Solution-Based Fabrication of Epitaxial Metal-Oxide Nanocomposite Thin Films

该奖项为氧化物纳米复合材料的合成和研究提供资金，以控制和操纵氧化物的物理性质。制备双层或多层层状纳米复合材料的技术多种多样。然而，制备自组装纳米复合材料的技术只能通过脉冲激光沉积。本项目旨在开发一种自组装纳米复合材料的新技术，拓宽具有不同成分和微观结构的复合材料体系。本项目的主要目标是：1)利用一种新的化学溶液方法，聚合物辅助沉积来合成双层和自组装的纳米复合材料；2)分析形貌和显微组织；3)评价物理性质。聚合物辅助沉积具有化学溶液方法的所有优点：低成本，易于设置，大面积涂层。然而，它是独一无二的，因为溶液在多年内非常稳定，溶液中的聚合物实际上与金属离子结合，从而防止金属被水解。因此，它提供了极其简单的合成复合材料和精确控制的化学计量。此外，聚合物辅助沉积制备的自组装纳米复合材料的微观结构与脉冲激光沉积制备的薄膜不同，这将使我们能够比较和了解微观结构和形态如何影响氧化物的功能。如果成功，该项目将直接促进以下知识的重要进展：1)预测两相纳米复合材料体系的原理；2)功能性由氧化物纳米复合材料的形貌和微观结构决定；以及3)实现增强功能性或多功能性的必要条件。该项目对加强氧化物纳米复合材料的各种基础和应用研究具有很大的前景。此外，对氧化物体系的理解对氮化物和碳化物及其复合材料也有很大的技术影响。该项目的技术方面将以课程开发、教学实验室和特别研讨会的形式与教育任务相结合。研究生和本科生将通过多学科环境进行培训，学生将有机会在国家实验室进行培训和工作。

This award provides funding for the synthesis and study of oxide nanocomposite materials in order to control and manipulate the physical properties of oxides. A variety of techniques are available to prepare bi-layer or multi-layer laminate nanocomposites. However, the technique to prepare self-assembled nanocomposites is solely by pulsed laser deposition. This project aims to develop a new technique to self-assembled nanocomposites and broaden the composite systems with varied compositions and microstructures. The main objectives of this project are: 1) to use a novel chemical solution approach, the polymer-assisted deposition to synthesize the bi-layer and self-assembled nanocomposites of the same two-phase materials; 2) to analyze the morphology and microstructure; and 3) to evaluate the physical properties. The polymer-assisted deposition has all the benefits of a chemical-solution approach: low cost, easy set-up, and large area coatings. However, it is unique since the solutions are very stable for years, where polymers in the solutions actually bind with metal ions, which prevents the metals from undergoing hydrolysis. Therefore, it provides extremely straightforward to synthesize the composites and precise control of the stoichiometry. In addition, the microstructure of the self-assembled nanocomposites prepared by the polymer-assisted deposition is different from the films prepared by pulsed-laser deposition, which will allow us to compare and understand how the microstructure and morphology affect the functionality of oxides.If successful, the project will directly contribute to important advances in the knowledge of 1) the principles of predicting two-phase nanocomposite systems; 2) functionality as determined by morphology and microstructure of the oxide nanocomposites; and 3) the necessary conditions for achieving enhanced functionality or multifunctionality. This project holds great promise for enhancing various fundamental and applied studies of oxide nanocomposites. Furthermore, the understanding of oxide systems can have great technological impact on nitrides and carbides and their composites as well. The technical aspects of the project will be integrated with an educational mission in form of course development, teaching laboratories, and special seminars. The graduate and undergraduate students will be trained through a multidisciplinary environment and the students will get an opportunity for training and working at national laboratories.