From Gas Phase Clusters to Nanomaterials

该项目探索气相团簇作为一种理想的手段来阐明纳米颗粒的新的大小和形状依赖性。 该研究计划侧重于气相簇的基础研究，重点是新颖的分子结构和化学键合，以及识别新材料的潜在簇构建块。该实验涉及光电子能谱的大小选择集群，由激光汽化超音速集群源产生。 特别强调的是第13族元素（硼和铝）的簇，以及第14族（硅和锗）和第15族（锑和铋）元素的簇。 具体任务包括裸和混合硼簇，铝合金簇，芳香族簇，金属碳化物簇，以及基于簇的纳米材料的探索性合成。 一个主要的焦点是连接分子性质的散装性能，并发现结构和电子稳定的集群为潜在的合成团簇为基础的材料。 在固态结构已知的集群也将在气相中进行检查，以提供有关其稳定性，这可能会导致新的集群类的设计的基本原理的理解。研究生和本科生都将参加该研究项目，并接受纳米科学新兴领域的研究培训，以及纳米团簇和纳米材料合成和表征的前沿研究技术。 该研究计划被整合到纳米课程的教学中，最大限度地发挥研究成果的影响。纳米科学和纳米技术已引起全世界的关注。 纳米尺度的材料表现出与其本体对应物不同的性质，并且这些性质取决于颗粒尺寸和形状。 这构成了纳米科学和纳米技术的基础。 纳米科学的核心是理解材料在纳米尺度上的尺寸依赖行为。 由几个到几百个原子组成的原子团簇提供了一个理想的场所来阐明纳米颗粒的新的尺寸和形状依赖性。 该研究计划侧重于原子团簇的基础研究，重点是新的分子结构和化学键合，以及识别新材料的潜在团簇构建模块。 硼（B）和铝（Al）是轻的，并且形成作为汽车和飞机中的结构材料的重要合金。 理解B和Al的纳米团簇可能会导致设计更好和更强的材料。 硅是微电子工业的基石材料，了解硅纳米团簇的特性可能与未来几代计算机的制造和功能有关。 培养下一代研究人员和科学家对国家的技术竞争力至关重要。 研究生和本科生都将参加该研究项目，并接受纳米科学新兴领域的研究培训，以及纳米团簇和纳米材料合成和表征的前沿研究技术。 该研究计划还集成到纳米课程的教学中，最大限度地发挥研究成果的影响。

This project explores gas phase clusters as an ideal means to elucidate the novel size- and shape-dependent properties of nanoparticles. This research program focuses on a fundamental study of gas phase clusters with an emphasis on novel molecular structures and chemical bonding, as well as identifying potential cluster building blocks for new materials. The experiment involves photoelectron spectroscopy of size-selected clusters, produced by a laser vaporization supersonic cluster source. Special emphases are on clusters of group 13 elements (Boron and Aluminum), as well as clusters of group 14 (Silicon and Germanium) and 15 (Antimony and Bismuth) elements. Specific tasks include bare and mixed boron clusters, aluminum alloy clusters, aromatic clusters, metal carbide clusters, and exploratory synthesis of cluster-based nanomaterials. A major focus is to connect molecular properties to bulk properties and to discover structurally and electronically stable clusters for potential syntheses of cluster-based materials. Structurally known clusters in the solid state will also be examined in the gas phase to provide fundamental understanding about the principles underlying their stabilities, which may lead to the design of new classes of clusters. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be participating in the research project and receive research training in the emerging field of nanoscience and cutting edge research techniques in the synthesis and characterization of nanoclusters and nanomatierals. The research program is integrated to the teaching of a nanocourse, maximizing the impact of the research results. Nanoscience and nanotechnology have attracted worldwide attention. Materials in the nanometer size scale exhibit properties different from their bulk counterparts and these properties depend on particle size and shape. This forms the basis for nanoscience and nanotechnology. At the core of nanoscience is to understand the size-dependent behaviors of materials at the nanometer scale. Atomic clusters consisting of a few to few hundred atoms provide an ideal playground to elucidate the novel size- and shape-dependent properties of nanoparticles. This research program focuses on the fundamental investigation of atomic clusters with an emphasis on novel molecular structures and chemical bonding, as well as identifying potential cluster building blocks for new materials. Boron (B) and aluminum (Al) are light and form important alloys as structural materials in automobiles and airplanes. Understanding the nanoclusters of B and Al may lead to the design of better and stronger materials. Silicon is the cornerstone material for the microelectronic industry and understanding the properties of silicon nanoclusters may be relevant to the manufacture and function of future generations of computers. The training of the next generation researchers and scientists are important for the nation's technical competitiveness. Both graduate and undergraduate students will be participating in the research project and receive research training in the emerging field of nanoscience and cutting edge research techniques in the synthesis and characterization of nanoclusters and nanomatierals. The research program is also integrated to the teaching of a nanocourse, maximizing the impact of the research results.