Expedited Award for Novel Research: New Processes for Producing Cluster Based Materials

建议进行为期一年的可行性研究，以探索：(1)利用朗缪尔-布洛吉特技术生产金属团簇的单层和片状薄膜；(2)基于团簇的工艺来生产高质量的金刚石薄膜。研究计划1：研究的初始目标是测量与各种表面活性剂分子结合的金团簇的表面积与表面积的关系。一系列由直链烷烃组成的有机分子被测试为表面活性剂，这些分子的两端连接着不同的官能团(乙烯、羟基、胺和羧基)。一旦建立了在空气/水界面组装团簇单层的能力，就将研究这些薄膜向固体衬底的转移以及所得到的薄膜的结构。用透射电子显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对团簇薄膜的均匀性进行了研究。最后，将对薄膜进行光学和电学测量。研究计划2：第二个项目具有与第一个项目相同的产生重大技术和经济影响的潜力，但其结果更不确定。多重膨胀簇源(MECS)概念被用于控制聚合，该概念在组装纳米尺寸的金属原子团簇方面被证明是如此成功。要研究的反应是形成悬浮在惰性气体载体中的气溶胶粒子的聚乙炔分子。如果这项研究成功，将为生产分子量可控、分子量分布窄的聚乙炔提供一种方法。然而，该项目的最终目标是证明生产具有理想SP3或类钻石键合的碳簇的可行性，以及沉积这些碳簇以形成高质量薄膜的可行性。

A one year feasibility study is proposed to explore: (1) the use of Langmuir-Blodgett technology for production of monolayer and lamellar films of metal clusters and (2) A cluster based process for producing high quality diamond films. These are described as follows: Research Plan 1: The initial objective of the study is to measure surface versus surface area relationships for gold clusters bound to a variety of surfactant molecules. A series of organic molecules consisting of straight chain alkanes with various functional groups (ethylene, hydroxyl, amine, and carboxyl) attached at each end are tested as surfactants. Once the ability to assemble cluster monolayers at the air/water interface is established, the transfer of these films to solid substrates and the structure of the resulting films will be studied. Both TEM and STEM are used to explore the uniformity of the cluster films. Finally both optical and electrical measurements will be carried out on the films. Research Plan 2: The second project has the same potential for significant technological and economic impact as the first but is more uncertain as to its outcome. The Multiple Expansion Cluster Source (MECS) concept, which has proven so successful in the assembly of nanometer size clusters of metal atoms, is used for controlled polymerization. The reaction to be studied is the formation of polyacetylene molecules suspended as aerosol particles in an inert gas carrier. If this research is successful, it will provide a method for producing polyacetylene with controlled molecular weight and a narrow molecular weight distribution. The ultimate goal of the project, however, is proof of feasibility of production of carbon clusters having ideal sp3 or diamond-like bonding and the deposition these clusters to form high quality films.