案的合理设计和CNTFET器件的程序化组装提供参考。可视化SAND原子尺度结构将显著增强将工艺、缺陷形成和器件性能相关联的能力。选择模型系统以与NU MRSEC和NU国际纳米技术研究所的现有研究工作产生最大的协同作用。拟议的活动包括研究培训年轻的研究人员从本科生到博士后和暑期学校在原子探针断层扫描传播实践技能超出项目team.Non-Technical摘要：快速材料创新是不可或缺的，以提高美国的竞争力，在柔性/可印刷电子，超低功耗，或超高速电路的紧急应用。西北大学正在引领全有机和低维有机/无机异质结构的发展，如碳纳米管场效应晶体管（CNTFFET）或自组装纳米电介质（SAND）薄膜。然而，目前分析工具的缺点阻碍了这些非传统电子材料潜力的实现。激光脉冲原子探针层析成像（APT），一个原子尺度的定量化学成像工具，具有无与伦比的空间分辨率和无偏的化学选择性，可能会上升的挑战。在这个由NSF固态和材料化学计划资助的项目中，建议利用PI Joester在APT中的经验，与NU的领先专家和中心密切合作，研究0 D，1D和2D混合电子纳米材料的模型系统。拟议工作的结果将通过促进结构-功能研究和大大加速NU及其合作机构的创新产生直接影响。在NU影响的研究领域包括能源材料，纳米电子，传感器，光学和自旋电子器件。除了培训下一代科学家和工程师外，还将通过在关于APT的暑期学校中向项目小组以外的用户提供样品制备技术和APT的实践培训，大大扩大拟议活动的影响。