Solution-Grown Ternary Dichalcogenides: Toward Earth-Abundant Semiconductors

半导体是许多技术应用的关键，包括能源转换、电信和发光器件。不幸的是，许多半导体含有有毒元素，如铅或砷，而另一些半导体含有相对稀缺的元素或仅在地球上特定地区发现的元素。在NSF化学部大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目的支持下，爱荷华州州立大学的Javier Vela教授研究了地球上丰富的半导体，这些半导体可能具有从各种来源（从阳光到废热回收）发电的有用特性。 除了提高可持续性外，该项目还旨在通过招募和培训下一代高素质和多样化的科学家来扩大参与。为来自历史上黑人学院和大学（HBCU）和西班牙裔服务机构（HSI）的学生提供实习机会，并参与爱荷华州州立大学的科学界和准备未来教师计划，有助于推进基础研究和教育，同时应对重大社会挑战。该资助的科学目标是开发NaBiE 2（E=S，Se）半导体的胶体合成，揭示了NaBiE 2纳米颗粒的表面化学，并研究了NaBiE 2半导体及其器件的结构-性能关系。光谱学和计算之间的协同作用使得能够直接观察岩盐晶格中混合阳离子位点产生的最低能量超结构。通过解锁一类新的低成本和环境友好的三元半导体，这项研究导致了对这些化合物的基本理解和实际应用的纵向改进。这种理解有助于推进纳米结构，其表面化学和功能化的化学知识。通过这种方式，该研究通过使用地球丰富的元素合成纳米材料的变革方法促进可持续性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Semiconductors are key to many technological applications including energy conversion, telecommunications, and light emitting devices. Unfortunately, many semiconductors contain toxic elements, such as lead or arsenic, while others contain relatively scarce elements or elements that are found only in specific regions on the Earth. With the support from the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the NSF Division of Chemistry, Professor Javier Vela at Iowa State University investigates Earth-abundant semiconductors that could have useful properties for the generation of electricity from varied sources, ranging from sunlight to waste heat recycling. In addition to improving sustainability, this project aims to broaden participation by recruiting and training the next generation of highly qualified and diverse scientists. Internships for students from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), and participation in the Iowa State University's Science Bound and Preparing Future Faculty programs help advance basic research and education while addressing major societal challenges.The scientific objectives of this grant are to develop the colloidal synthesis of NaBiE2 (E=S, Se) semiconductors, unveil the surface chemistry of NaBiE2 nanoparticles, and investigate structure-property relationships of NaBiE2 semiconductors and their devices. Synergy between spectroscopy and computations enables direct observation of the lowest energy superstructures that result from the mixed cation sites in the rock salt lattice. By unlocking a new class of low cost and environmentally friendly ternary semiconductors, this research leads to vertical improvements in the fundamental understanding and practical application of these compounds. This understanding helps advance the chemical knowledge of nanoscopic structures, their surface chemistry, and functionalization. In this way, this research promotes sustainability through transformative approaches to nanomaterials synthesis using Earth-abundant elements.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.