Laser nanofabricated metal nanoparticles for enhancing electro-optic devices

Start date

01 October 2008

End date

01 October 2011

Overview

Irradiation of thin metal films with moderate laser power is used to form metal nanoparticle coatings which can be used in electro-optical devices such as thin film solar cells and chemical sensors. The importance of this technique is the easy scalability, suitability for industrial production with no production of hazardous wastes.

Aims and objectives

Laser nanofabrication of size controlled metallic nanoparticles to enhance the efficiency of electro optic devices such as solar cells. Moreover use of laser nanostructuring to form nanoparticles in specific patterns on substrates for chemical sensors.

Funders

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

European Social Fund

Team

Investigators

Ravi Silva

Professor Ravi Silva

Director of Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) and Head of NanoElectronics Centre

See profile

Michail Beliatis

Postgraduate Research Student

Collaborations

NPL, Alphasense Ltd., TEI Crete (Greece), FORTH Crete (Greece).

Outputs

Publications

  • Michail J. Beliatis, Simon J. Henley, and S. Ravi P. Silva, “Engineering the plasmon resonance of large area bi-metallic nanoparticle films by laser nanostructuring for chemical sensors” Optics Letters, 2011, 36 (8), 1362-1364.
  • Michail J. Beliatis, N. A. Martin, E. J. Leming, S. R. P. Silva, and S. J. Henley, "Laser Ablation Direct Writing of Metal Nanoparticles for Hydrogen and Humidity Sensors" Langmuir, 2011, 27 (3), 1241-1244.

Presentations

  • “Synthesis and printing of metal nanoparticles with Excimer laser on functional dielectric hosts for multicoloured plasmonic optoelectronics and chemical sensors” at 2011 S2K.
  • "Laser Nanostructured Substrates for Plasmonic Enhancement and Energy Conversion in Organic Photovoltaics" at 2011 E-MRS *AWARD.*
  • "Excimer laser synthesis of metal nanoparticles on functional dielectric hosts for multicoloured patterning and plasmonic chemical sensors" at 2011 E-MRS.
  • “Tuning the surface plasmon resonance of metal nanoparticles” at Nano-Electronics Center 2010.
  • “One step Laser nano-pattering for environmental sensors” at Nanomaterials Conference 2010.
  • “Laser writing of nanoparticle based sensors” at Nano-Electronics Center 2009.
  • “High precision laser direct writing of nanoparticle vapour sensors” at 2009 E-MRS *AWARD.*

Results

Successfully demonstrated fabrication of metal nanoparticles on ceramic and polymers substrate materials with control over their size, optical and electrical properties. Incorporation into organic solar cells enhanced their power conversation. Furthermore use of them into chemical sensors increased their sensitivity.