Nanostructured materials: laser/plasma based synthesis, nanohybridization and integration into photoactive devices

纳米结构材料是设计和建造新型纳米杂化组件的有趣构件，特别是用于增强太阳能收集和光转换应用。由于纳米尺寸和高比表面积的成分，以及将它们组装成不同纳米结构的各种可能性，纳米杂化材料(NHS)显示出新的、往往是意想不到的特性。对这些新型NHS性能的研究和优化无疑将增强我们使用基于纳米技术的解决方案在许多领域进行创新的能力，包括太阳能转换和水质保护的战略领域。这一创新的核心一方面是掌握这些NHS的合成和组装，另一方面是对NHS的纳米结构-性质相互关系的基本了解。在我的团队中，我们基本上使用强大的激光/等离子体工具在受控的实验条件下分解(原子/分子水平的)固体物质，目的是有预谋地引导其重新组装成具有不同结构的纳米实体，展示出全新的行为。一旦形成，我们就拥有了所需的专业知识，通过最先进的表征技术来探索这些新型NHS的纳米结构和特性。最终目标是将NHS的独特特性应用到创新设备中。通过利用我的专业知识和成功的研究成果，我将继续领导一项雄心勃勃的研究计划，其具体目标是：(I)通过独创的等离子体/激光加工策略，合成由碳纳米管、硅或二氧化钛纳米线组成的新型NHS，并在局部修饰适当的纳米粒子(Ag、Au、PbS、CZTS)。重点将集中在了解这些NHS的生长/自组装机制，特别是在等离子体/激光过程的非平衡生长条件下；(Ii)研究这些NHS的结构和光电子(OE)特性，以优化其光转换效率。了解这些OE特性和NHS的纳米结构特征以及它们相关的光电荷动力学之间的关系是我们研究的核心。这也将使这些国民健康保险制度的全部潜力得以充分发挥，使之成为极其高效的太阳能电池和/或在阳光直射下用于水净化的高效光阳极；(Iii)利用这项研究的初步成果与加拿大工业界发展伙伴关系；以及最重要的是(Iv)继续出色完成我们的主要使命，即在战略领域(如纳米技术、清洁能源、安全水)为HQP提供高质量的培训，从而为加拿大未来的经济提供动力，并增强其国际竞争力。**

Nanostructured materials constitute interesting building blocks for the design and construction of novel nanohybrid assemblies, particularly for enhanced solar energy harvesting and photo-conversion applications. Due to the nanometer size and the high surface area of their constituents along with the various possibilities to assemble them into different nanoarchitectures, the nanohybrids (NHs) exhibit new and often unexpected properties. The study and optimisation of the properties of these novel NHs will undoubtedly reinforce our capacity to use nanotechnology based solutions to innovate in many areas, including the strategic fields of solar energy conversion and water quality preservation. Central to this innovation is, on one hand, mastering the synthesis and assembly of these NHs and, on the other hand, fundamental understanding of the nanostructure-property inter-relationships of the NHs. In my group, we basically use powerful laser/plasma tools to decompose (at the atomic/molecular level) solid mater, under controlled experimental conditions, with the premeditated intent to guide its re-assembly into nanoscale entities with different architectures exhibiting completely new behaviors. Once formed, we have the required expertise to probe the nanostructure and properties of these novel NHs by means of state-of-the-art characterization techniques. The ultimate objective is to exploit the unique properties of NHs into innovative devices. By capitalizing on my expertise and successful research achievements, I will continue to lead an ambitious research program of which specific objectives are: (i) to synthesize novel NHs consisting of carbon nanotubes, silicon or TiO2  nanowires locally decorated with appropriate nanoparticles (Ag, Au, PbS, CZTS) by means of original plasma/laser processing strategies. Focus will be on the understanding of the growth/self-assembly mechanisms of these NHs, particularly in the non-equilibrium growth conditions of the plasma/laser processes; (ii) to study the structural and opto-electronic (OE) properties of these NHs in order to optimize their photo-conversion efficiency. Understanding the relationship between these OE properties and nanostructural characteristics of the NHs along with their associated photocharges dynamics is central to our research. This will also enable the exploitation of the full potential of these NHs into extremely-efficient solar cells and/or highly-effective photoanodes for water decontamination under direct sunlight; (iii) to capitalize on the first outcomes of this research to develop partnerships with Canadian industry; and most importantly (iv) to continue to excel in our primary mission of providing high-quality training to HQP in strategic areas (e.g., nanotechnology, clean energy, safe water) that will fuel up Canada's future economy and strengthen its international competitiveness.**