Nanostructured materials: laser/plasma based synthesis, nanohybridization and integration into photoconversion devices

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Nanostructured materials (NSMs) constitute a fertile research field for the design and development of novel forms of materials with highly attractive electrical, optical, electromagnetic and/or photocatalytic properties. Due to the nanometer size of their building blocks, the NSMs often exhibit new and unprecedented properties that generally depend on the way they are built or assembled. At the nanoscale, there is plenty of room to decorate the surface of materials with nanoparticles, leading thereby to the formation of new nanohybrids (NHs) which hold the promise of revolutionizing different technologies. My Research program aims at better understanding the fundamental processes governing the world of NSMs/NHs and how the latter react upon their exposure to sunlight or to ultrafast laser pulses. Such knowledge is essential to develop highly innovative and potentially disruptive technologies in different sectors of importance to Canada. These include advanced solar cells, ultrasensitive photodetectors, reliable THz sources, and high-surface-area photoanodes for water decontamination. In my research group, we use powerful laser/plasma tools to decompose (at the atomic/molecular level) solid (or gaseous) matter, under controlled experimental conditions, with the intent to guide its re-formation into a novel nanostructured form, which would potentially exhibit new properties. Once formed, we have the required expertise to probe the nanostructure and properties of these NSMs/NHs by using the most sophisticated material characterization tools. The ultimate objective of my research program is to capitalize on the discovered new properties of the NSMs/NHs by integrating them into innovative devices. By capitalizing on my expertise and successful research achievements, I will continue to lead an ambitious research program of which specific objectives are: (i)to develop laser/plasma based processes for the controlled synthesis of both (a) novel NSMs/NHs consisting of one-dimensional materials (e.g. carbon nanotubes, silicon nanowires) locally decorated with appropriate metallic or semiconducting nanoparticles, and (b) nanostructured films of MoS2, Ge and Magnéli-phase Ti4O7 intended to photoconversion, photosensing, photoemitting and photocatalytic applications, respectively; (ii)to study the nanostructure and physical properties of these NSMs/NHs in order to discover relationships between their photoelectronic response and their nanostructural characteristics. This will enable the exploitation of the full potential of these NSMs/NHs into highly-efficient photoactive devices; (iii)to leverage the results of this upstream research to develop partnerships with Canadian industries; and most importantly (iv)to continue providing high-quality training to HQP in strategic areas (e.g., advanced photovoltaics, optoelectronics, THz technology, innovative water sanitation) that will fuel up Canada's economy and strengthen its international competitiveness.