Electrically and Optically Active Nanostructures and Interfaces

纳米级结构的晶体材料表现出与体晶体不同的低维（1D和2D）特性。在过去，约束效应引发了重要的科学突破，从而导致了重要的技术，如固态激光器、晶体管、二极管等。一维和二维纳米结构中的量子约束效应已被用于调节材料的带隙能量，改善其导电性和导热性，增强光-物质相互作用，甚至诱导选择性催化。然而，纳米结构固有的巨大表面体积比加剧了小扰动的影响，并在电子器件中产生寄生行为。使用最先进的成像和光谱工具，该计划旨在进一步探索纳米材料的物理特性，并更具体地研究发生在其表面和界面上的化学现象。

Crystalline materials structured at the nanometer-scale exhibit low-dimensional (1D and 2D) properties that are distinct from that of bulk crystals. The effects of confinement have triggered in the past important scientific breakthroughs, which led to important technologies, such as, the solid-state laser, the transistor, the diode and so forth. Quantum confinement effects in 1D and 2D nanostructures has been used to tune the bandgap energy of materials, improve their electrical and thermal conductivities, enhance light-matter interaction, and even induce selective catalysis. The huge surface to volume ratio inherent to nanostructures exacerbates, however, the influence of small perturbations and creates parasitic behaviours in electronic devices. Using the most advanced imaging and spectroscopic tools, this program aims to explore further the physical properties of nanomaterials and study more specifically chemical phenomena taking place at their surfaces and interfaces. Exfoliated black-Phosphorus (bP), graphene, nanotubes (CNTs and BNNTs), and more complex structures made of these building blocks (hybrid nanostructures) will be investigated through projects involving chemical functionalization, 1D optical nanoprobes, 2D membranes and nanodevices. More specifically, these projects will target few main areas of research: 1) Develop optical Raman and fluorescence nanoprobes made of dyes encapsulated in nanotubes for applications in hyperspectral imaging of chemical processes, including remote pH sensing; 2) Explore the properties of exfoliated black phosphorus and functionalized graphene films and membranes; 3) Develop a device concept with graphene film having large dimensions (cm scale) to amplify optical responses in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum; 4) Explore field-emitting electron sources based on tunnelling principles for electron microscopy and spectroscopy. This program will develop nanodevices and hybrid nanostructures using processes developed in the lab of the applicant combined with other techniques borrowed from surface chemistry and microelectronics.The proposed projects are multidisciplinary in nature and blend concepts borrowed from surface and interface of materials, nanoscience, and solid-state chemistry and physics. Though this experimental research, the applicant will advance the basic knowledge on interfacial chemistry at the nanometer scale and challenge the limits of sensing and resolution using the electrons as a probe. More importantly, this program is designed to serve as the main training platform to develop highly qualified personnel for the area of electronic materials and device fabrication.