Template-Assisted Nanoparticle Processing

目前的自上而下的方法是减去创建纳米功能，但该过程是昂贵的。自下而上的方法在纳米尺度上操纵物种，但系统和大规模组装是不存在的。该项目的目标是开创一种新的模板辅助纳米颗粒工艺，以生产具有分级纳米颗粒和纳米结构的大表面积材料。具体而言，该计划旨在通过结合聚焦离子束预纹理化和纳米图案化来获得分层纳米孔图案，了解纳米颗粒胶体相稳定性和大面积纳米结构创建的分离，并制定三维烧结中的定量表征方法用于大面积纳米结构的保存和控制。模板将指导纳米粒子的层次结构和尺寸分布;胶体相分离和定量烧结表征将为纳米制造提供新的有效方法。预期分级纳米粒子提供大大增强的性质。 所使用的材料TiO 2和ZnO是光伏太阳能电池、光电子学、新型化学和生物传感器以及催化剂的最理想的候选材料。分级纳米结构对急剧增加太阳能电池能量转换效率和光致发光效率等具有直接和直接的影响。该研究方法在提高工艺可靠性和可生产性的同时，对多尺度器件集成具有广泛的意义。对于纳米教育，该计划的目标是通过积极招募和留住女性工程专业学生，在工程方面代表性不足的女性。期刊出版物、会议和通讯也将产生更广泛的社会影响。

Current top-down approach subtractively creates nano-features but the process is expensive. Bottom-up approach manipulates species at nanoscale but systematic and large scale assembly is non-existent. The objective of this project is to pioneer a novel template-assisted nanoparticle process in order to produce large surface area materials with hierarchical nanopatterns and nanostructures. Specifically, the program aims to obtain hierarchical nanopore patterns by combining focused ion beam pre-texturing and nano-patterning, understand nanoparticle colloid phase stability and separation for large area nanostructure creation, and formulate a quantitative characterization method in three dimensional sintering for large area nanostructure preservation and control. The template will direct the hierarchy and size distribution of the nanopatterns; the colloidal phase separation and quantitative sintering characterization will offer new and efficient approaches for nano-fabrication. The hierarchical nanopatterns are expected to deliver much enhanced properties. The materials to be used, TiO2 and ZnO, are the most desired candidates for photovoltaic solar cells, optoelectronics, novel chemical and biological sensors, and catalysts. The hierarchical nanostructures have direct and immediate impact on drastically increasing solar cell energy conversion efficiency and photoluminescence efficiency, among others. The research methodology has wide-ranging significance in multi-scale device integration while improving process reliability and producibility. For nano-education, the program is targeted at engineering-wise underrepresented females by actively recruiting and retaining female engineering students. Broader societal impact will also result from journal publications, conferences, and newsletters.