CAREER: Process-Structure-Property Relationships for Rational Engineering of Semiconductor Nanowires

迈克尔·A.该项目的长期目标是建立半导体纳米线的基本工艺-结构-性能关系，并在此过程中加快实现基于纳米线的新型光伏器件技术的时间轴。实时原位红外光谱测量将被用来从根本上询问的动力学和热力学，支配硅和锗半导体纳米线的生长。具体的实验将进行测试的假设，表面化学可以强烈影响晶体结构在多个长度尺度。PI寻求对前体反应性、吸附物键合和表面结构的原子级理解，以便可以合理地操纵生长过程并精确地设计结构。这种化学知识也将通过异位吸收和电输运测量与关键的光电特性联系起来。用户定义的扭结，直径和掺杂调制的超结构的制造将打开新的机会，有效的光子收获和电荷载流子collection.Intellectual优点：的组合，一个可再生的真空生长环境和原位测量限制纳米线的退化和产量的化学细节的水平以前无法实现。更具体地说，它将有可能明确地确定最强烈地影响纳米线的结构和性能的瞬态表面化学。重要的表面物种，无论是单独或组合的具体键合配置，将是第一次区分。虽然Si和Ge纳米线将作为技术相关的模型系统，但关键发现将广泛适用于一系列材料类别（例如III-V半导体，氧化物等）。更广泛的影响：可广泛部署的突破性可再生能源技术可以改变我们的能源系统，并大大减少其碳足迹。在这项工作中获得的洞察力将使下一代光伏器件的纳米级组件的合理设计，使美国的贡献？宣布了在未来几年减少碳排放的目标。这些进展也有望在光子学、电子学、量子计算和电化学等一系列领域得到广泛应用。通过这项CAREER工作，PI将显著扩大教育和推广活动，旨在为即将到来的向基于可再生能源的能源部门的转变培养下一代科学家和工程师。在本科阶段，讲座模块将可再生能源的基础纳入核心化学工程课程。高级课程将提供太阳能捕获，转换和存储基础化学科学的综合治疗。每年夏季实习将允许当地高中化学和物理教师与PI合作，创建与太阳能相关的学习模块和动手演示。什么？索拉教授？博客将与社交网络服务相结合，以传播最新的科学进展，并向多学科受众介绍复杂的主题。

AbstractMichael A. Filler The long-range objective of this project is to establish foundational process-structure-property relationships for semiconductor nanowires and, in doing so, accelerate the timeline for realizing new nanowire-based photovoltaic device technologies. Real-time in-situ infrared spectroscopy measurements will be utilized to fundamentally interrogate the kinetics and thermodynamics that govern Si and Ge semiconductor nanowire growth. The specific experiments to be undertaken will test the hypothesis that surface chemistry can strongly influence crystal structure at multiple length scales. The PI seeks an atomic-scale understanding of precursor reactivity, adsorbate bonding, and surface structures such that growth processes can be rationally manipulated and structure precisely engineered. This chemical knowledge will also be connected to key optoelectronic properties via ex-situ absorption and electrical transport measurements. The fabrication of user-defined kinking, diameter, and doping-modulated superstructures will open new opportunities for efficient photon harvesting and charge carrier collection.Intellectual Merit: The combination of an ultrahigh vacuum growth environment and in-situ measurement limits nanowire degradation and yields a level of chemical detail not previously achievable. More specifically, it will be possible to definitively identify the transient surface chemistry that most strongly influences nanowire structure and properties. The specific bonding configuration of important surface species, either individually or in combination, will be distinguishable for the first time. While Si and Ge nanowires will serve as technologically relevant model systems, key findings will be broadly applicable to a range of materials classes (e.g. III-V semiconductors, oxides, etc.). Broader Impact: Breakthrough renewable energy technologies that could be widely deployed could transform our energy systems and dramatically reduce their carbon footprint. The insight gained during this work will enable the rational design of nanoscale components for next generation photovoltaic devices, making a contribution to the United States? declared goal of reducing carbon emissions over the coming years. Advancements are also expected to have broad application in a range of fields including photonics, electronics, quantum computation, and electrochemistry.Through this CAREER effort, the PI will significantly expand educational and outreach activities aimed at preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers for the impending shift to an energy sector based on renewables. At the undergraduate level, lecture modules will incorporate renewable energy fundamentals into the core chemical engineering curriculum. An upper-level course will provide a comprehensive treatment of the basic chemical science underlying solar energy capture, conversion, and storage. Yearly summer internships will allow local high school chemistry and physics teachers to work with the PI to create solar energy-related learning modules and hands-on demonstrations. The ?Prof. Solar? blog will be coupled with social networking services to disseminate recent scientific advances and introduce complex topics to a multidisciplinary audience.