Pulsed laser synthesis of functional nanomaterials

Start date

03 November 2008

End date

02 August 2012

Overview

Focused, pulsed laser light with short wavelengths is absorbed in a thin surface region for the majority of materials, allowing melting and vaporisation at the focal point. This forms the basis of a very versatile material deposition and modification system. This research concentrates on new techniques for using these high power, short pulsed, lasers for the production of technologically relevant nanomaterials, such as nanofoams, nanocoils and nanotubes.

Aims and objectives

This project aims to investigate techniques using high-power, short-pulsed lasers for the production of important nanomaterials, including nanoclusters, nanotubes and nanorods of carbon and zinc oxide, with controllable electrical and optical properties. We will be addressing a full range of challenges, from obtaining a fundamental understanding of the growth processes to producing physical, chemical and biological sensors based on the products.

Funder

EPSRC -EP/F048068/1

Team

Investigator

Ravi Silva

Professor Ravi Silva

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

See profile

Collaborations

  • Prof. Michael Ashfold (School of Chemistry, University of Bristol).

Outputs

  • S. J. Henley, J. Fryar, K. D. G. I. Jayawardena, S. R. P. Silva, “Laser-assisted hydrothermal growth of size-controlled ZnO nanorods”, Nanotechnology, 21, 365502 (2010).
  • K.D.G.I. Jayawardena, Y.Y. Tan, J. Fryar, H. Shiozawa, S.R.P. Silva, S.J. Henley, G.M. Fuge, B.S. Truscott and M.N.R. Ashfold, “Highly conductive nano-clustered carbon:nickel films grown by pulsed laser deposition” Carbon (in press) (2011).
  • K. D. G. I. Jayawardena, C. Opoku, J. Fryar, S. R. P. Silva, S. J. Henley, “Excimer laser accelerated hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals & their electrical properties” Appl. Surf. Sci., 257, 5274, (2010).
  • K. D. G. I. Jayawardena, J. Fryar, S. R. P. Silva and S. J. Henley, “Morphology Control of Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals via Hybrid Laser/Hydrothermal Synthesis", J. Phys. Chem. C,. 114, 12931 (2010).

Results

We have fabricated mixed carbon/nickel highly conductive nano-clustered coatings by laser ablation and used these as environmental sensors and as electrodes for X-ray detectors. We have shown that laser irradiation in solution is a rapid method of producing size and morphology controlled ZnO nanocrystals and have investigated their gas sensing properties.

We have performed extensive plume characterisation measurements using the ultra-fast imaging and spectroscopy facilities established as part of this grant and have proposed new mechanisms controlling the mixing of elements during clustering after laser ablation in background gases.