Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Films Grown by Molecular Layer Deposition as Precursors to Conformal Metal Oxide-Carbon Composite and Porous Metal Oxide Films

本研究由化学系高分子、超分子与纳米化学研究计划资助。位于博尔德的科罗拉多大学的乔治和他的学生们的目标是利用分子层沉积（MLD）技术生长新型的有机-无机杂化薄膜，然后研究这些MLD薄膜的后处理以形成金属氧化物/碳复合薄膜。 乔治教授和他的学生正在开发锡醇盐薄膜（tincones）和铁醇盐薄膜（ironcones）使用原位FTIR光谱研究MLD薄膜生长过程中的表面化学和热解过程中的光谱变化，以形成金属氧化物/碳复合薄膜。 在其他研究中，他们在热壁粘流反应器中生长MLD薄膜，然后在管式炉中真空退火MLD薄膜，以形成具有金属氧化物和碳纳米畴的复合薄膜。 用四探针法和恒电位仪法测量了复合膜的电导率和电化学性能。 该研究项目的重点是：薄膜生长的表面化学;薄膜生长的表征;薄膜加工;和薄膜性能的测量。 该项目包括开发新型有机-无机混合材料及其后处理，以获得导电金属氧化物/碳复合材料。 由此产生的新型纳米复合膜可能具有许多重要的电化学应用，用于能量存储，如锂离子电池电极或赝电容超级电容器。该项目为研究生和本科生提供实验室研究经验，接触最先进的实验方法和仪器。 学生将获得真空技术、薄膜生长、材料加工、光谱分析和电化学表征方面的专业知识。 学生也有机会在科学会议上展示他们的成果，并参加教育和推广活动。

In this research project, funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Prof. Steven M. George of the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his students aim to grow novel hybrid organic-inorganic films using molecular layer deposition (MLD) techniques and then study the post-processing of these MLD films to form metal oxide/carbon composite films. Prof. George and his students are developing tin alkoxide films (tincones) and iron alkoxide films (ironcones) using in situ FTIR spectroscopy to study the surface chemistry during MLD film growth and the subsequent spectral changes during pyrolysis to form metal oxide/carbon composite films. In other studies they grow the MLD films in a hot-wall viscous flow reactor and then anneal the MLD films under vacuum in a tube furnace to form the composite films with metal oxide and carbon nanodomains. The electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of these composite films are measured using four-point probe and potentiostat methods. This research project is focused on: surface chemistry of film growth; characterization of film growth; thin film processing; and measurement of film properties. The project consists of the development of new hybrid organic-inorganic materials and their post-processing to obtain conducting metal oxide/carbon composites. The resulting new class of nanocomposite films may have a number of important electrochemical applications for energy storage as Li ion battery electrodes or pseudocapacitance supercapacitors. This project is providing laboratory research experience for graduate and undergraduate students with exposure to state-of-the-art experimental methods and instrumentation. The students are gaining expertise in vacuum technology, thin film growth, materials processing, spectroscopic analysis and electrochemical characterization. The students also have the opportunity to present their results at scientific conferences and participate in educational and outreach activities.