Manipulation and Investigation of Uniformly-Spaced Nanowire Array on a Substrate via Dielectrophoresis and Electrostatic Interaction.

PubMed

Choi, U Hyeok; Park, Ji Hun; Kim, Jaekyun

2018-06-21

Directed-assembly of nanowires on the dielectrics-covered parallel electrode structure is capable of producing uniformly-spaced nanowire array at the electrode gap due to dielectrophoretic nanowire attraction and electrostatic nanowire repulsion. Beyond uniformly-spaced nanowire array formation, the control of spacing in the array is beneficial in that it should be the experimental basis of the precise positioning of functional nanowires on a circuit. Here, we investigate the material parameters and bias conditions to modulate the nanowire spacing in the ordered array, where the nanowire array formation is readily attained due to the electrostatic nanowire interaction. A theoretical model for the force calculation and the simulation of the induced charge in the assembled nanowire verifies that the longer nanowires on thicker dielectric layer tend to be assembled with a larger pitch due to the stronger nanowire-nanowire electrostatic repulsion, which is consistent with the experimental results. It was claimed that the stronger dielectrophoretic force is likely to attract more nanowires that are suspended in solution at the electrode gap, causing them to be less-spaced. Thus, we propose a generic mechanism, competition of dielectrophoretic and electrostatic force, to determine the nanowire pitch in an ordered array. Furthermore, this spacing-controlled nanowire array offers a way to fabricate the high-density nanodevice array without nanowire registration.

Electrical quadruple hysteresis in Pd-doped vanadium pentoxide nanowires due to water adsorption

PubMed Central

Kim, Byung Hoon; Oh, Soon-Young; Yu, Han Young; Hong, Won G; Yun, Yong Ju; Kim, Yark Yeon; Kim, Hae Jin

2010-01-01

Humidity-dependent current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of Pd-doped vanadium pentoxide nanowires (Pd-VONs) were investigated. Electrical quadruple hysteresis (QH) was observed and attributed to the large amount of water molecules adsorbed on the nanowires. Using QH in Pd-VONs, the reaction of water with PdO was interpreted as the water molecules are desorbed and then dissociated with increasing bias voltage. Owing to the dissociated H+ and OH− ions, PdO is reduced and oxidized. As a result, water molecules recombine as the bias voltage is decreased. PMID:27877370

Comparative study of absorption in tilted silicon nanowire arrays for photovoltaics

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Silicon nanowire arrays have been shown to demonstrate light trapping properties and promising potential for next-generation photovoltaics. In this paper, we show that the absorption enhancement in vertical nanowire arrays on a perfectly electric conductor can be further improved through tilting. Vertical nanowire arrays have a 66.2% improvement in ultimate efficiency over an ideal double-pass thin film of the equivalent amount of material. Tilted nanowire arrays, with the same amount of material, exhibit improved performance over vertical nanowire arrays across a broad range of tilt angles (from 38° to 72°). The optimum tilt of 53° has an improvement of 8.6% over that of vertical nanowire arrays and 80.4% over that of the ideal double-pass thin film. Tilted nanowire arrays exhibit improved absorption over the solar spectrum compared with vertical nanowires since the tilt allows for the excitation of additional modes besides the HE 1m modes that are excited at normal incidence. We also observed that tilted nanowire arrays have improved performance over vertical nanowire arrays for a large range of incidence angles (under about 60°). PMID:25435833

Comparative study of absorption in tilted silicon nanowire arrays for photovoltaics.

PubMed

Kayes, Md Imrul; Leu, Paul W

2014-01-01

Silicon nanowire arrays have been shown to demonstrate light trapping properties and promising potential for next-generation photovoltaics. In this paper, we show that the absorption enhancement in vertical nanowire arrays on a perfectly electric conductor can be further improved through tilting. Vertical nanowire arrays have a 66.2% improvement in ultimate efficiency over an ideal double-pass thin film of the equivalent amount of material. Tilted nanowire arrays, with the same amount of material, exhibit improved performance over vertical nanowire arrays across a broad range of tilt angles (from 38° to 72°). The optimum tilt of 53° has an improvement of 8.6% over that of vertical nanowire arrays and 80.4% over that of the ideal double-pass thin film. Tilted nanowire arrays exhibit improved absorption over the solar spectrum compared with vertical nanowires since the tilt allows for the excitation of additional modes besides the HE 1m modes that are excited at normal incidence. We also observed that tilted nanowire arrays have improved performance over vertical nanowire arrays for a large range of incidence angles (under about 60°).

Fabrication of functional ultrathin single-crystal nanowires from quasi-one dimensional van der Waals crystals Ta2(Pd or Pt)3Se8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xue; Liu, Jinyu; Hu, Jin; Yue, Chunlei; Mao, Zhiqiang; Wei, Jiang; Zhu, Yibo; Sanchez, Ana; Antipina, Liubov; Sorokin, Pavel

Micromechanical exfoliation or wet exfoliation of two-dimensional van der Waals materials has triggered an explosive interest in 2D material research. In our work, we extend this idea to 1D van der Waals material. By using micromechanical exfoliation or wet exfoliation, 1D nanowire with size as small as six molecular ribbons can be readily achieved in the Ta2(Pd or Pt)3Se8 system. The semiconducting properties of exfoliated Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowires show n-type, whereas Ta2Pt3Se8 nanowires are p-type. Our electronic band structure calculation for Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire reveals that from multi-ribbon to single-ribbon the band gap evolves from indirect 0.5eV in bulk to direct 1eV in single-ribbon. A functional ``NOT'' gate consisting of field-effect transistors based on these two types of complementary nanowires has also been successfully realized. Moreover, the photocurrent response of Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire transistors has been studied as well. Ta2(Pd or Pt)3Se8 system, as an intrinsic quasi-1D material, provides a viable platform for the study of low dimensional condensed matter physics. We acknowledge the financial support from DOE and BoRSF.

Direct electrodeposition of porous gold nanowire arrays for biosensing applications.

PubMed

Zhang, Xinyi; Li, Dan; Bourgeois, Laure; Wang, Huanting; Webley, Paul A

2009-02-02

Nanochannel alumina templates are used as templates for fabrication of porous gold nanowire arrays by a direct electrodeposition method. After modification with glucose oxidase, a porous gold nanowire-array electrode is shown to be an excellent electrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose. The picture shows an SEM image of a nanowire array after removal of the alumina template by acid dissolution. We report the fabrication of porous gold nanowire arrays by means of a one-step electrodeposition method utilizing nanochannel alumina templates. The microstructure of gold nanowires depends strongly on the current density. The formation of porous gold nanowires is attributed to disperse crystallization under conditions of low nucleation rate. Interfacial electron transport through the porous gold nanowires is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetric studies on the porous gold nanowire arrays reveal a low-potential electrocatalytic response towards hydrogen peroxide. The properties of the glucose oxidase modified porous gold nanowire array electrode are elucidated and compared with those of nonporous enzyme electrodes. The glucose oxidase modified porous gold nanowire-array electrode is shown to be an excellent electrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose.

Cu assisted synthesis of self-supported PdCu alloy nanowires with enhanced performances toward ethylene glycol electrooxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Bo; Xu, Hui; Zhang, Ke; Li, Shujin; Wang, Jin; Shi, Yuting; Du, Yukou

2018-03-01

Self-supported PdCu alloy nanowires fabricated by a facile one-pot method have been reported, which copper assists in the morphological transformation from graininess to nanowires. The copper incorporated with palladium to form alloy structures cannot only cut down the usage of noble metal but also enhance their catalytic performances. The catalysts with self-supported structure and proper ratio of palladium to copper show great activity and long-term stability for the electrooxidation of ethylene glycol in alkaline solution. Especially for Pd43Cu57, its mass activity reaches to 5570.83 mA mg-1, which is 3.12 times as high as commercial Pd/C. This study highlights an accessible strategy to prepare self-supported PdCu alloy nanowires and their potential applications in renewable energy fields.

A palladium-doped ceria@carbon core-sheath nanowire network: a promising catalyst support for alcohol electrooxidation reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Qiang; Du, Chunyu; Sun, Yongrong; Du, Lei; Yin, Geping; Gao, Yunzhi

2015-08-01

A novel palladium-doped ceria and carbon core-sheath nanowire network (Pd-CeO2@C CSNWN) is synthesized by a template-free and surfactant-free solvothermal process, followed by high temperature carbonization. This hierarchical network serves as a new class of catalyst support to enhance the activity and durability of noble metal catalysts for alcohol oxidation reactions. Its supported Pd nanoparticles, Pd/(Pd-CeO2@C CSNWN), exhibit >9 fold increase in activity toward the ethanol oxidation over the state-of-the-art Pd/C catalyst, which is the highest among the reported Pd systems. Moreover, stability tests show a virtually unchanged activity after 1000 cycles. The high activity is mainly attributed to the superior oxygen-species releasing capability of Pd-doped CeO2 nanowires by accelerating the removal of the poisoning intermediate. The unique interconnected one-dimensional core-sheath structure is revealed to facilitate immobilization of the metal catalysts, leading to the improved durability. This core-sheath nanowire network opens up a new strategy for catalyst performance optimization for next-generation fuel cells.A novel palladium-doped ceria and carbon core-sheath nanowire network (Pd-CeO2@C CSNWN) is synthesized by a template-free and surfactant-free solvothermal process, followed by high temperature carbonization. This hierarchical network serves as a new class of catalyst support to enhance the activity and durability of noble metal catalysts for alcohol oxidation reactions. Its supported Pd nanoparticles, Pd/(Pd-CeO2@C CSNWN), exhibit >9 fold increase in activity toward the ethanol oxidation over the state-of-the-art Pd/C catalyst, which is the highest among the reported Pd systems. Moreover, stability tests show a virtually unchanged activity after 1000 cycles. The high activity is mainly attributed to the superior oxygen-species releasing capability of Pd-doped CeO2 nanowires by accelerating the removal of the poisoning intermediate. The unique interconnected one-dimensional core-sheath structure is revealed to facilitate immobilization of the metal catalysts, leading to the improved durability. This core-sheath nanowire network opens up a new strategy for catalyst performance optimization for next-generation fuel cells. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr03023d

A palladium-doped ceria@carbon core-sheath nanowire network: a promising catalyst support for alcohol electrooxidation reactions.

PubMed

Tan, Qiang; Du, Chunyu; Sun, Yongrong; Du, Lei; Yin, Geping; Gao, Yunzhi

2015-08-28

A novel palladium-doped ceria and carbon core-sheath nanowire network (Pd-CeO2@C CSNWN) is synthesized by a template-free and surfactant-free solvothermal process, followed by high temperature carbonization. This hierarchical network serves as a new class of catalyst support to enhance the activity and durability of noble metal catalysts for alcohol oxidation reactions. Its supported Pd nanoparticles, Pd/(Pd-CeO2@C CSNWN), exhibit >9 fold increase in activity toward the ethanol oxidation over the state-of-the-art Pd/C catalyst, which is the highest among the reported Pd systems. Moreover, stability tests show a virtually unchanged activity after 1000 cycles. The high activity is mainly attributed to the superior oxygen-species releasing capability of Pd-doped CeO2 nanowires by accelerating the removal of the poisoning intermediate. The unique interconnected one-dimensional core-sheath structure is revealed to facilitate immobilization of the metal catalysts, leading to the improved durability. This core-sheath nanowire network opens up a new strategy for catalyst performance optimization for next-generation fuel cells.

PdM (M = Pt, Au) bimetallic alloy nanowires with enhanced electrocatalytic activity for electro-oxidation of small molecules.

PubMed

Zhu, Chengzhou; Guo, Shaojun; Dong, Shaojun

2012-05-02

A facile and general method has been developed to synthesize well-defined PdPt and PdAu alloy nanowires, which exhibit significantly enhanced activity towards small molecules, such as ethanol, methanol, and glucose electro-oxidation in an alkaline medium. Considering the important role of one-dimensional alloy nanowires in electrocatalytic systems, the present Pd-based alloy nanostructures could offer a promising new class of advanced electrocatalysts for direct alcohol fuel cells and electrochemical sensors. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The microstructure and magnetic properties of Cu/CuO/Ni core/multi-shell nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Feng; Shi, Jie; Zhang, Xiaofeng; Hao, Shijie; Liu, Yinong; Feng, Chun; Cui, Lishan

2018-04-01

Multifunctional metal/oxide/metal core/multi-shell nanowire arrays were prepared mostly by physical or chemical vapor deposition. In our study, the Cu/CuO/Ni core/multi-shell nanowire arrays were prepared by AAO template-electrodeposition and oxidation processes. The Cu/Ni core/shell nanowire arrays were prepared by AAO template-electrodeposition method. The microstructure and chemical compositions of the core/multi-shell nanowires and core/shell nanowires have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy with HADDF-STEM and X-ray diffraction. Magnetization measurements revealed that the Cu/CuO/Ni and Cu/Ni nanowire arrays have high coercivity and remanence ratio.

Multi-functional ultrathin Pd xCu 1-x and Pt~Pd xCu 1-x one-dimensional nanowire motifs for various small molecule oxidation reactions

DOE PAGES

Liu, Haiqing; Wong, Stanislaus S.; Adzic, Radoslav R.

2015-11-18

Developing novel electrocatalysts for small molecule oxidation processes, including formic acid oxidation (FAOR), methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), denoting the key anodic reactions for their respective fuel cell configurations, is a significant and relevant theme of recent efforts in the field. Herein, in this report, we demonstrated a concerted effort to couple and combine the benefits of small size, anisotropic morphology, and tunable chemical composition in order to devise a novel “family” of functional architectures. In particular, we have fabricated not only ultrathin 1-D Pd 1–xCu x alloys but also Pt-coated Pd 1–xCu x (i.e., Pt~Pdmore » 1–xCu x; herein the ~ indicates an intimate association, but not necessarily actual bond formation, between the inner bimetallic core and the Pt outer shell) core–shell hierarchical nanostructures with readily tunable chemical compositions by utilizing a facile, surfactant-based, wet chemical synthesis coupled with a Cu underpotential deposition technique. Our main finding is that our series of as-prepared nanowires are functionally flexible. More precisely, we demonstrate that various examples within this “family” of structural motifs can be tailored for exceptional activity with all 3 of these important electrocatalytic reactions. In particular, we note that our series of Pd 1–xCu x nanowires all exhibit enhanced FAOR activities as compared with not only analogous Pd ultrathin nanowires but also commercial Pt and Pd standards, with Pd 9Cu representing the “optimal” composition. Moreover, our group of Pt~Pd 1–xCu x nanowires consistently outperformed not only commercial Pt NPs but also ultrathin Pt nanowires by several fold orders of magnitude for both the MOR and EOR reactions in alkaline media. As a result, the variation of the MOR and EOR performance with the chemical composition of our ultrathin Pt~Pd 1–xCu x nanowires was also discussed.« less

Enhanced photovoltaic performance of an inclined nanowire array solar cell.

PubMed

Wu, Yao; Yan, Xin; Zhang, Xia; Ren, Xiaomin

2015-11-30

An innovative solar cell based on inclined p-i-n nanowire array is designed and analyzed. The results show that the inclined geometry can sufficiently increase the conversion efficiency of solar cells by enhancing the absorption of light in the active region. By tuning the nanowire array density, nanowire diameter, nanowire length, as well as the proportion of intrinsic region of the inclined nanowire solar cell, a remarkable efficiency in excess of 16% can be obtained in GaAs. Similar results have been obtained in InP and Si nanowire solar cells, demonstrating the universality of the performance enhancement of inclined nanowire arrays.

High temperature in-situ observations of multi-segmented metal nanowires encapsulated within carbon nanotubes by in-situ filling technique.

PubMed

Hayashi, Yasuhiko; Tokunaga, Tomoharu; Iijima, Toru; Iwata, Takuya; Kalita, Golap; Tanemura, Masaki; Sasaki, Katsuhiro; Kuroda, Kotaro

2012-08-08

Multi-segmented one-dimensional metal nanowires were encapsulated within carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through in-situ filling technique during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and environmental TEM were employed to characterize the as-prepared sample at room temperature and high temperature. The selected area electron diffractions revealed that the Pd4Si nanowire and face-centered-cubic Co nanowire on top of the Pd nanowire were encapsulated within the bottom and tip parts of the multiwall CNT, respectively. Although the strain-induced deformation of graphite walls was observed, the solid-state phases of Pd4Si and Co-Pd remain even at above their expected melting temperatures and up to 1,550 ± 50°C. Finally, the encapsulated metals were melted and flowed out from the tip of the CNT after 2 h at the same temperature due to the increase of internal pressure of the CNT.

Joule heating a palladium nanowire sensor for accelerated response and recovery to hydrogen gas.

PubMed

Yang, Fan; Taggart, David K; Penner, Reginald M

2010-07-05

The properties of a single heated palladium (Pd) nanowire for the detection of hydrogen gas (H(2)) are explored. In these experiments, a Pd nanowire, 48-98 microm in length, performs three functions in parallel: 1) Joule self-heating is used to elevate the nanowire temperature by up to 128 K, 2) the 4-contact wire resistance in the absence of H(2) is used to measure its temperature, and 3) the nanowire resistance in the presence of H(2) is correlated with its concentration, allowing it to function as a H(2) sensor. Compared with the room-temperature response of a Pd nanowire, the response of the heated nanowire to hydrogen is altered in two ways: First, the resistance change (DeltaR/R(0)) induced by H(2) exposure at any concentration is reduced by a factor of up to 30 and second, the rate of the resistance change - observed at the beginning ("response") and at the end ("recovery") of a pulse of H(2) - is increased by more than a factor of 50 at some H(2) concentrations. Heating nearly eliminates the retardation of response and recovery seen from 1-2% H(2), caused by the alpha --> beta phase transition of PdH(x), a pronounced effect for nanowires at room temperature. The activation energies associated with sensor response and recovery are measured and interpreted.

Nanowire sensor, sensor array, and method for making the same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Homer, Margie (Inventor); Fleurial, Jean-Pierre (Inventor); Bugga, Ratnakumar (Inventor); Vasquez, Richard (Inventor); Yun, Minhee (Inventor); Myung, Nosang (Inventor); Choi, Daniel (Inventor); Goddard, William (Inventor); Ryan, Margaret (Inventor); Yen, Shiao-Pin (Inventor)

2012-01-01

The present invention relates to a nanowire sensor and method for forming the same. More specifically, the nanowire sensor comprises at least one nanowire formed on a substrate, with a sensor receptor disposed on a surface of the nanowire, thereby forming a receptor-coated nanowire. The nanowire sensor can be arranged as a sensor sub-unit comprising a plurality of homogeneously receptor-coated nanowires. A plurality of sensor subunits can be formed to collectively comprise a nanowire sensor array. Each sensor subunit in the nanowire sensor array can be formed to sense a different stimulus, allowing a user to sense a plurality of stimuli. Additionally, each sensor subunit can be formed to sense the same stimuli through different aspects of the stimulus. The sensor array is fabricated through a variety of techniques, such as by creating nanopores on a substrate and electrodepositing nanowires within the nanopores.

Electrodeposited highly-ordered manganese oxide nanowire arrays for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Haifeng; Lu, Bingqiang; Wei, Shuiqiang; Bao, Mi; Wen, Yanxuan; Wang, Fan

2012-07-01

Large arrays of well-aligned Mn oxide nanowires were prepared by electrodeposition using anodic aluminum oxide templates. The sizes of nanowires were tuned by varying the electrotype solution involved and the MnO2 nanowires with 10 μm in length were obtained in a neutral KMnO4 bath for 1 h. MnO2 nanowire arrays grown on conductor substance save the tedious electrode-making process, and electrochemical characterization demonstrates that the MnO2 nanowire arrays electrode has good capacitive behavior. Due to the limited mass transportation in narrow spacing, the spacing effects between the neighbor nanowires have show great influence to the electrochemical performance.

Novel gradient-diameter magnetic nanowire arrays with unconventional magnetic anisotropy behaviors.

PubMed

Wang, Jing; Zuo, Zhili; Huang, Liang; Warsi, Muhammad Asif; Xiao, John Q; Hu, Jun

2018-06-21

Fe-Co-Ni gradient-diameter magnetic nanowire arrays were fabricated via direct-current electrodeposition into a tapered anodic aluminium oxide template. In contrast to the magnetic behaviors of uniform-diameter nanowire arrays, these arrays exhibited tailorable magnetic anisotropy that can be used to switch magnetic nanowires easily and unconventional temperature-dependent coercivity with much better thermal stability.

Toward optimized light utilization in nanowire arrays using scalable nanosphere lithography and selected area growth.

PubMed

Madaria, Anuj R; Yao, Maoqing; Chi, Chunyung; Huang, Ningfeng; Lin, Chenxi; Li, Ruijuan; Povinelli, Michelle L; Dapkus, P Daniel; Zhou, Chongwu

2012-06-13

Vertically aligned, catalyst-free semiconducting nanowires hold great potential for photovoltaic applications, in which achieving scalable synthesis and optimized optical absorption simultaneously is critical. Here, we report combining nanosphere lithography (NSL) and selected area metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (SA-MOCVD) for the first time for scalable synthesis of vertically aligned gallium arsenide nanowire arrays, and surprisingly, we show that such nanowire arrays with patterning defects due to NSL can be as good as highly ordered nanowire arrays in terms of optical absorption and reflection. Wafer-scale patterning for nanowire synthesis was done using a polystyrene nanosphere template as a mask. Nanowires grown from substrates patterned by NSL show similar structural features to those patterned using electron beam lithography (EBL). Reflection of photons from the NSL-patterned nanowire array was used as a measure of the effect of defects present in the structure. Experimentally, we show that GaAs nanowires as short as 130 nm show reflection of <10% over the visible range of the solar spectrum. Our results indicate that a highly ordered nanowire structure is not necessary: despite the "defects" present in NSL-patterned nanowire arrays, their optical performance is similar to "defect-free" structures patterned by more costly, time-consuming EBL methods. Our scalable approach for synthesis of vertical semiconducting nanowires can have application in high-throughput and low-cost optoelectronic devices, including solar cells.

Photovoltaic Performance of a Nanowire/Quantum Dot Hybrid Nanostructure Array Solar Cell.

PubMed

Wu, Yao; Yan, Xin; Zhang, Xia; Ren, Xiaomin

2018-02-23

An innovative solar cell based on a nanowire/quantum dot hybrid nanostructure array is designed and analyzed. By growing multilayer InAs quantum dots on the sidewalls of GaAs nanowires, not only the absorption spectrum of GaAs nanowires is extended by quantum dots but also the light absorption of quantum dots is dramatically enhanced due to the light-trapping effect of the nanowire array. By incorporating five layers of InAs quantum dots into a 500-nm high-GaAs nanowire array, the power conversion efficiency enhancement induced by the quantum dots is six times higher than the power conversion efficiency enhancement in thin-film solar cells which contain the same amount of quantum dots, indicating that the nanowire array structure can benefit the photovoltaic performance of quantum dot solar cells.

Photovoltaic Performance of a Nanowire/Quantum Dot Hybrid Nanostructure Array Solar Cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yao; Yan, Xin; Zhang, Xia; Ren, Xiaomin

2018-02-01

An innovative solar cell based on a nanowire/quantum dot hybrid nanostructure array is designed and analyzed. By growing multilayer InAs quantum dots on the sidewalls of GaAs nanowires, not only the absorption spectrum of GaAs nanowires is extended by quantum dots but also the light absorption of quantum dots is dramatically enhanced due to the light-trapping effect of the nanowire array. By incorporating five layers of InAs quantum dots into a 500-nm high-GaAs nanowire array, the power conversion efficiency enhancement induced by the quantum dots is six times higher than the power conversion efficiency enhancement in thin-film solar cells which contain the same amount of quantum dots, indicating that the nanowire array structure can benefit the photovoltaic performance of quantum dot solar cells.

Facile synthesis of palladium nanoparticle doped polyaniline nanowires in soft templates for catalytic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kshirasagar, Krushna J.; Markad, Uddhav S.; Saha, Abhijit; Sharma, Kiran Kumar K.; Sharma, Geeta K.

2017-02-01

Palladium nanoparticles doped polyaniline (Pd-PANI) nanocomposite (NCs) is synthesized in surfactant based liquid crystalline mesophase by chemical oxidation followed by radiolysis. The confinement of the liquid crystalline mesophase facilitates polymerization of aniline monomers and their 1D growth into polyaniline (PANI) nanowires by using ammonium persulfate. The PANI nanowires have an average diameter of 30-40 nm. The in situ radiolytic reduction of palladium ions ensures uniform size distribution of the palladium (Pd) nanoparticles on the surface of the PANI nanowires. The synthesized Pd-PANI nanocomposites show wire like structures of PANI (diameter ~30-40 nm) on which Pd nanoparticles of the size 10 nm are decorated. The identical average diameter of the PANI nanowires before and post gamma irradiation suggest high stability of the PANI nanowires in liquid crystalline mesophase. Surface characterization of the NCs were carried out using BET and XPS. The catalytic activity of Pd-PANI NCs are investigated in the reduction of methylene blue (MB) and 4-nitro phenol (4-NP) by sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The kinetics of the Pd-PANI NCs catalysed reactions are analysed using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. The apparent rate constant (k app) for the MB and 4-NP reduction reactions is 29  ×  10-3 s-1 and 20  ×  10-3 s-1 respectively with an actual Pd catalyst loading of 2.665  ×  10-4 ppm. Further, the recyclability of the Pd-PANI NCs catalyst in both the reduction reactions shows the stability of the catalyst up to four reaction cycles tested in this investigation and the multifunctional nature of the catalyst. The study provides a new approach for the directional synthesis of conducting polymer-metal nanocomposites and their possible application as a nanocatalyst in environmental remediation.

Ultra-fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of long vertically aligned ZnO nanowires for dye-sensitized solar cell application.

PubMed

Mahpeykar, S M; Koohsorkhi, J; Ghafoori-Fard, H

2012-04-27

Long vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays were synthesized using an ultra-fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal process. Using this method, we were able to grow ZnO nanowire arrays at an average growth rate as high as 200 nm min(-1) for maximum microwave power level. This method does not suffer from the growth stoppage problem at long growth times that, according to our investigations, a normal microwave-assisted hydrothermal method suffers from. Longitudinal growth of the nanowire arrays was investigated as a function of microwave power level and growth time using cross-sectional FESEM images of the grown arrays. Effect of seed layer on the alignment of nanowires was also studied. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed c-axis orientation and single-phase wurtzite structure of the nanowires. J-V curves of the fabricated ZnO nanowire-based mercurochrome-sensitized solar cells indicated that the short-circuit current density is increased with increasing the length of the nanowire array. According to the UV-vis spectra of the dyes detached from the cells, these increments were mainly attributed to the enlarged internal surface area and therefore dye loading enhancement in the lengthened nanowire arrays.

Angle-dependent photodegradation over ZnO nanowire arrays on flexible paper substrates

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

In this study, we grew zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire arrays on paper substrates using a two-step growth strategy. In the first step, we formed single-crystalline ZnO nanoparticles of uniform size distribution (ca. 4 nm) as seeds for the hydrothermal growth of the ZnO nanowire arrays. After spin-coating of these seeds onto paper, we grew ZnO nanowire arrays conformally on these substrates. The crystal structure of a ZnO nanowire revealed that the nanowires were single-crystalline and had grown along the c axis. Further visualization through annular bright field scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed that the hydrothermally grown ZnO nanowires possessed Zn polarity. From photocatalytic activity measurements of the ZnO nanowire (NW) arrays on paper substrate, we extracted rate constants of 0.415, 0.244, 0.195, and 0.08 s-1 for the degradation of methylene blue at incident angles of 0°, 30°, 60°, and 75°, respectively; that is, the photocatalytic activity of these ZnO nanowire arrays was related to the cosine of the incident angle of the UV light. Accordingly, these materials have promising applications in the design of sterilization systems and light-harvesting devices. PMID:25593556

Uniaxial Magnetization Performance of Textured Fe Nanowire Arrays Electrodeposited by a Pulsed Potential Deposition Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neetzel, C.; Ohgai, T.; Yanai, T.; Nakano, M.; Fukunaga, H.

2017-11-01

Textured ferromagnetic Fe nanowire arrays were electrodeposited using a rectangular-pulsed potential deposition technique into anodized aluminum oxide nanochannels. During the electrodeposition of Fe nanowire arrays at a cathodic potential of - 1.2 V, the growth rate of the nanowires was ca. 200 nm s-1. The aspect ratio of Fe nanowires with a diameter of 30 ± 5 nm reached ca. 2000. The long axis of Fe nanowires corresponded with the <200> direction when a large overpotential during the on-time pulse was applied, whereas it orientated to the <110> direction under the potentiostatic condition with a small overpotential. By shifting the on-time cathode potential up to - 1.8 V, the texture coefficient for the (200) plane, TC200, reached up to 1.94. Perpendicular magnetization performance was observed in Fe nanowire arrays. With increasing TC200, the squareness of Fe nanowire arrays increased up to 0.95 with the coercivity maintained at 1.4 kOe at room temperature. This research result has opened a novel possibility of Fe nanowire arrays that can be applied for a new permanent magnetic material without rare-earth metals.

Performance of ethanol electro-oxidation on Ni-Cu alloy nanowires through composition modulation.

PubMed

Tian, Xi-Ke; Zhao, Xiao-Yu; Zhang, Li-de; Yang, Chao; Pi, Zhen-Bang; Zhang, Su-Xin

2008-05-28

To reduce the cost of the catalyst for direct ethanol fuel cells and improve its catalytic activity, highly ordered Ni-Cu alloy nanowire arrays have been fabricated successfully by differential pulse current electro-deposition into the pores of a porous anodic alumina membrane (AAMs). The energy dispersion spectrum, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to characterize the composition and morphology of the Ni-Cu alloy nanowire arrays. The results reveal that the nanowires in the array are uniform, well isolated and parallel to each other. The catalytic activity of the nanowire electrode arrays for ethanol oxidation was tested and the binary alloy nanowire array possesses good catalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of ethanol. The performance of ethanol electro-oxidation was controlled by varying the Cu content in the Ni-Cu alloy and the Ni-Cu alloy nanowire electrode shows much better stability than the pure Ni one.

CROSS-DISCIPLINARY PHYSICS AND RELATED AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: The effect of substrate on magnetic properties of Co/Cu multilayer nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Yong; Wang, Jian-Bo; Liu, Qing-Fang; Han, Xiang-Hua; Xue, De-Sheng

2009-08-01

Ordered Co/Cu multilayer nanowire arrays have been fabricated into anodic aluminium oxide templates with Ag and Cu substrate by direct current electrodeposition. This paper studies the morphology, structure and magnetic properties by transmission electron microscopy, selective area electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that both as-deposited nanowire arrays films exhibit face-centred cubic structure. Magnetic measurements indicate that the easy magnetization direction of Co/Cu multilayer nanowire arrays films on Ag substrate is perpendicular to the long axis of nanowire, whereas the easy magnetization direction of the sample with Cu substrate is parallel to the long axis of nanowire. The change of easy magnetization direction attributed to different substrates, and the magnetic properties of the nanowire arrays are discussed.

Multiscale Study of Plasmonic Scattering and Light Trapping Effect in Silicon Nanowire Array Solar Cells.

PubMed

Meng, Lingyi; Zhang, Yu; Yam, ChiYung

2017-02-02

Nanometallic structures that support surface plasmons provide new ways to confine light at deep-subwavelength scales. The effect of light scattering in nanowire array solar cells is studied by a multiscale approach combining classical electromagnetic (EM) and quantum mechanical simulations. A photovoltaic device is constructed by integrating a silicon nanowire array with a plasmonic silver nanosphere. The light scatterings by plasmonic element and nanowire array are obtained via classical EM simulations, while current-voltage characteristics and optical properties of the nanowire cells are evaluated quantum mechanically. We found that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of photovoltaic device is substantially improved due to the local field enhancement of the plasmonic effect and light trapping by the nanowire array. In addition, we showed that there exists an optimal nanowire number density in terms of optical confinement and solar cell PCE.

Synthesis and high catalytic properties of mesoporous Pt nanowire array by novel conjunct template method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Yi; Xu, Cai-Ling; Kong, Ling-Bin; Li, Hu-Lin

2008-12-01

A novel conjunct template method for fabricating mesoporous Pt nanowire array through direct current (DC) electrodeposition of Pt into the pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template on Ti/Si substrate from hexagonal structured lyotropic liquid crystalline phase is demonstrated in this paper. The morphology and structure of as-prepared Pt nanowire array are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrocatalytic properties of Pt nanowire array for methanol are also investigated in detail. The results indicate that Pt nanowire array has the unique mesoporous structure of approximate 40-50 nm in diameter, which resulted in the high surface area and greatly improved electrocatalytic activity for methanol. The mesoporous Pt nanowire array synthesized by the new conjunct template method has a very promising application in portable fuel cell power sources.

A force sensor using nanowire arrays to understand biofilm formation (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahoo, Prasana K.; Cavalli, Alessandro; Pelegati, Vitor B.; Murillo, Duber M.; Souza, Alessandra A.; Cesar, Carlos L.; Bakkers, Erik P. A. M.; Cotta, Monica A.

2016-03-01

Understanding the cellular signaling and function at the nano-bio interface can pave the way towards developing next-generation smart diagnostic tools. From this perspective, limited reports detail so far the cellular and subcellular forces exerted by bacterial cells during the interaction with abiotic materials. Nanowire arrays with high aspect ratio have been used to detect such small forces. In this regard, live force measurements were performed ex-vivo during the interaction of Xylella fastidiosa bacterial cells with InP nanowire arrays. The influence of nanowire array topography and surface chemistry on the response and motion of bacterial cells was studied in detail. The nanowire arrays were also functionalized with different cell adhesive promoters, such as amines and XadA1, an afimbrial protein of X.fastidiosa. By employing the well-defined InP nanowire arrays platform, and single cell confocal imaging system, we were able to trace the bacterial growth pattern, and show that their initial attachment locations are strongly influenced by the surface chemistry and nanoscale surface topography. In addition, we measure the cellular forces down to few nanonewton range using these nanowire arrays. In case of nanowire functionalized with XadA1, the force exerted by vertically and horizontally attached single bacteria on the nanowire is in average 14% and 26% higher than for the pristine array, respectively. These results provide an excellent basis for live-cell force measurements as well as unravel the range of forces involved during the early stages of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Piezo-phototronic UV/visible photosensing with optical-fiber-nanowire hybridized structures.

PubMed

Wang, Zhaona; Yu, Ruomeng; Pan, Caofeng; Liu, Ying; Ding, Yong; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-03-04

An optical-fiber-nanowire hybridized UV-visible photodetector (PD) is reported. The PD is designed to allow direct integration in optical communication systems without requiring the use of couplers via fiber-welding technology. The PD works in two modes: axial and off-axial illumination mode. By using the piezo-phototronic effect, the performance of the PD is enhanced/optimized by up to 718% in sensitivity and 2067% in photoresponsivity. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Large-scale fabrication of vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays

DOEpatents

Wang, Zhong L; Das, Suman; Xu, Sheng; Yuan, Dajun; Guo, Rui; Wei, Yaguang; Wu, Wenzhuo

2013-02-05

In a method for growing a nanowire array, a photoresist layer is placed onto a nanowire growth layer configured for growing nanowires therefrom. The photoresist layer is exposed to a coherent light interference pattern that includes periodically alternately spaced dark bands and light bands along a first orientation. The photoresist layer exposed to the coherent light interference pattern along a second orientation, transverse to the first orientation. The photoresist layer developed so as to remove photoresist from areas corresponding to areas of intersection of the dark bands of the interference pattern along the first orientation and the dark bands of the interference pattern along the second orientation, thereby leaving an ordered array of holes passing through the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer and the nanowire growth layer are placed into a nanowire growth environment, thereby growing nanowires from the nanowire growth layer through the array of holes.

Three-dimensional electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells: synthesis of indium-tin-oxide nanowire arrays and ITO/TiO2 core-shell nanowire arrays by electrophoretic deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hong-Wen; Ting, Chi-Feng; Hung, Miao-Ken; Chiou, Chwei-Huann; Liu, Ying-Ling; Liu, Zongwen; Ratinac, Kyle R.; Ringer, Simon P.

2009-02-01

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) show promise as a cheaper alternative to silicon-based photovoltaics for specialized applications, provided conversion efficiency can be maximized and production costs minimized. This study demonstrates that arrays of nanowires can be formed by wet-chemical methods for use as three-dimensional (3D) electrodes in DSSCs, thereby improving photoelectric conversion efficiency. Two approaches were employed to create the arrays of ITO (indium-tin-oxide) nanowires or arrays of ITO/TiO2 core-shell nanowires; both methods were based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD) within a polycarbonate template. The 3D electrodes for solar cells were constructed by using a doctor-blade for coating TiO2 layers onto the ITO or ITO/TiO2 nanowire arrays. A photoelectric conversion efficiency as high as 4.3% was achieved in the DSSCs made from ITO nanowires; this performance was better than that of ITO/TiO2 core-shell nanowires or pristine TiO2 films. Cyclic voltammetry confirmed that the reaction current was significantly enhanced when a 3D ITO-nanowire electrode was used. Better separation of charge carriers and improved charge transport, due to the enlarged interfacial area, are thought to be the major advantages of using 3D nanowire electrodes for the optimization of DSSCs.

Fabrication of Ni-silicide/Si heterostructured nanowire arrays by glancing angle deposition and solid state reaction.

PubMed

Hsu, Hsun-Feng; Huang, Wan-Ru; Chen, Ting-Hsuan; Wu, Hwang-Yuan; Chen, Chun-An

2013-05-10

This work develops a method for growing Ni-silicide/Si heterostructured nanowire arrays by glancing angle Ni deposition and solid state reaction on ordered Si nanowire arrays. Samples of ordered Si nanowire arrays were fabricated by nanosphere lithography and metal-induced catalytic etching. Glancing angle Ni deposition deposited Ni only on the top of Si nanowires. When the annealing temperature was 500°C, a Ni3Si2 phase was formed at the apex of the nanowires. The phase of silicide at the Ni-silicide/Si interface depended on the diameter of the Si nanowires, such that epitaxial NiSi2 with a {111} facet was formed at the Ni-silicide/Si interface in Si nanowires with large diameter, and NiSi was formed in Si nanowires with small diameter. A mechanism that is based on flux divergence and a nucleation-limited reaction is proposed to explain this phenomenon of size-dependent phase formation.

Fabrication of Ni-silicide/Si heterostructured nanowire arrays by glancing angle deposition and solid state reaction

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

This work develops a method for growing Ni-silicide/Si heterostructured nanowire arrays by glancing angle Ni deposition and solid state reaction on ordered Si nanowire arrays. Samples of ordered Si nanowire arrays were fabricated by nanosphere lithography and metal-induced catalytic etching. Glancing angle Ni deposition deposited Ni only on the top of Si nanowires. When the annealing temperature was 500°C, a Ni3Si2 phase was formed at the apex of the nanowires. The phase of silicide at the Ni-silicide/Si interface depended on the diameter of the Si nanowires, such that epitaxial NiSi2 with a {111} facet was formed at the Ni-silicide/Si interface in Si nanowires with large diameter, and NiSi was formed in Si nanowires with small diameter. A mechanism that is based on flux divergence and a nucleation-limited reaction is proposed to explain this phenomenon of size-dependent phase formation. PMID:23663726

MnO 2 nanotube and nanowire arrays by electrochemical deposition for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Hui; Feng, Jinkui; Wang, Hailong; Lai, Man On; Lu, Li

Highly ordered MnO 2 nanotube and nanowire arrays are successfully synthesized via a electrochemical deposition technique using porous alumina templates. The morphologies and microstructures of the MnO 2 nanotube and nanowire arrays are investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Electrochemical characterization demonstrates that the MnO 2 nanotube array electrode has superior capacitive behaviour to that of the MnO 2 nanowire array electrode. In addition to high specific capacitance, the MnO 2 nanotube array electrode also exhibits good rate capability and good cycling stability, which makes it promising candidate for supercapacitors.

Strikingly enhanced cooling performance for a micro-cooler using unique Cu nanowire array with high electrical conductivity and fast heat transfer behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Ming; Wang, Xiuzhen; Hao, Yanming; Deng, Yuan

2017-06-01

It was found that phonons/electrons are less scattered along (1 1 1)-preferred Cu nanowires than in ordinary structure films and that the interface of Cu nanowires electrode and thermoelectric materials are more compatible. Here highly ordered, high-crystal-quality, high-density Cu nanowire array was successfully fabricated by a magnetron sputtering method. The Cu nanowire array was successfully incorporated using mask-assisted deposition technology as electrodes for thin-film thermoelectric coolers, which would greatly improve electrical/thermal transport and enhance performance of micro-coolers. The cooling performance of the micro-cooler with Cu nanowire array electrode is over 200% higher than that of the cooler with ordinary film electrode.

A general melt-injection-decomposition route to oriented metal oxide nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Dongqiang; Zhang, Xinwei; Hua, Zhenghe; Yang, Shaoguang

2016-12-01

In this manuscript, a general melt-injection-decomposition (MID) route has been proposed and realized for the fabrication of oriented metal oxide nanowire arrays. Nitrate was used as the starting materials, which was injected into the nanopores of the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane through the capillarity action in its liquid state. At higher temperature, the nitrate decomposed into corresponding metal oxide within the nanopores of the AAO membrane. Oriented metal oxide nanowire arrays were formed within the AAO membrane as a result of the confinement of the nanopores. Four kinds of metal oxide (CuO, Mn2O3, Co3O4 and Cr2O3) nanowire arrays are presented here as examples fabricated by this newly developed process. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies showed clear evidence of the formations of the oriented metal oxide nanowire arrays. Formation mechanism of the metal oxide nanowire arrays is discussed based on the Thermogravimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis measurement results.

Quantum dots coupled ZnO nanowire-array panels and their photocatalytic activities.

PubMed

Liao, Yulong; Que, Wenxiu; Zhang, Jin; Zhong, Peng; Yuan, Yuan; Qiu, Xinku; Shen, Fengyu

2013-02-01

Fabrication and characterization of a heterojunction structured by CdS quantum dots@ZnO nanowire-array panels were presented. Firstly, ZnO nanowire-array panels were prepared by using a chemical bath deposition approach where wurtzite ZnO nanowires with a diameter of about 100 nm and 3 microm in length grew perpendicularly to glass substrate. Secondly, CdS quantum dots were deposited onto the surface of the ZnO nanowire-arrays by using successive ion layer absorption and reaction method, and the CdS shell/ZnO core heterojunction were thus obtained. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope were employed to characterize the morphological properties of the as-obtained CdS quantum dots@ZnO nanowire-array panels. X-ray diffraction was adopted to characterize the crystalline properties of the as-obtained CdS quantum dots@ZnO nanowire-array panels. Methyl orange was taken as a model compound to confirm the photocatalytic activities of the CdS shell/ZnO core heterojunction. Results indicate that CdS with narrow band gap not only acts as a visible-light sensitizer but also is responsible for an effective charge separation.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by metal-modified silicon nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brahiti, N., E-mail: dihiabrahiti@yahoo.fr; Université Mouloud MAMMERI de TiziOuzou, Département de Physique, Bastos; Hadjersi, T., E-mail: hadjersi@gmx.com

2015-02-15

Highlights: • SiNWs modified with Pd, Au and Pt were used as photocatalysts to degrade MB. • Yield of photodegardation increases with UV irradiation time. • SiNWs modified with Pd nanoparticles show the best photocatalytic activity. • A degradation of 97% was obtained after 200 min of UV irradiation. - Abstract: Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) modified with Au, Pt and Pd nanoparticles were used as heterogeneous photocatalysts for the photodegradation of methylene blue in water under UV light irradiation. The modification of SiNWs was carried out by deposition of metal nanoparticles using the electroless metal deposition (EMD) technique. The effect ofmore » metal nanoparticles deposition time on the photocatalytic activity was studied. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of modified SiNWs was enhanced when the deposition time of metal nanoparticles was increased. In addition of modified SiNWs with Pt, Au and Pd nanoparticles, oxidized silicon substrate (Ox-Si), oxidized silicon nanowires (Ox-SiNWs) and hydrogen-terminated silicon nanowires (H-SiNWs) were also evaluated for the photodegradation of methylene blue.« less

Electrodeposition of bismuth:tellurium nanowire arrays into porous alumina templates for thermoelectric applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trahey, Lynn

Bismuth telluride is a well-known thermoelectric material for refrigeration applications. Thermoelectrics possess several advantages over conventional refrigeration and power generation devices, yet are not widely-used due to low efficiencies. It has been predicted and shown experimentally that the efficiency of thermoelectric devices increases when the semiconducting materials have reduced dimensions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to show enhanced thermoelectric efficiency in one-dimensional nanowires. The nanowires were synthesized via electrochemical deposition into porous alumina templates. Electrodeposition is a versatile technique that ensures electrical continuity in the deposited material. The nanowire templates, porous alumina, were made by the double anodization of high-purity aluminum foil in oxalic acid solutions. This technique produces parallel, hexagonally packed, and nanometer-range diameter pores that can reach high aspect ratios (greater than 2000:1). The main anodization variables (electrolyte concentration, applied potential, 2nd anodization time, and temperature) were studied systematically in order to deconvolute their effects on the resulting pores and to obtain high aspect ratio pores. The porous alumina is of great importance because the pore dimensions determine the dimensions of the electrodeposited nanowires, which influence the thermoelectric performance of the nanowire arrays. Nanowire arrays were characterized in several ways. Powder X-ray diffraction was used to assess crystallinity and preferred orientation of the nanowires, revealing that the nanowires are highly crystalline and grow with strong preferred orientation such that the material is suited for optimal thermoelectric performance. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the nanowire nucleation percentage and growth-front uniformity, both of which were enhanced by pulsed-potential electrodeposition. Compositional analysis via electron microprobe indicates that the as-grown nanowires are Te-rich or Bi-deficient, which agrees with Seebeck coefficient data showing the arrays are n-type semiconductors. In collaboration with Marlow Industries, the thermoelectric performance of the arrays was gauged. The nanowire arrays were successfully contacted with robust nickel layers as revealed by the low AC resistances of the arrays. One array was incorporated into a hybrid thermoelectric device and a DeltaT of 14.8°C was measured, indicating that the measurement and electrical contact approaches were successful despite further optimization being needed.

A simple and transparent well-aligned ZnO nanowire array ultraviolet photodetector with high responsivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Lei; Ding, Hesheng; Yuan, Zhaolin; Huang, Wendeng; Shuai, Chunjiang; Xiong, Zhaoxin; Deng, Jianping; Lv, Tengbo

2018-06-01

Well-aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire arrays were grown on an interdigital patterned fluorine tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrate by a facile chemical bath deposition at low temperature. Morphology, crystalline structure, and optical properties of the ZnO nanowire arrays were analyzed in detail. The results revealed that the ZnO nanowires had wurtzite structure, typically ∼40-60 nm in diameter, and ∼700-800 nm in length, a great number of highly uniform and dense nanowires grew vertically on the substrate to form the well-aligned ZnO nanowire arrays, which had very high optical transmission (>86%) in the visible light region. In addition, the performance of ZnO nanowire arrays ultraviolet (UV) photodetector was systematically examined. The photosensitivity (S), responsivity (R), response and decay time of the photodetector were 703 at +0.2 V, 113 A/W at +5 V, 23 s and 73 s respectively. Also, the photoresponse mechanism of the UV photodetector was illuminated in terms of the oxygen adsorption-photodesorption process.

Nanowire array and nanowire solar cells and methods for forming the same

DOEpatents

Yang, Peidong [Berkeley, CA; Greene, Lori [Berkeley, CA; Law, Matthew [Berkeley, CA

2007-09-04

Homogeneous and dense arrays of nanowires are described. The nanowires can be formed in solution and can have average diameters of 40-300 nm and lengths of 1-3 .mu.m. They can be formed on any suitable substrate. Photovoltaic devices are also described.

Nanowire array and nanowire solar cells and methods for forming the same

DOEpatents

Yang, Peidong; Greene, Lori E.; Law, Matthew

2009-06-09

Homogeneous and dense arrays of nanowires are described. The nanowires can be formed in solution and can have average diameters of 40-300 nm and lengths of 1-3 .mu.m. They can be formed on any suitable substrate. Photovoltaic devices are also described.

DNA-Templated Pd Conductive Metallic Nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, K.; Monteverde, M.; Lyonnais, S.; Campidelli, S.; Bourgoin, J.-Ph.; Filoramo, A.

2008-10-01

Because of its unique recognition properties, its size and the sub-nanometric resolution, DNA is of particular interest for positioning and organizing nanomaterials. However, in DNA-directed nanoelectronic it can be envisioned to use DNA not only as a positioning scaffold, but also as a support for the conducting element. To ensure this function a metallization process is necessary and among the various DNA metallization methods the Pd based ones are of particular interest for carbon nanotube transistor connections. In this field, the major drawback of the existing methods is the fast kinetics of the process which lead to a stochastic growth. Here, we present a novel approach to DNA Pd metalization where the DNA molecule is previously deposited on a dry substrate in a typical nanodevice configuration. In our approach the progressive growth of nanowires is achieved by the slow and selective precipitation of PdO, followed by a subsequent reduction step. Thanks to this strategy we fabricated homogeneous, continuous and conductive Pd nanowires on the DNA scaffolds of very thin diameter (20-25 nm).

Confined Ultrathin Pd-Ce Nanowires with Outstanding Moisture and SO2 Tolerance in Methane Combustion.

PubMed

Peng, Honggen; Rao, Cheng; Zhang, Ning; Wang, Xiang; Liu, Wenming; Mao, Wenting; Han, Lu; Zhang, Pengfei; Dai, Sheng

2018-05-22

An efficient strategy (enhanced metal oxide interaction and core-shell confinement to inhibit the sintering of noble metal) is presented confined ultrathin Pd-CeO x nanowire (2.4 nm) catalysts for methane combustion, which enable CH 4 total oxidation at a low temperature of 350 °C, much lower than that of a commercial Pd/Al 2 O 3 catalyst (425 °C). Importantly, unexpected stability was observed even under harsh conditions (800 °C, water vapor, and SO 2 ), owing to the confinement and shielding effect of the porous silica shell together with the promotion of CeO 2 . Pd-CeO x solid solution nanowires (Pd-Ce NW) as cores and porous silica as shells (Pd-CeNW@SiO 2 ) were rationally prepared by a facile and direct self-assembly strategy for the first time. This strategy is expected to inspire more active and stable catalysts for use under severe conditions (vehicle emissions control, reforming, and water-gas shift reaction). © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Si/InGaN core/shell hierarchical nanowire arrays and their photoelectrochemical properties.

PubMed

Hwang, Yun Jeong; Wu, Cheng Hao; Hahn, Chris; Jeong, Hoon Eui; Yang, Peidong

2012-03-14

Three-dimensional hierarchical nanostructures were synthesized by the halide chemical vapor deposition of InGaN nanowires on Si wire arrays. Single phase InGaN nanowires grew vertically on the sidewalls of Si wires and acted as a high surface area photoanode for solar water splitting. Electrochemical measurements showed that the photocurrent density with hierarchical Si/InGaN nanowire arrays increased by 5 times compared to the photocurrent density with InGaN nanowire arrays grown on planar Si (1.23 V vs RHE). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy showed that InGaN nanowires are stable after 15 h of illumination. These measurements show that Si/InGaN hierarchical nanostructures are a viable high surface area electrode geometry for solar water splitting. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Fabrication of ZnO Nanowires Arrays by Anodization and High-Vacuum Die Casting Technique, and Their Piezoelectric Properties.

PubMed

Kuo, Chin-Guo; Chang, Ho; Wang, Jian-Hao

2016-03-24

In this investigation, anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) with arrayed and regularly arranged nanopores is used as a template in the high-vacuum die casting of molten zinc metal (Zn) into the nanopores. The proposed technique yields arrayed Zn nanowires with an aspect ratio of over 600. After annealing, arrayed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires are obtained. Varying the anodizing time yields AAO templates with thicknesses of approximately 50 μm, 60 μm, and 70 μm that can be used in the fabrication of nanowires of three lengths with high aspect ratios. Experimental results reveal that a longer nanowire generates a greater measured piezoelectric current. The ZnO nanowires that are fabricated using an alumina template are anodized for 7 h and produce higher piezoelectric current of up to 69 pA.

Template-directed atomically precise self-organization of perfectly ordered parallel cerium silicide nanowire arrays on Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces.

PubMed

Hong, Ie-Hong; Liao, Yung-Cheng; Tsai, Yung-Feng

2013-11-05

The perfectly ordered parallel arrays of periodic Ce silicide nanowires can self-organize with atomic precision on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces. The growth evolution of self-ordered parallel Ce silicide nanowire arrays is investigated over a broad range of Ce coverages on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Three different types of well-ordered parallel arrays, consisting of uniformly spaced and atomically identical Ce silicide nanowires, are self-organized through the heteroepitaxial growth of Ce silicides on a long-range grating-like 16 × 2 reconstruction at the deposition of various Ce coverages. Each atomically precise Ce silicide nanowire consists of a bundle of chains and rows with different atomic structures. The atomic-resolution dual-polarity STM images reveal that the interchain coupling leads to the formation of the registry-aligned chain bundles within individual Ce silicide nanowire. The nanowire width and the interchain coupling can be adjusted systematically by varying the Ce coverage on a Si(110) surface. This natural template-directed self-organization of perfectly regular parallel nanowire arrays allows for the precise control of the feature size and positions within ±0.2 nm over a large area. Thus, it is a promising route to produce parallel nanowire arrays in a straightforward, low-cost, high-throughput process.

Template-directed atomically precise self-organization of perfectly ordered parallel cerium silicide nanowire arrays on Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

The perfectly ordered parallel arrays of periodic Ce silicide nanowires can self-organize with atomic precision on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces. The growth evolution of self-ordered parallel Ce silicide nanowire arrays is investigated over a broad range of Ce coverages on single-domain Si(110)-16 × 2 surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Three different types of well-ordered parallel arrays, consisting of uniformly spaced and atomically identical Ce silicide nanowires, are self-organized through the heteroepitaxial growth of Ce silicides on a long-range grating-like 16 × 2 reconstruction at the deposition of various Ce coverages. Each atomically precise Ce silicide nanowire consists of a bundle of chains and rows with different atomic structures. The atomic-resolution dual-polarity STM images reveal that the interchain coupling leads to the formation of the registry-aligned chain bundles within individual Ce silicide nanowire. The nanowire width and the interchain coupling can be adjusted systematically by varying the Ce coverage on a Si(110) surface. This natural template-directed self-organization of perfectly regular parallel nanowire arrays allows for the precise control of the feature size and positions within ±0.2 nm over a large area. Thus, it is a promising route to produce parallel nanowire arrays in a straightforward, low-cost, high-throughput process. PMID:24188092

Modification of SiO2 nanowires with metallic nanocrystals from supercritical CO2.

PubMed

Ye, Xiang-Rong; Zhang, Hai-Feng; Lin, Yuehe; Wang, Lai-Sheng; Wai, Chien M

2004-01-01

Through hydrogen reduction of metal precursors in supercritical CO2, Cu, and Pd, nanocrystals were deposited onto SiO2 nanowires to form different types of nanostructured materials, including nanocrystal-nanowire, spherical aggregation-nanowire, shell-nanowire composites, and "mesoporous" metals supported by the framework of nanowires. This supercritical fluid deposition technique is an attractive approach for modifying nanowires because of its generality and simplicity; the modified nanowires could be useful as catalysts and for further fabrication of multifunctional composites.

Recrystallized arrays of bismuth nanowires with trigonal orientation.

PubMed

Limmer, Steven J; Yelton, W Graham; Erickson, Kristopher J; Medlin, Douglas L; Siegal, Michael P

2014-01-01

We demonstrate methods to improve the crystalline-quality of free-standing Bi nanowires arrays on a Si substrate and enhance the preferred trigonal orientation for thermoelectric performance by annealing the arrays above the 271.4 °C Bi melting point. The nanowires maintain their geometry during melting due to the formation of a thin Bi-oxide protective shell that contains the molten Bi. Recrystallizing nanowires from the melt improves crystallinity; those cooled rapidly demonstrate a strong trigonal orientation preference.

From immobilized cells to motile cells on a bed-of-nails: effects of vertical nanowire array density on cell behaviour

PubMed Central

Persson, Henrik; Li, Zhen; Tegenfeldt, Jonas O.; Oredsson, Stina; Prinz, Christelle N.

2015-01-01

The field of vertical nanowire array-based applications in cell biology is growing rapidly and an increasing number of applications are being explored. These applications almost invariably rely on the physical properties of the nanowire arrays, creating a need for a better understanding of how their physical properties affect cell behaviour. Here, we investigate the effects of nanowire density on cell migration, division and morphology for murine fibroblasts. Our results show that few nanowires are sufficient to immobilize cells, while a high nanowire spatial density enables a ”bed-of-nails” regime, where cells reside on top of the nanowires and are fully motile. The presence of nanowires decreases the cell proliferation rate, even in the “bed-of-nails” regime. We show that the cell morphology strongly depends on the nanowire density. Cells cultured on low (0.1 μm−2) and medium (1 μm−2) density substrates exhibit an increased number of multi-nucleated cells and micronuclei. These were not observed in cells cultured on high nanowire density substrates (4 μm−2). The results offer important guidelines to minimize cell-function perturbations on nanowire arrays. Moreover, these findings offer the possibility to tune cell proliferation and migration independently by adjusting the nanowire density, which may have applications in drug testing. PMID:26691936

Geometrical optics, electrostatics, and nanophotonic resonances in absorbing nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Anttu, Nicklas

2013-03-01

Semiconductor nanowire arrays have shown promise for next-generation photovoltaics and photodetection, but enhanced understanding of the light-nanowire interaction is still needed. Here, we study theoretically the absorption of light in an array of vertical InP nanowires by moving continuously, first from the electrostatic limit to the nanophotonic regime and then to the geometrical optics limit. We show how the absorption per volume of semiconductor material in the array can be varied by a factor of 200, ranging from 10 times weaker to 20 times stronger than in a bulk semiconductor sample.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ishiyama, Takeshi, E-mail: ishiyama@ee.tut.ac.jp; Nakane, Takaya, E-mail: ishiyama@ee.tut.ac.jp; Fujii, Tsutomu, E-mail: ishiyama@ee.tut.ac.jp

Arrays of single-crystal zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires have been synthesized on silicon substrates by vapor-liquid-solid growth techniques. The effect of growth conditions including substrate temperature and Ar gas flow rate on growth properties of ZnO nanowire arrays were studied. Structural and optical characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. SEM images of the ZnO nanowire arrays grown at various Ar gas flow rates indicated that the alignment and structural features of ZnO nanowires were affected by the gas flow rate. The PL of the ZnO nanowire arrays exhibited strong ultraviolet (UV) emission at 380 nmmore » and green emission around 510 nm. Moreover, the green emission reduced in Ga-doped sample.« less

Controlling the growth and field emission properties of silicide nanowire arrays by direct silicification of Ni foil.

PubMed

Liu, Zhihong; Zhang, Hui; Wang, Lei; Yang, Deren

2008-09-17

Nickel silicide nanowire arrays have been achieved by the decomposition of SiH(4) on Ni foil at 650 °C. It is indicated that the nickel silicide nanowires consist of roots with diameter of about 100-200 nm and tips with diameter of about 10-50 nm. A Ni diffusion controlled mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of the nickel silicide nanowires. Field emission measurement shows that the turn-on field of the nickel silicide nanowire arrays is low, at about 3.7 V µm(-1), and the field enhancement factor is as high as 4280, so the arrays have promising applications as emitters.

Green Synthesis of Ag and Pd Nanospheres, Nanowires, and Nanorods Using Vitamin B2: Catalytic Polymerisation of Aniline and Pyrrole

EPA Science Inventory

For the first time, we report green chemistry approach using vitamin B2 in the synthesis of silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd), nanospheres, nanowires and nanorods at room temperature without using any harmful reducing agents, such as sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or hydroxylamine hydro...

Fabrication of ZnO Nanowires Arrays by Anodization and High-Vacuum Die Casting Technique, and Their Piezoelectric Properties

PubMed Central

Kuo, Chin-Guo; Chang, Ho; Wang, Jian-Hao

2016-01-01

In this investigation, anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) with arrayed and regularly arranged nanopores is used as a template in the high-vacuum die casting of molten zinc metal (Zn) into the nanopores. The proposed technique yields arrayed Zn nanowires with an aspect ratio of over 600. After annealing, arrayed zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires are obtained. Varying the anodizing time yields AAO templates with thicknesses of approximately 50 μm, 60 μm, and 70 μm that can be used in the fabrication of nanowires of three lengths with high aspect ratios. Experimental results reveal that a longer nanowire generates a greater measured piezoelectric current. The ZnO nanowires that are fabricated using an alumina template are anodized for 7 h and produce higher piezoelectric current of up to 69 pA. PMID:27023546

Directed branch growth in aligned nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Beaudry, Allan L; LaForge, Joshua M; Tucker, Ryan T; Sorge, Jason B; Adamski, Nicholas L; Li, Peng; Taschuk, Michael T; Brett, Michael J

2014-01-01

Branch growth is directed along two, three, or four in-plane directions in vertically aligned nanowire arrays using vapor-liquid-solid glancing angle deposition (VLS-GLAD) flux engineering. In this work, a dynamically controlled collimated vapor flux guides branch placement during the self-catalyzed epitaxial growth of branched indium tin oxide nanowire arrays. The flux is positioned to grow branches on select nanowire facets, enabling fabrication of aligned nanotree arrays with L-, T-, or X-branching. In addition, a flux motion algorithm is designed to selectively elongate branches along one in-plane axis. Nanotrees are found to be aligned across large areas by X-ray diffraction pole figure analysis and through branch length and orientation measurements collected over 140 μm(2) from scanning electron microscopy images for each array. The pathway to guided assembly of nanowire architectures with controlled interconnectivity in three-dimensions using VLS-GLAD is discussed.

Controllable Synthesis of Copper Oxide/Carbon Core/Shell Nanowire Arrays and Their Application for Electrochemical Energy Storage

PubMed Central

Zhan, Jiye; Chen, Minghua; Xia, Xinhui

2015-01-01

Rational design/fabrication of integrated porous metal oxide arrays is critical for the construction of advanced electrochemical devices. Herein, we report self-supported CuO/C core/shell nanowire arrays prepared by the combination of electro-deposition and chemical vapor deposition methods. CuO/C nanowires with diameters of ~400 nm grow quasi-vertically to the substrates forming three-dimensional arrays architecture. A thin carbon shell is uniformly coated on the CuO nanowire cores. As an anode of lithium ion batteries, the resultant CuO/C nanowire arrays are demonstrated to have high specific capacity (672 mAh·g−1 at 0.2 C) and good cycle stability (425 mAh·g−1 at 1 C up to 150 cycles). The core/shell arrays structure plays positive roles in the enhancement of Li ion storage due to fast ion/electron transfer path, good strain accommodation and sufficient contact between electrolyte and active materials. PMID:28347084

A High-Efficiency Si Nanowire Array/Perovskite Hybrid Solar Cell.

PubMed

Yan, Xin; Zhang, Chen; Wang, Jiamin; Zhang, Xia; Ren, Xiaomin

2017-12-01

A low-cost Si nanowire array/perovskite hybrid solar cell is proposed and simulated. The solar cell consists of a Si p-i-n nanowire array filled with CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 , in which both the nanowires and perovskite absorb the incident light while the nanowires act as the channels for transporting photo-generated electrons and holes. The hybrid structure has a high absorption efficiency in a broad wavelength range of 300~800 nm. A large short-circuit current density of 28.8 mA/cm 2 and remarkable conversion efficiency of 13.3% are obtained at a thin absorber thickness of 1.6 μm, which are comparable to the best results of III-V nanowire solar cells.

Tunable Nanowire Patterning Using Standing Surface Acoustic Waves

PubMed Central

Chen, Yuchao; Ding, Xiaoyun; Lin, Sz-Chin Steven; Yang, Shikuan; Huang, Po-Hsun; Nama, Nitesh; Zhao, Yanhui; Nawaz, Ahmad Ahsan; Guo, Feng; Wang, Wei; Gu, Yeyi; Mallouk, Thomas E.; Huang, Tony Jun

2014-01-01

Patterning of nanowires in a controllable, tunable manner is important for the fabrication of functional nanodevices. Here we present a simple approach for tunable nanowire patterning using standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW). This technique allows for the construction of large-scale nanowire arrays with well-controlled patterning geometry and spacing within 5 seconds. In this approach, SSAWs were generated by interdigital transducers (IDTs), which induced a periodic alternating current (AC) electric field on the piezoelectric substrate and consequently patterned metallic nanowires in suspension. The patterns could be deposited onto the substrate after the liquid evaporated. By controlling the distribution of the SSAW field, metallic nanowires were assembled into different patterns including parallel and perpendicular arrays. The spacing of the nanowire arrays could be tuned by controlling the frequency of the surface acoustic waves. Additionally, we observed 3D spark-shape nanowire patterns in the SSAW field. The SSAW-based nanowire-patterning technique presented here possesses several advantages over alternative patterning approaches, including high versatility, tunability, and efficiency, making it promising for device applications. PMID:23540330

Ultrahigh-density sub-10 nm nanowire array formation via surface-controlled phase separation.

PubMed

Tian, Yuan; Mukherjee, Pinaki; Jayaraman, Tanjore V; Xu, Zhanping; Yu, Yongsheng; Tan, Li; Sellmyer, David J; Shield, Jeffrey E

2014-08-13

We present simple, self-assembled, and robust fabrication of ultrahigh density cobalt nanowire arrays. The binary Co-Al and Co-Si systems phase-separate during physical vapor deposition, resulting in Co nanowire arrays with average diameter as small as 4.9 nm and nanowire density on the order of 10(16)/m(2). The nanowire diameters were controlled by moderating the surface diffusivity, which affected the lateral diffusion lengths. High resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that the Co nanowires formed in the face-centered cubic structure. Elemental mapping showed that in both systems the nanowires consisted of Co with undetectable Al or Si and that the matrix consisted of Al with no distinguishable Co in the Co-Al system and a mixture of Si and Co in the Co-Si system. Magnetic measurements clearly indicate anisotropic behavior consistent with shape anisotropy. The dynamics of nanowire growth, simulated using an Ising model, is consistent with the experimental phase and geometry of the nanowires.

Synthesis and characterization of axial heterojunction inorganic-organic semiconductor nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Chen, Nan; Qian, Xuemin; Lin, Haowei; Liu, Huibiao; Li, Yongjun; Li, Yuliang

2011-11-07

The end-to-end P-N heterojunction nanowire arrays combined organic (poly[1,4-bis(pyrrol-2-yl)benzene], BPB) and inorganic (CdS) molecules have been successfully designed and fabricated. The electrical properties of P-N heterojunctions of organic-inorganic nanowire arrays were investigated. The diode nature and rectifying feature of P-N heterojunction nanowire arrays were observed. The rectification ratio of the diode increased from 29.9 to 129.7 as the illumination intensity increased. The material exhibits a new property, which is an improvement in the integration of the physical and chemical properties of the two independent components.

High energy density in PVDF nanocomposites using an optimized nanowire array.

PubMed

Guo, Ru; Luo, Hang; Liu, Weiwei; Zhou, Xuefan; Tang, Lin; Zhou, Kechao; Zhang, Dou

2018-06-22

TiO2 nanowire arrays are often utilized to prepare high performance polymer nanocomposites, however, the contribution to the energy density is limited due to their non-ferroelectric characteristics. A nanocomposite with an optimized nanowire array combining the ferroelectric properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) with TiO2, readily forming nanowires (denoted as a TiO2-P nanowire array), is prepared to enhance the permittivity. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is used as the polymer matrix due to its high breakdown strength, e.g. 600-700 kV mm-1. As a result, the permittivity and breakdown electric field reach 53 at 1 kHz and 550 kV mm-1, respectively. Therefore, the nanocomposites achieve a higher discharge energy density of 12.4 J cm-3 with excellent cycle stability, which is the highest among nanocomposites based on a nanowire array as a filler in a PVDF matrix. This work provides not only a feasible approach to obtain high performance dielectric nanocomposites, but also a wide range of potential applications in the energy storage and energy harvesting fields.

Silicon nanowire arrays as thermoelectric material for a power microgenerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dávila, D.; Tarancón, A.; Fernández-Regúlez, M.; Calaza, C.; Salleras, M.; San Paulo, A.; Fonseca, L.

2011-10-01

A novel design of a silicon-based thermoelectric power microgenerator is presented in this work. Arrays of silicon nanowires, working as thermoelectric material, have been integrated in planar uni-leg thermocouple microstructures to convert waste heat into electrical energy. Homogeneous, uniformly dense, well-oriented and size-controlled arrays of silicon nanowires have been grown by chemical vapor deposition using the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism. Compatibility issues between the nanowire growth method and microfabrication techniques, such as electrical contact patterning, are discussed. Electrical measurements of the nanowire array electrical conductivity and the Seebeck voltage induced by a controlled thermal gradient or under harvesting operation mode have been carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of the microdevice. A resistance of 240 Ω at room temperature was measured for an array of silicon nanowires 10 µm -long, generating a Seebeck voltage of 80 mV under an imposed thermal gradient of 450 °C, whereas only 4.5 mV were generated under a harvesting operation mode. From the results presented, a Seebeck coefficient of about 150-190 µV K-1 was estimated, which corresponds to typical values for bulk silicon.

Conducting polymer nanowire arrays for high performance supercapacitors.

PubMed

Wang, Kai; Wu, Haiping; Meng, Yuena; Wei, Zhixiang

2014-01-15

This Review provides a brief summary of the most recent research developments in the fabrication and application of one-dimensional ordered conducting polymers nanostructure (especially nanowire arrays) and their composites as electrodes for supercapacitors. By controlling the nucleation and growth process of polymerization, aligned conducting polymer nanowire arrays and their composites with nano-carbon materials can be prepared by employing in situ chemical polymerization or electrochemical polymerization without a template. This kind of nanostructure (such as polypyrrole and polyaniline nanowire arrays) possesses high capacitance, superior rate capability ascribed to large electrochemical surface, and an optimal ion diffusion path in the ordered nanowire structure, which is proved to be an ideal electrode material for high performance supercapacitors. Furthermore, flexible, micro-scale, threadlike, and multifunctional supercapacitors are introduced based on conducting polyaniline nanowire arrays and their composites. These prototypes of supercapacitors utilize the high flexibility, good processability, and large capacitance of conducting polymers, which efficiently extend the usage of supercapacitors in various situations, and even for a complicated integration system of different electronic devices. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Ultra-thin g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanosheets wrapped silicon nanowire array for improved chemical stability and enhanced photoresponse

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Beibei; Yu, Hongtao; Quan, Xie, E-mail: quanxie@dlut.edu.cn

2014-11-15

Highlights: • g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4}, as an oxygen free and metal free protective material for Si, was proposed. • g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanosheets wrapped Si nanowire array was synthesized. • SiNW/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} exhibited enhancement of photoelectrochemical stability and photocurrent. - Abstract: In order to inhibit the oxidation of Si materials in aqueous solution, Si nanowire array was wrapped by ultra-thin g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanosheets via an electrophoresis process. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images showed that g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanosheets were evenly distributed on the surface of Si nanowire array. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that Si nanowiremore » array/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanosheets were composed of Si (4 0 0 crystal plane) and g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} (0 0 2 and 1 0 0 crystal planes). The cyclic voltammetry curves revealed that the corrosion of Si nanowire array was restrained under the protection of g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanosheets. Furthermore, the photocurrent density of Si nanowire array/g-C{sub 3}N{sub 4} nanosheets increased by nearly 3 times compared to that of bare Si nanowire array due to the effective charge separation caused by the built-in electric field at the interface. This work will facilitate the applications of Si materials in aqueous solution, such as solar energy harvest and photocatalytic pollution control.« less

Impact of the air gap in nanowire array transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mativetsky, Jeffrey; Yang, Tong; Mehta, Jeremy

Organic and inorganic semiconducting nanowires are promising for flexible electronic, energy harvesting, and sensing applications. Nanowire arrays processed from solution are particularly attractive for their ease of processing coupled with their potential for high performance. Random stacking has been observed, however, to hinder the collective electrical performance of such nanowire arrays. Here, we employ solution-processed organic semiconducting nanowires as a model system to assess the impact of the air gap that exists under a large portion of the active material in nanowire array transistors. Confocal Raman spectroscopy is used to non-invasively quantify the average air gap thickness which is found to be unexpectedly large - two to three times the nanowire diameter. This substantial air gap acts as an additional dielectric layer that diminishes the buildup of charge carriers, and can affect the measured charge carrier mobility and current on/off ratio by more than one order of magnitude. These results establish the importance of taking the air gap into account when fabricating and analyzing the performance of transistors based on one-dimensional nanostructures, such as organic and inorganic nanowires, or carbon nanotubes. NSF CAREER award DMR-1555028, NSF CMMI-1537648 , NSF MRI CMMI-1429176.

Superconductivity of a Sn film controlled by an array of Co nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Zhiyuan; Ye, Zuxin; Rathnayaka, Daya; Lyuksyutov, Igor; Wu, Wenhao; Naugle, Donald

2012-02-01

Superconducting properties of a hybrid structure composed of ferromagnetic Co nanowire arrays and a superconducting Sn film have been investigated. Ordered Co nanowires arrays with 60 nm, 150 nm and 200 nm diameter were electroplated into the pores of self organized anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. Hysteretic dependence of the Sn film superconducting properties on applied magnetic field and critical current enhancement at moderate fields has been observed. This behavior strongly depends on the ratio of the Sn film thickness to the Co nanowire diameter.

Superconductivity of a Sn film controlled by an array of Co nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Z.; Ye, Z.; Rathnayaka, K. D. D.; Lyuksyutov, I. F.; Wu, W.; Naugle, D. G.

2012-09-01

Superconducting properties of a hybrid structure composed of ferromagnetic Co nanowire arrays and a superconducting Sn film have been investigated. Ordered Co nanowires arrays with 60 nm, 150 nm and 200 nm diameter were electroplated into the pores of self organized Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) membranes. Hysteretic dependence of the Sn film superconducting properties on applied magnetic field and critical current enhancement at moderate fields has been observed. This behavior strongly depends on the ratio of the Sn film thickness to the Co nanowire diameter.

Using galvanostatic electroforming of Bi 1–xSb x nanowires to control composition, crystallinity, and orientation

DOE PAGES

Limmer, Steven J.; Medlin, Douglas L.; Siegal, Michael P.; ...

2014-12-03

When using galvanostatic pulse deposition, we studied the factors influencing the quality of electroformed Bi 1–xSb x nanowires with respect to composition, crystallinity, and preferred orientation for high thermoelectric performance. Two nonaqueous baths with different Sb salts were investigated. The Sb salts used played a major role in both crystalline quality and preferred orientations. Nanowire arrays electroformed using an SbI 3 -based chemistry were polycrystalline with no preferred orientation, whereas arrays electroformed from an SbCl 3-based chemistry were strongly crystallographically textured with the desired trigonal orientation for optimal thermoelectric performance. From the SbCl 3 bath, the electroformed nanowire arraysmore » were optimized to have nanocompositional uniformity, with a nearly constant composition along the nanowire length. Moreover, nanowires harvested from the center of the array had an average composition of Bi 0.75 Sb 0.25. However, the nanowire compositions were slightly enriched in Sb in a small region near the edges of the array, with the composition approaching Bi 0.70Sb 0.30.« less

Construction of 3D Metallic Nanowire Arrays on Arbitrarily-Shaped Substrate.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Fei; Li, Jingning; Yu, Fangfang; Peng, Ru-Wen; Wang, Mu; Mu Wang Team

Formation of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures is an important step of advanced manufacture for new concept devices with novel functionality. Despite of great achievements in fabricating nanostructures with state of the art lithography approaches, these nanostructures are normally limited on flat substrates. Up to now it remains challenging to build metallic nanostructures directly on a rough and bumpy surface. Here we demonstrate a unique approach to fabricate metallic nanowire arrays on an arbitrarily-shaped surface by electrodeposition, which is unknown before 2016. Counterintuitively here the growth direction of the nanowires is perpendicular to their longitudinal axis, and the specific geometry of nanowires can be achieved by introducing specially designed shaped substrate. The spatial separation and the width of the nanowires can be tuned by voltage, electrolyte concentration and temperature in electrodeposition. By taking cobalt nanowire array as an example, we demonstrate that head-to-head and tail-to-tail magnetic domain walls can be easily introduced and modulated in the nanowire arrays, which is enlightening to construct new devices such as domain wall racetrack memory. We acknowledge the foundation from MOST and NSF(China).

Vertical Si nanowire arrays fabricated by magnetically guided metal-assisted chemical etching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chun, Dong Won; Kim, Tae Kyoung; Choi, Duyoung; Caldwell, Elizabeth; Kim, Young Jin; Paik, Jae Cheol; Jin, Sungho; Chen, Renkun

2016-11-01

In this work, vertically aligned Si nanowire arrays were fabricated by magnetically guided metal-assisted directional chemical etching. Using an anodized aluminum oxide template as a shadow mask, nanoscale Ni dot arrays were fabricated on an Si wafer to serve as a mask to protect the Si during the etching. For the magnetically guided chemical etching, we deposited a tri-layer metal catalyst (Au/Fe/Au) in a Swiss-cheese configuration and etched the sample under the magnetic field to improve the directionality of the Si nanowire etching and increase the etching rate along the vertical direction. After the etching, the nanowires were dried with minimal surface-tension-induced aggregation by utilizing a supercritical CO2 drying procedure. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis confirmed the formation of single-crystal Si nanowires. The method developed here for producing vertically aligned Si nanowire arrays could find a wide range of applications in electrochemical and electronic devices.

Field emission from in situ-grown vertically aligned SnO2 nanowire arrays

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Vertically aligned SnO2 nanowire arrays have been in situ fabricated on a silicon substrate via thermal evaporation method in the presence of a Pt catalyst. The field emission properties of the SnO2 nanowire arrays have been investigated. Low turn-on fields of 1.6 to 2.8 V/μm were obtained at anode-cathode separations of 100 to 200 μm. The current density fluctuation was lower than 5% during a 120-min stability test measured at a fixed applied electric field of 5 V/μm. The favorable field-emission performance indicates that the fabricated SnO2 nanowire arrays are promising candidates as field emitters. PMID:22330800

Misfit-guided self-organization of anticorrelated Ge quantum dot arrays on Si nanowires.

PubMed

Kwon, Soonshin; Chen, Zack C Y; Kim, Ji-Hun; Xiang, Jie

2012-09-12

Misfit-strain guided growth of periodic quantum dot (QD) arrays in planar thin film epitaxy has been a popular nanostructure fabrication method. Engineering misfit-guided QD growth on a nanoscale substrate such as the small curvature surface of a nanowire represents a new approach to self-organized nanostructure preparation. Perhaps more profoundly, the periodic stress underlying each QD and the resulting modulation of electro-optical properties inside the nanowire backbone promise to provide a new platform for novel mechano-electronic, thermoelectronic, and optoelectronic devices. Herein, we report a first experimental demonstration of self-organized and self-limited growth of coherent, periodic Ge QDs on a one-dimensional Si nanowire substrate. Systematic characterizations reveal several distinctively different modes of Ge QD ordering on the Si nanowire substrate depending on the core diameter. In particular, Ge QD arrays on Si nanowires of around 20 nm diameter predominantly exhibit an anticorrelated pattern whose wavelength agrees with theoretical predictions. The correlated pattern can be attributed to propagation and correlation of misfit strain across the diameter of the thin nanowire substrate. The QD array growth is self-limited as the wavelength of the QDs remains unchanged even after prolonged Ge deposition. Furthermore, we demonstrate a direct kinetic transformation from a uniform Ge shell layer to discrete QD arrays by a postgrowth annealing process.

Magnetic-optical bifunctional CoPt3/Co multilayered nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Yi-Kun; Yan, Zhi-Long; Wu, Xi-Ming; Liu, Huan; Ren, Xiao; Yang, Hai-Tao

2015-10-01

CoPt3/Co multilayered nanowire (NW) arrays are synthesized by pulsed electrodeposition into nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. The electrochemistry deposition parameters are determined by cyclic voltammetry to realize the well control of the ratio of Co to Pt and the length of every segment. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that both Co and CoPt3 NWs exhibit face-centered cubic (fcc) structures. In the UV-visible absorption spectra, CoPt3/Co NW arrays show a red-shift with respect to pure CoPt3NWs. Compared with the pure Co nanowire arrays, the CoPt3/Co multilayered nanowire arrays show a weak shape anisotropy and well-modulated magnetic properties. CoPt3/Co multilayered nanowires are highly encouraging that new families of bimetallic nanosystems may be developed to meet the needs of nanomaterials in emerging multifunctional nanotechnologies. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51472165, 51471185, and 11274370).

Shape Evolution of Highly Lattice-Mismatched InN/InGaN Nanowire Heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Lifan; Hazari, Arnab; Bhattacharya, Pallab; Millunchick, Joanna M.

2018-02-01

We have investigated the structure and shape of GaN-based nanowires grown on (001) Si substrates for optoelectronic device applications. The nanowire heterostructures contained InN disks and In0.4Ga0.6N barrier layers in the active region. The resulting nanowire array comprised two differently shaped nanowires: shorter pencil-like nanowires and longer bead-like nanowires. The two different nanowire shapes evolve due to a variation in the In incorporation rate, which was faster for the bead-like nanowires. Both types of nanowires exhibited evidence of significant migration of both Ga and In during growth. Ga tended to diffuse away and down along the sidewalls, resulting in a Ga-rich shell for all nanowires. Despite the complex structure and great variability in the In composition, the optical properties of the nanowire arrays were very good, with strong luminescence peaking at ˜ 1.63 μm.

Scalable Direct Writing of Lanthanide-Doped KMnF3 Perovskite Nanowires into Aligned Arrays with Polarized Up-Conversion Emission.

PubMed

Shi, Shuo; Sun, Ling-Dong; Xue, Ying-Xian; Dong, Hao; Wu, Ke; Guo, Shi-Chen; Wu, Bo-Tao; Yan, Chun-Hua

2018-05-09

The use of one-dimensional nano- and microstructured semiconductor and lanthanide materials is attractive for polarized-light-emission studies. Up-conversion emission from single-nanorod or anisotropic nanoparticles with a degree of polarization has also been discussed. However, microscale arrays of nanoparticles, especially well-aligned one-dimensional nanostructures as well as their up-conversion polarization characterization, have not been investigated yet. Herein, we present a novel and facile paradigm for preparing highly aligned arrays of lanthanide-doped KMnF 3 (KMnF 3 :Ln) perovskite nanowires, which are good candidates for polarized up-conversion emission studies. These perovskite nanowires, with a width of 10 nm and length of a few micrometers, are formed through the oriented attachment of KMnF 3 :Ln nanocubes along the [001] direction. By the employment of KMnF 3 :Ln nanowire gel as nanoink, a direct-writing method is developed to obtain diverse types of aligned patterns from the nanoscale to the wafer scale. Up-conversion emissions from the highly aligned nanowire arrays are polarized along the array direction with a polarization degree up to 60%. Taking advantage of microscopic nanowire arrays, these polarized up-conversion emissions should offer potential applications in light or information transportation.

Study of spin dynamics and damping on the magnetic nanowire arrays with various nanowire widths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Jaehun; Fujii, Yuya; Konioshi, Katsunori; Yoon, Jungbum; Kim, Nam-Hui; Jung, Jinyong; Miwa, Shinji; Jung, Myung-Hwa; Suzuki, Yoshishige; You, Chun-Yeol

2016-07-01

We investigate the spin dynamics including Gilbert damping in the ferromagnetic nanowire arrays. We have measured the ferromagnetic resonance of ferromagnetic nanowire arrays using vector-network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance (VNA-FMR) and analyzed the results with the micromagnetic simulations. We find excellent agreement between the experimental VNA-FMR spectra and micromagnetic simulations result for various applied magnetic fields. We find that the same tendency of the demagnetization factor for longitudinal and transverse conditions, Nz (Ny) increases (decreases) as increasing the nanowire width in the micromagnetic simulations while Nx is almost zero value in transverse case. We also find that the Gilbert damping constant increases from 0.018 to 0.051 as the increasing nanowire width for the transverse case, while it is almost constant as 0.021 for the longitudinal case.

Telecom-Wavelength Bottom-up Nanobeam Lasers on Silicon-on-Insulator.

PubMed

Kim, Hyunseok; Lee, Wook-Jae; Farrell, Alan C; Balgarkashi, Akshay; Huffaker, Diana L

2017-09-13

Semiconductor nanowire lasers are considered promising ultracompact and energy-efficient light sources in the field of nanophotonics. Although the integration of nanowire lasers onto silicon photonic platforms is an innovative path toward chip-scale optical communications and photonic integrated circuits, operating nanowire lasers at telecom-wavelengths remains challenging. Here, we report on InGaAs nanowire array lasers on a silicon-on-insulator platform operating up to 1440 nm at room temperature. Bottom-up photonic crystal nanobeam cavities are formed by growing nanowires as ordered arrays using selective-area epitaxy, and single-mode lasing by optical pumping is demonstrated. We also show that arrays of nanobeam lasers with individually tunable wavelengths can be integrated on a single chip by the simple adjustment of the lithographically defined growth pattern. These results exemplify a practical approach toward nanowire lasers for silicon photonics.

High thermoelectric properties of (Sb, Bi)2Te3 nanowire arrays by tilt-structure engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Ming; Hao, Yanming; Deng, Yuan; Chen, Jingyi

2018-06-01

In this paper, we present an innovative tilt-structure design concept for (Sb, Bi)2Te3 nanowire array assembled by high-quality nanowires with well oriented growth, utilizing a simple vacuum thermal evaporation technique. The unusual tilt-structure (Sb, Bi)2Te3 nanowire array with a tilted angle of 45° exhibits a high thermoelectric dimensionless figure-of-merit ZT = 1.72 at room temperature. The relatively high ZT value in contrast to that of previously reported (Sb, Bi)2Te3 materials and the vertical (Sb, Bi)2Te3 nanowire arrays evidently reveals the crucial role of the unique tilt-structure in favorably influencing carrier and phonon transport properties, resulting in a significantly improved ZT value. The transport mechanism of such tilt-structure is proposed and investigated. This method opens a new approach to optimize nano-structure in thin films for next-generation thermoelectric materials and devices.

Directed growth of horizontally aligned gallium nitride nanowires for nanoelectromechanical resonator arrays.

PubMed

Henry, Tania; Kim, Kyungkon; Ren, Zaiyuan; Yerino, Christopher; Han, Jung; Tang, Hong X

2007-11-01

We report the growth of horizontally aligned arrays and networks of GaN nanowires (NWs) as resonant components in nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). A combination of top-down selective area growth (SAG) and bottom-up vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) synthesis enables flexible fabrication of highly ordered nanowire arrays in situ with no postgrowth dispersion. Mechanical resonance of free-standing nanowires are measured, with quality factors (Q) ranging from 400 to 1000. We obtained a Young's modulus (E) of approximately 338 GPa from an array of NWs with varying diameters and lengths. The measurement allows detection of nanowire motion with a rotating frame and reveals dual fundamental resonant modes in two orthogonal planes. A universal ratio between the resonant frequencies of these two fundamental modes, irrespective of their dimensions, is observed and attributed to an isosceles cross section of GaN NWs.

Fabrication of ordered NiO coated Si nanowire array films as electrodes for a high performance lithium ion battery.

PubMed

Qiu, M C; Yang, L W; Qi, X; Li, Jun; Zhong, J X

2010-12-01

Highly ordered NiO coated Si nanowire array films are fabricated as electrodes for a high performance lithium ion battery via depositing Ni on electroless-etched Si nanowires and subsequently annealing. The structures and morphologies of as-prepared films are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. When the potential window versus lithium was controlled, the coated NiO can be selected to be electrochemically active to store and release Li+ ions, while highly conductive crystalline Si cores function as nothing more than a stable mechanical support and an efficient electrical conducting pathway. The hybrid nanowire array films exhibit superior cyclic stability and reversible capacity compared to that of NiO nanostructured films. Owing to the ease of large-scale fabrication and superior electrochemical performance, these hybrid nanowire array films will be promising anode materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries.

Platinum nanowire microelectrode arrays for neurostimulation applications: Fabrication, characterization, and in-vitro retinal cell stimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whalen, John J., III

Implantable electrical neurostimulating devices are being developed for a number of applications, including artificial vision through retinal stimulation. The epiretinal prosthesis will use a two-dimensional array microelectrodes to address individual cells of the retina. MEMS fabrication processes can produce arrays of microelectrodes with these dimensions, but there are two critical issues that they cannot satisfy. One, the stimulating electrodes are the only part of the implanted electrical device that penetrate through the water impermeable package, and must do so without sacrificing hermeticity. Two, As electrode size decreases, the current density (A cm-2 ) increases, due to increased electrochemical impedance. This reduces the amount of charge that can be safely injected into the tissue. To date, MEMS processing method, cannot produce electrode arrays with good, prolonged hermetic properties. Similarly, MEMS approaches do not account for the increased impedance caused by decreased surface area. For these reasons there is a strong motivation for the development of a water-impermeable, substrate-penetrating electrode array with low electrochemical impedance. This thesis presents a stimulating electrode array fabricated from platinum nanowires using a modified electrochemical template synthesis approach. Nanowires are electrochemically deposited from ammonium hexachloroplatinate solution into lithographically patterned nanoporous anodic alumina templates to produce microarrays of platinum nanowires. The platinum nanowires penetrating through the ceramic aluminum oxide template serve as parallel electrical conduits through the water impermeable, electrically insulating substrate. Electrode impedance can be adjusted by either controlling the nanowire hydrous platinum oxide content or by partially etching the alumina template to expose additional surface area. A stepwise approach to this project was taken. First, the electrochemistry of ammonium hexachloroplatinate solution was characterized, and physical properties of electrodeposited thin films were correlated to deposition conditions used. Second, platinum nanowires were fabricated and their properties characterized, using similar deposition conditions. Third, the feasibility of fabricating platinum nanowire stimulating electrode arrays with a variety of surface structures was demonstrated. Fourth, the enhanced charge transfer characteristics of these structures were demonstrated using electrochemical techniques. Finally, retinal cell stimulation was demonstrated using electrodes from platinum nanowire arrays.

Effects of Nanowire Length and Surface Roughness on the Electrochemical Sensor Properties of Nafion-Free, Vertically Aligned Pt Nanowire Array Electrodes

PubMed Central

Li, Zhiyang; Leung, Calvin; Gao, Fan; Gu, Zhiyong

2015-01-01

In this paper, vertically aligned Pt nanowire arrays (PtNWA) with different lengths and surface roughnesses were fabricated and their electrochemical performance toward hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection was studied. The nanowire arrays were synthesized by electroplating Pt in nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. Different parameters, such as current density and deposition time, were precisely controlled to synthesize nanowires with different surface roughnesses and various lengths from 3 μm to 12 μm. The PtNWA electrodes showed better performance than the conventional electrodes modified by Pt nanowires randomly dispersed on the electrode surface. The results indicate that both the length and surface roughness can affect the sensing performance of vertically aligned Pt nanowire array electrodes. Generally, longer nanowires with rougher surfaces showed better electrochemical sensing performance. The 12 μm rough surface PtNWA presented the largest sensitivity (654 μA·mM−1·cm−2) among all the nanowires studied, and showed a limit of detection of 2.4 μM. The 12 μm rough surface PtNWA electrode also showed good anti-interference property from chemicals that are typically present in the biological samples such as ascorbic, uric acid, citric acid, and glucose. The sensing performance in real samples (river water) was tested and good recovery was observed. These Nafion-free, vertically aligned Pt nanowires with surface roughness control show great promise as versatile electrochemical sensors and biosensors. PMID:26404303

High density group IV semiconductor nanowire arrays fabricated in nanoporous alumina templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redwing, Joan M.; Dilts, Sarah M.; Lew, Kok-Keong; Cranmer, Alexana E.; Mohney, Suzanne E.

2005-11-01

The fabrication of high density arrays of semiconductor nanowires is of interest for nanoscale electronics, chemical and biological sensing and energy conversion applications. We have investigated the synthesis, intentional doping and electrical characterization of Si and Ge nanowires grown by the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) method in nanoporous alumina membranes. Nanoporous membranes provide a convenient platform for nanowire growth and processing, enabling control of wire diameter via pore size and the integration of contact metals for electrical testing. For VLS growth in nanoporous materials, reduced pressures and temperatures are required in order to promote the diffusion of reactants into the pore without premature decomposition on the membrane surface or pore walls. The effect of growth conditions on the growth rate of Si and Ge nanowires from SiH 4 and GeH 4 sources, respectively, was investigated and compared. In both cases, the measured activation energies for nanowire growth were substantially lower than activation energies typically reported for Si and Ge thin film deposition under similar growth conditions, suggesting that gold plays a catalytic role in the VLS growth process. Intentionally doped SiNW arrays were also prepared using trimethylboron (TMB) and phosphine (PH 3) as p-type and n-type dopant sources, respectively. Nanowire resistivities were calculated from plots of the array resistance as a function of nanowire length. A decrease in resistivity was observed for both n-type and p-type doped SiNW arrays compared to those grown without the addition of a dopant source.

Preparation and electrochemistry of Pd-Ni/Si nanowire nanocomposite catalytic anode for direct ethanol fuel cell.

PubMed

Miao, Fengjuan; Tao, Bairui; Chu, Paul K

2012-04-28

A new silicon-based anode suitable for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) is described. Pd-Ni nanoparticles are coated on Si nanowires (SiNWs) by electroless co-plating to form the catalytic materials. The electrocatalytic properties of the SiNWs and ethanol oxidation on the Pd-Ni catalyst (Pd-Ni/SiNWs) are investigated electrochemically. The effects of temperature and working potential limit in the anodic direction on ethanol oxidation are studied by cyclic voltammetry. The Pd-Ni/SiNWs electrode exhibits higher electrocatalytic activity and better long-term stability in an alkaline solution. It also yields a larger current density and negative onset potential thus boding well for its application to fuel cells. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012

Misfit-guided self-organization of anti-correlated Ge quantum dot arrays on Si nanowires

PubMed Central

Kwon, Soonshin; Chen, Zack C.Y.; Kim, Ji-Hun; Xiang, Jie

2012-01-01

Misfit-strain guided growth of periodic quantum dot (QD) arrays in planar thin film epitaxy has been a popular nanostructure fabrication method. Engineering misfit-guided QD growth on a nanoscale substrate such as the small curvature surface of a nanowire represents a new approach to self-organized nanostructure preparation. Perhaps more profoundly, the periodic stress underlying each QD and the resulting modulation of electro-optical properties inside the nanowire backbone promise to provide a new platform for novel mechano-electronic, thermoelectronic, and optoelectronic devices. Herein, we report a first experimental demonstration of self-organized and self-limited growth of coherent, periodic Ge QDs on a one dimensional Si nanowire substrate. Systematic characterizations reveal several distinctively different modes of Ge QD ordering on the Si nanowire substrate depending on the core diameter. In particular, Ge QD arrays on Si nanowires of around 20 nm diameter predominantly exhibit an anti-correlated pattern whose wavelength agrees with theoretical predictions. The correlated pattern can be attributed to propagation and correlation of misfit strain across the diameter of the thin nanowire substrate. The QD array growth is self-limited as the wavelength of the QDs remains unchanged even after prolonged Ge deposition. Furthermore, we demonstrate a direct kinetic transformation from a uniform Ge shell layer to discrete QD arrays by a post-growth annealing process. PMID:22889063

Fabrication of Si/ZnS radial nanowire heterojunction arrays for white light emitting devices on Si substrates.

PubMed

Katiyar, Ajit K; Sinha, Arun Kumar; Manna, Santanu; Ray, Samit K

2014-09-10

Well-separated Si/ZnS radial nanowire heterojunction-based light-emitting devices have been fabricated on large-area substrates by depositing n-ZnS film on p-type nanoporous Si nanowire templates. Vertically oriented porous Si nanowires on p-Si substrates have been grown by metal-assisted chemical etching catalyzed using Au nanoparticles. Isolated Si nanowires with needle-shaped arrays have been made by KOH treatment before ZnS deposition. Electrically driven efficient white light emission from radial heterojunction arrays has been achieved under a low forward bias condition. The observed white light emission is attributed to blue and green emission from the defect-related radiative transition of ZnS and Si/ZnS interface, respectively, while the red arises from the porous surface of the Si nanowire core. The observed white light emission from the Si/ZnS nanowire heterojunction could open up the new possibility to integrate Si-based optical sources on a large scale.

Superconducting Properties of Lead-Bismuth Films Controlled by Ferromagnetic Nanowire Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Zuxin; Lyuksyutov, Igor F.; Wu, Wenhao; Naugle, Donald G.

2011-03-01

Superconducting properties of lead-bismuth (82% Pb and 18% Bi) alloy films deposited on ferromagnetic nanowire arrays have been investigated. Ferromagnetic Co or Ni nanowires are first electroplated into the columnar pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. Superconducting Pb 82 Bi 18 films are then quench-condensed onto the polished surface of the AAO membranes filled with magnetic nanowires. A strong dependence of the Pb 82 Bi 18 superconducting properties on the ratio of the superconducting film thickness to the magnetic nanowire diameter and the material variety was observed.

Superconducting properties of Pb82Bi18 films controlled by ferromagnetic nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Zuxin; Lyuksyutov, Igor F.; Wu, Wenhao; Naugle, Donald G.

2011-02-01

The superconducting properties of Pb82Bi18 alloy films deposited on ferromagnetic nanowire arrays have been investigated. Ferromagnetic Co or Ni nanowires are first electroplated into the columnar pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. Superconducting Pb82Bi18 films are then quench condensed onto the polished surface of the AAO membranes filled with magnetic nanowires. A strong dependence of the Pb82Bi18 superconducting properties on the ratio of the superconducting film thickness to the magnetic nanowire diameter and material variety was observed.

A New One-dimensional Quantum Material - Ta2Pd3Se8 Atomic Chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xue; Liu, Jinyu; Hu, Jin; Yue, Chunlei; Mao, Zhiqiang; Wei, Jiang; Antipina, Liubov; Sorokin, Pavel; Sanchez, Ana

Since the discovery of carbon nanotube, there has been a persistent effort to search for other one dimensional (1D) quantum systems. However, only a few examples have been found. We report a new 1D example - semiconducting Ta2Pd3Se8. We demonstrate that the Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire as thin as 1.3nm can be easily obtained by applying simple mechanical exfoliation from its bulk counterpart. High resolution TEM shows an intrinsic 1D chain-like crystalline morphology on these nano wires, indicating weak bonding between these atomic chains. Theoretical calculation shows a direct bandgap structure, which evolves from 0.53eV in the bulk to 1.04eV in single atomic chain. The field effect transistor based on Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire achieved a promising performance with 104On/Off ratio and 80 cm2V-1s-1 mobility. Low temperature transport study reflects two different mechanisms, variable range hopping and thermal activation, which dominate the transport properties at different temperature regimes. Ta2Pd3Se8 nanowire provides an intrinsic 1D material system for the study low dimensional condensed matter physics.

Fabrication of free-standing copper foils covered with highly-ordered copper nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaraska, Leszek; Sulka, Grzegorz D.; Jaskuła, Marian

2012-07-01

The through-hole nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with relatively large surface area (ca. 2 cm2) were employed for fabrication of free-standing and mechanically stable copper foils covered with close-packed and highly-ordered copper nanowire arrays. The home-made AAO membranes with different pore diameters and interpore distances were fabricated via a two-step self-organized anodization of aluminum performed in sulfuric acid, oxalic acid and phosphoric acid followed by the pore opening/widening procedure. The direct current (DC) electrodeposition of copper was performed efficiently on both sides of AAO templates. The bottom side of the AAO templates was not insulated and consequently Cu nanowire arrays on thick Cu layers were obtained. The proposed template-assisted fabrication of free-standing copper nanowire array electrodes is a promising method for synthesis of nanostructured current collectors. The composition of Cu nanowires was confirmed by energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The structural features of nanowires were evaluated from field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images and compared with the characteristic parameters of anodic alumina membranes.

Fully Tunable Silicon Nanowire Arrays Fabricated by Soft Nanoparticle Templating.

PubMed

Rey, By Marcel; Elnathan, Roey; Ditcovski, Ran; Geisel, Karen; Zanini, Michele; Fernandez-Rodriguez, Miguel-Angel; Naik, Vikrant V; Frutiger, Andreas; Richtering, Walter; Ellenbogen, Tal; Voelcker, Nicolas H; Isa, Lucio

2016-01-13

We demonstrate a fabrication breakthrough to produce large-area arrays of vertically aligned silicon nanowires (VA-SiNWs) with full tunability of the geometry of the single nanowires and of the whole array, paving the way toward advanced programmable designs of nanowire platforms. At the core of our fabrication route, termed "Soft Nanoparticle Templating", is the conversion of gradually compressed self-assembled monolayers of soft nanoparticles (microgels) at a water-oil interface into customized lithographical masks to create VA-SiNW arrays by means of metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE). This combination of bottom-up and top-down techniques affords excellent control of nanowire etching site locations, enabling independent control of nanowire spacing, diameter and height in a single fabrication route. We demonstrate the fabrication of centimeter-scale two-dimensional gradient photonic crystals exhibiting continuously varying structural colors across the entire visible spectrum on a single silicon substrate, and the formation of tunable optical cavities supported by the VA-SiNWs, as unambiguously demonstrated through numerical simulations. Finally, Soft Nanoparticle Templating is combined with optical lithography to create hierarchical and programmable VA-SiNW patterns.

Waveguide modes in sparse III-V nanowire arrays for ultra-broadband tunable perfect absorbers (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fountaine, Katherine T.; Cheng, Wen-Hui; Bukowsky, Colton R.; Atwater, Harry A.

2016-09-01

Design of perfect absorbers and emitters has been a primary focus of the metamaterials community owing to their potential to enhance device efficiency and sensitivity in energy harvesting and sensing applications, specifically photovoltaics, thermal emission control, bolometers and photodetectors, to name a few. While reports of perfect absorbers/emitters for a specific frequency, wavevector, and polarization are ubiquitous, a broadband and polarization- and angle-insensitive perfect absorber remains a particular challenge. In this work, we report on directed optical design and fabrication of sparse III-V nanowire arrays as broadband, polarization- and angle-insensitive perfect absorbers and emitters. Specifically, we target response in the UV-Vis-NIR and NIR-SWIR-MWIR via two material systems, InP (Eg=1.34 eV) and InSb (Eg=0.17 eV), respectively. Herein, we present results on InP and InSb nanowire array broadband absorbers, supported by experiment, simulation and analytic theory. Electromagnetic simulations indicate that, with directed optical design, tapered nanowire arrays and multi-radii nanowire arrays with 5% fill fraction can achieve greater than 95% broadband absorption (λInP=400-900nm, λInSb=1.5-5.5µm), due to efficient excitation and interband transition-mediated attenuation of the HE11 waveguide mode. Experimentally-fabricated InP nanowire arrays embedded in PDMS achieved broadband, polarization- and angle-insensitive 90-95% absorption, limited primarily by reflection off the PDMS interface. Addition of a thin, planar VO2 layer above a sparse InSb nanowire array enables active thermal tunability in the infrared, effecting a 50% modulation, from 87% (insulating VO2) to 43% (metallic VO2) average absorption. These concepts and results along with photovoltaic and other optical and optoelectronic device applications will be discussed.

Evaluating focused ion beam patterning for position-controlled nanowire growth using computer vision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosberg, A. B.; Myklebost, S.; Ren, D.; Weman, H.; Fimland, B. O.; van Helvoort, A. T. J.

2017-09-01

To efficiently evaluate the novel approach of focused ion beam (FIB) direct patterning of substrates for nanowire growth, a reference matrix of hole arrays has been used to study the effect of ion fluence and hole diameter on nanowire growth. Self-catalyzed GaAsSb nanowires were grown using molecular beam epitaxy and studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To ensure an objective analysis, SEM images were analyzed with computer vision to automatically identify nanowires and characterize each array. It is shown that FIB milling parameters can be used to control the nanowire growth. Lower ion fluence and smaller diameter holes result in a higher yield (up to 83%) of single vertical nanowires, while higher fluence and hole diameter exhibit a regime of multiple nanowires. The catalyst size distribution and placement uniformity of vertical nanowires is best for low-value parameter combinations, indicating how to improve the FIB parameters for positioned-controlled nanowire growth.

Enhanced magnetic performance of metal-organic nanowire arrays by FeCo/polypyrrole co-electrodeposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, X. J.; Xia, W. B.; Gao, J. L.; Zhang, S. Y.; Li, Y. L.; Tang, S. L.; Du, Y. W.

2013-05-01

FeCo/polypyrrole (PPy) composite nanowire array, which shows enhanced magnetic remanence and coercivity along the nanowires, was fabricated by AC electrodeposition using anodic aluminum oxide templates. High resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that PPy grows on the surface of FeCo nanowires forming a coaxial nanowire structure, with a coating layer of about 4 nm. It suggests that the decreased dipolar interaction due to the reduced nanowire diameters is responsible for the enhancement of magnetic performance. The possible mechanism of this coating may be that PPy is inclined to nucleate along the pore wall of the templates.

Si-H induced synthesis of Si/Cu2O nanowire arrays for photoelectrochemical water splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shaoyang; She, Guangwei; Li, Shengyang; Mu, Lixuan; Shi, Wensheng

2018-01-01

We report a facile and low-cost method to synthesize Si/Cu2O heterojunction nanowire arrays, without SiOx, at the Si/Cu2O interface. The reductive Si-H bonds on the surface of Si nanowires plays a key role in situ by reducing Cu(II) ions to Cu2O nanocubes and avoiding the SiOx interface layer. Different pH values would vary the electrochemical potential of reactions and as a result, different products would be formed. Utilized as a photoanode for water splitting, Si/Cu2O nanowire arrays exhibit good photoelectrochemical performance.

Hierarchically structured Co₃O₄@Pt@MnO₂ nanowire arrays for high-performance supercapacitors.

PubMed

Xia, Hui; Zhu, Dongdong; Luo, Zhentao; Yu, Yue; Shi, Xiaoqin; Yuan, Guoliang; Xie, Jianping

2013-10-17

Here we proposed a novel architectural design of a ternary MnO2-based electrode - a hierarchical Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 core-shell-shell structure, where the complemental features of the three key components (a well-defined Co3O4 nanowire array on the conductive Ti substrate, an ultrathin layer of small Pt nanoparticles, and a thin layer of MnO2 nanoflakes) are strategically combined into a single entity to synergize and construct a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors. Owing to the high conductivity of the well-defined Co3O4 nanowire arrays, in which the conductivity was further enhanced by a thin metal (Pt) coating layer, in combination with the large surface area provided by the small MnO2 nanoflakes, the as-fabricated Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 nanowire arrays have exhibited high specific capacitances, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The architectural design demonstrated in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance MnO2-based nanowire arrays for constructing next-generation supercapacitors.

Hierarchically Structured Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 Nanowire Arrays for High-Performance Supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Hui; Zhu, Dongdong; Luo, Zhentao; Yu, Yue; Shi, Xiaoqin; Yuan, Guoliang; Xie, Jianping

2013-10-01

Here we proposed a novel architectural design of a ternary MnO2-based electrode - a hierarchical Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 core-shell-shell structure, where the complemental features of the three key components (a well-defined Co3O4 nanowire array on the conductive Ti substrate, an ultrathin layer of small Pt nanoparticles, and a thin layer of MnO2 nanoflakes) are strategically combined into a single entity to synergize and construct a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors. Owing to the high conductivity of the well-defined Co3O4 nanowire arrays, in which the conductivity was further enhanced by a thin metal (Pt) coating layer, in combination with the large surface area provided by the small MnO2 nanoflakes, the as-fabricated Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 nanowire arrays have exhibited high specific capacitances, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The architectural design demonstrated in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance MnO2-based nanowire arrays for constructing next-generation supercapacitors.

Heterogeneous NiCo2O4@polypyrrole core/sheath nanowire arrays on Ni foam for high performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Jing; Li, Minchan; Lv, Fucong; Yang, Mingyang; Tao, Pengpeng; Tang, Yougen; Liu, Hongtao; Lu, Zhouguang

2015-10-01

A novel heterogeneous NiCo2O4@PPy core/sheath nanowire arrays are directly grown on Ni foam involving three facile steps, hydrothermal synthesis and calcination of NiCo2O4 nanowire arrays and subsequent in-situ oxidative polymerization of polypyrrole (PPy). When investigated as binder- and conductive additive-free electrodes for supercapacitors (SCs) in 6 M KOH, the NiCo2O4@PPy core/sheath nanowire arrays exhibit high areal capacitance of 3.49 F cm-2 at a discharge current density of 5 mA cm-2, which is almost 1.5 times as much as the pristine NiCo2O4 (2.30 F cm-2). More importantly, it can remain 3.31 F cm-2 (94.8% retention) after 5000 cycles. The as-obtained electrode also displays excellent rate capability, whose areal capacitance can still remain 2.79 F cm-2 while the discharge current density is increased to 50 mA cm-2. The remarkable electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the unique heterogeneous core/sheath nanowire-array architectures.

Scalable Top-Down Approach Tailored by Interferometric Lithography to Achieve Large-Area Single-Mode GaN Nanowire Laser Arrays on Sapphire Substrate.

PubMed

Behzadirad, Mahmoud; Nami, Mohsen; Wostbrock, Neal; Zamani Kouhpanji, Mohammad Reza; Feezell, Daniel F; Brueck, Steven R J; Busani, Tito

2018-03-27

GaN nanowires are promising for optical and optoelectronic applications because of their waveguiding properties and large optical band gap. However, developing a precise, scalable, and cost-effective fabrication method with a high degree of controllability to obtain high-aspect-ratio nanowires with high optical properties and minimum crystal defects remains a challenge. Here, we present a scalable two-step top-down approach using interferometric lithography, for which parameters can be controlled precisely to achieve highly ordered arrays of nanowires with excellent quality and desired aspect ratios. The wet-etch mechanism is investigated, and the etch rates of m-planes {11̅00} (sidewalls) were measured to be 2.5 to 70 nm/h depending on the Si doping concentration. Using this method, uniform nanowire arrays were achieved over a large area (>10 5 μm 2 ) with an spect ratio as large as 50, a radius as small as 17 nm, and atomic-scale sidewall roughness (<1 nm). FDTD modeling demonstrated HE 11 is the dominant transverse mode in the nanowires with a radius of sub-100 nm, and single-mode lasing from vertical cavity nanowire arrays with different doping concentrations on a sapphire substrate was interestingly observed in photoluminescence measurements. High Q-factors of ∼1139-2443 were obtained in nanowire array lasers with a radius and length of 65 nm and 2 μm, respectively, corresponding to a line width of 0.32-0.15 nm (minimum threshold of 3.31 MW/cm 2 ). Our results show that fabrication of high-quality GaN nanowire arrays with adaptable aspect ratio and large-area uniformity is feasible through a top-down approach using interferometric lithography and is promising for fabrication of III-nitride-based nanophotonic devices (radial/axial) on the original substrate.

Large-area fabrication of patterned ZnO-nanowire arrays using light stamping lithography.

PubMed

Hwang, Jae K; Cho, Sangho; Seo, Eun K; Myoung, Jae M; Sung, Myung M

2009-12-01

We demonstrate selective adsorption and alignment of ZnO nanowires on patterned poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) thin layers with (aminopropyl)siloxane self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Light stamping lithography (LSL) was used to prepare patterned PDMS thin layers as neutral passivation regions on Si substrates. (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-based SAMs were selectively formed only on regions exposing the silanol groups of the Si substrates. The patterned positively charged amino groups define and direct the selective adsorption of ZnO nanowires with negative surface charges in the protic solvent. This procedure can be adopted in automated printing machines that generate patterned ZnO-nanowire arrays on large-area substrates. To demonstrate its usefulness, the LSL method was applied to prepare ZnO-nanowire transistor arrays on 4-in. Si wafers.

Template-assisted fabrication of tin and antimony based nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaraska, Leszek; Kurowska, Elżbieta; Sulka, Grzegorz D.; Jaskuła, Marian

2012-10-01

Antimony nanowires with diameters ranging from 35 nm to 320 nm were successfully prepared by simple, galvanostatic electrodeposition inside the pores of anodic alumina membranes from a citrate based electrolyte. The use of the potassium antimonyl tartrate electrolyte for electrodeposition results in the formation of Sb/Sb2O3 nanowires. The structural features of the nanowire arrays were investigated by FE-SEM, and the nanowire composition was confirmed by EDS and XRD measurements. A distinct peak at about 27.5° in the XRD pattern recorded for nanowires formed in the tartrate electrolyte was attributed to the presence of co-deposited Sb2O3. Three types of dense arrays of Sn-SnSb nanowires with diameters ranging from 82 nm to 325 nm were also synthesized by DC galvanostatic electrodeposition into the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes for the first time. Only Sn and SnSb peaks appeared in the XRD pattern and both phases seem to have a relatively high degree of crystallinity. The influence of current density applied during electrodeposition on the composition of nanowires was investigated. It was found that the Sb content in fabricated nanowires decreases with increasing current density. The diameters of all synthesized nanowires roughly correspond to the dimensions of the nanochannels of AAO templates used for electrodeposition.

Vertical group III-V nanowires on si, heterostructures, flexible arrays and fabrication

DOEpatents

Wang, Deli; Soci, Cesare; Bao, Xinyu; Wei, Wei; Jing, Yi; Sun, Ke

2015-01-13

Embodiments of the invention provide a method for direct heteroepitaxial growth of vertical III-V semiconductor nanowires on a silicon substrate. The silicon substrate is etched to substantially completely remove native oxide. It is promptly placed in a reaction chamber. The substrate is heated and maintained at a growth temperature. Group III-V precursors are flowed for a growth time. Preferred embodiment vertical Group III-V nanowires on silicon have a core-shell structure, which provides a radial homojunction or heterojunction. A doped nanowire core is surrounded by a shell with complementary doping. Such can provide high optical absorption due to the long optical path in the axial direction of the vertical nanowires, while reducing considerably the distance over which carriers must diffuse before being collected in the radial direction. Alloy composition can also be varied. Radial and axial homojunctions and heterojunctions can be realized. Embodiments provide for flexible Group III-V nanowire structures. An array of Group III-V nanowire structures is embedded in polymer. A fabrication method forms the vertical nanowires on a substrate, e.g., a silicon substrate. Preferably, the nanowires are formed by the preferred methods for fabrication of Group III-V nanowires on silicon. Devices can be formed with core/shell and core/multi-shell nanowires and the devices are released from the substrate upon which the nanowires were formed to create a flexible structure that includes an array of vertical nanowires embedded in polymer.

Catalyst-free, III-V nanowire photovoltaics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davies, D. G.; Lambert, N.; Fry, P. W.; Foster, A.; Krysa, A. B.; Wilson, L. R.

2014-05-01

We report on room temperature, photovoltaic operation of catalyst-free GaAs p-i-n junction nanowire arrays. Growth studies were first performed to determine the optimum conditions for controlling the vertical and lateral growth of the nanowires. Following this, devices consisting of axial p-i-n junctions were fabricated by planarising the nanowire arrays with a hard baked polymer. We discuss the photovoltaic properties of this proof-of-concept device, and significant improvements to be made during the growth.

Growth of Vertically Aligned ZnO Nanowire Arrays Using Bilayered Metal Catalysts

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

12] J. P. Liu, C. X. Guo, C. M. Li et al., “Carbon-decorated ZnO nanowire array: a novel platform for direct electrochemistry of enzymes and...cited. Vertically aligned, high-density ZnO nanowires (NWs) were grown for the first time on c-plane sapphire using binary alloys of Ni/Au or Cu/Au as...deleterious to the ZnO NW array growth. Significant improvement of the Au adhesion on the substrate was noted, opening the potential for direct

Two-dimensional PdSe2-Pd2Se3 junctions can serve as nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zuluaga, Sebastian; Lin, Junhao; Suenaga, Kazu; Pantelides, Sokrates T.

2018-07-01

While the exfoliation of almost all layered materials results in a monolayer with the same atomic geometry as its bulk counterpart, the exfoliation of PdSe2 results in a monolayer with a different atomic geometry and a new stoichiometry, Pd2Se3, which is a fusion of two PdSe2 monolayers mediated by Se emission. Here we first report first-principles calculations of lateral junctions between a PdSe2 bilayer and a Pd2Se3 monolayer. We find that, while several distinct junction geometries are possible, they all exhibit empty interface states below the conduction band. As a result, light n-type doping of either or both sides, e.g. by halogen atoms replacing Se atoms, leads to a remotely-doped interface, i.e. a 1D conducting nanowire that runs along the junction, in between the two semiconductors. We have fabricated such junctions inside a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), but doping and transport measurements are not currently practical.

Localized temperature and chemical reaction control in nanoscale space by nanowire array.

PubMed

Jin, C Yan; Li, Zhiyong; Williams, R Stanley; Lee, K-Cheol; Park, Inkyu

2011-11-09

We introduce a novel method for chemical reaction control with nanoscale spatial resolution based on localized heating by using a well-aligned nanowire array. Numerical and experimental analysis shows that each individual nanowire could be selectively and rapidly Joule heated for local and ultrafast temperature modulation in nanoscale space (e.g., maximum temperature gradient 2.2 K/nm at the nanowire edge; heating/cooling time < 2 μs). By taking advantage of this capability, several nanoscale chemical reactions such as polymer decomposition/cross-linking and direct and localized hydrothermal synthesis of metal oxide nanowires were demonstrated.

Resonant features of the terahertz generation in semiconductor nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Trukhin, V. N., E-mail: valera.truchin@mail.ioffe.ru; Bouravleuv, A. D.; Mustafin, I. A.

2016-12-15

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the generation of terahertz radiation in periodic arrays of GaAs nanowires via excitation by ultrashort optical pulses. It is found that the generation of THz radiation exhibits resonant behavior due to the resonant excitation of cylindrical modes in the nanowires. At the optimal geometric parameters of the nanowire array, the generation efficiency is found to be higher than that for bulk p-InAs, which is one of the most effective coherent terahertz emitters.

Co/Au multisegmented nanowires: a 3D array of magnetostatically coupled nanopillars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bran, C.; Ivanov, Yu P.; Kosel, J.; Chubykalo-Fesenko, O.; Vazquez, M.

2017-03-01

Arrays of multisegmented Co/Au nanowires with designed segment lengths and diameters have been prepared by electrodeposition into aluminum oxide templates. The high quality of the Co/Au interface and the crystallographic structure of Co segments have determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Magnetic hysteresis loop measurements show larger coercivity and squareness of multisegmented nanowires as compared to single segment Co nanowires. The complementary micromagnetic simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results, confirming that the magnetic behavior is defined mainly by magnetostatic coupling between different segments. The proposed structure constitutes an innovative route towards a 3D array of synchronized magnetic nano-oscillators with large potential in nanoelectronics.

Preparation and enhanced infrared response properties of ordered W-doped VO2 nanowire array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Bing He; Fu, Wen Biao; Fei, Guang Tao; Xu, Shao Hui; Gao, Xu Dong; Zhang, Li De

2018-04-01

In this article, pure and tungsten-doped (W-doped) highly ordered two-dimensional (2D) vanadium dioxide (VO2) nanowire arrays were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal treatment, followed by a self-assembly progress and the in-situ high temperature treatment. The infrared photodetector devices based on monoclinic VO2 (VO2(M)) and W-doped VO2(M) nanowires were comparatively studied . It was found that the device based on W-doped VO2(M) nanowires exhibits a rapid infrared response and an enhanced photoelectric responsivity of 21.4 mA/W under the incident infrared light intensity of 280 mW/cm2, which is nearly two orders of magnitude superior to pure VO2(M) nanowire array. Our experimental results provided a direct and convenient path for design of future high-performance photodetector devices.

FIB-tomographic studies on chemical vapor deposition grown SnO2 nanowire arrays on TiO2 (001)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Haoyun; Liu, Yi; Wu, Hong; Xiong, Xiang; Pan, Jun

2016-12-01

Tin oxide nanowire arrays on titania (001) have been successfully fabricated by chemical vapor deposition of Sn(O t Bu)4 precursor. The morphologies and structures of ordered SnO2 nanowires (NWs) were analyzed by cross-sectional SEM, HR-TEM and AFM. An FIB-tomography technique was applied in order to reconstruct a 3D presentation of ordered SnO2 nanowires. The achieved 3D analysis showed the spatial orientation and angles of ordered SnO2 NWs can be obtained in a one-shot experiment, and the distribution of Au catalysts showed the competition between 1D and 2D growth. The SnO2 nanowire arrays can be potentially used as a diameter- and surface-dependent sensing unit for the detection of gas- and bio-molecules.

III-nitride nanowire LEDs and diode lasers: monolithic light sources on (001) Si emitting in the 600-1300nm range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, P.; Hazari, A.; Jahangir, S.

2018-02-01

GaN-based nanowire heterostructure arrays epitaxially grown on (001)Si substrates have unique properties and present the potential to realize useful devices. The active light-emitting region in the nanowire heterostructures are usually InGaN disks, whose composition can be varied to tune the emission wavelength. We have demonstrated light emitting diodes and edgeemitting diode lasers with power outputs 10mW with emission in the 600-1300nm wavelength range. These light sources are therefore useful for a variety of applications, including silicon photonics. Molecular beam epitaxial growth of the nanowire heterostructure arrays on (001)Si substrates and the characteristics of 1.3μm nanowire array edge emitting lasers, guided wave photodiodes and a monolithic photonic integrated circuit designed for 1.3μm operation are described.

Optimization of GaAs Nanowire Pin Junction Array Solar Cells by Using AlGaAs/GaAs Heterojunctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yao; Yan, Xin; Wei, Wei; Zhang, Jinnan; Zhang, Xia; Ren, Xiaomin

2018-04-01

We optimized the performance of GaAs nanowire pin junction array solar cells by introducing AlGaAs/GaAs heterejunctions. AlGaAs is used for the p type top segment for axial junctions and the p type outer shell for radial junctions. The AlGaAs not only serves as passivation layers for GaAs nanowires but also confines the optical generation in the active regions, reducing the recombination loss in heavily doped regions and the minority carrier recombination at the top contact. The results show that the conversion efficiency of GaAs nanowires can be greatly enhanced by using AlGaAs for the p segment instead of GaAs. A maximum efficiency enhancement of 8.42% has been achieved in this study. And for axial nanowire, by using AlGaAs for the top p segment, a relatively long top segment can be employed without degenerating device performance, which could facilitate the fabrication and contacting of nanowire array solar cells. While for radial nanowires, AlGaAs/GaAs nanowires show better tolerance to p-shell thickness and surface condition.

Optimization of GaAs Nanowire Pin Junction Array Solar Cells by Using AlGaAs/GaAs Heterojunctions.

PubMed

Wu, Yao; Yan, Xin; Wei, Wei; Zhang, Jinnan; Zhang, Xia; Ren, Xiaomin

2018-04-25

We optimized the performance of GaAs nanowire pin junction array solar cells by introducing AlGaAs/GaAs heterejunctions. AlGaAs is used for the p type top segment for axial junctions and the p type outer shell for radial junctions. The AlGaAs not only serves as passivation layers for GaAs nanowires but also confines the optical generation in the active regions, reducing the recombination loss in heavily doped regions and the minority carrier recombination at the top contact. The results show that the conversion efficiency of GaAs nanowires can be greatly enhanced by using AlGaAs for the p segment instead of GaAs. A maximum efficiency enhancement of 8.42% has been achieved in this study. And for axial nanowire, by using AlGaAs for the top p segment, a relatively long top segment can be employed without degenerating device performance, which could facilitate the fabrication and contacting of nanowire array solar cells. While for radial nanowires, AlGaAs/GaAs nanowires show better tolerance to p-shell thickness and surface condition.

Oriented epitaxial TiO2 nanowires for water splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Wenting; Cortez, Pablo; Wuhrer, Richard; Macartney, Sam; Bozhilov, Krassimir N.; Liu, Rong; Sheppard, Leigh R.; Kisailus, David

2017-06-01

Highly oriented epitaxial rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanowire arrays have been hydrothermally grown on polycrystalline TiO2 templates with their orientation dependent on the underlying TiO2 grain. Both the diameter and areal density of the nanowires were tuned by controlling the precursor concentration, and the template surface energy and roughness. Nanowire tip sharpness was influenced by precursor solubility and diffusivity. A new secondary ion mass spectrometer technique has been developed to install additional nucleation sites in single crystal TiO2 templates and the effect on nanowire growth was probed. Using the acquired TiO2 nanowire synthesis knowhow, an assortment of nanowire arrays were installed upon the surface of undoped TiO2 photo-electrodes and assessed for their photo-electrochemical water splitting performance. The key result obtained was that the presence of short and dispersed nanowire arrays significantly improved the photocurrent when the illumination intensity was increased from 100 to 200 mW cm-2. This is attributed to the alignment of the homoepitaxially grown nanowires to the [001] direction, which provides the fastest charge transport in TiO2 and an improved pathway for photo-holes to find water molecules and undertake oxidation. This result lays a foundation for achieving efficient water splitting under conditions of concentrated solar illumination.

Improving emission uniformity and linearizing band dispersion in nanowire arrays using quasi-aperiodicity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anderson, P. Duke; Koleske, Daniel D.; Povinelli, Michelle L.

For this study, we experimentally investigate a new class of quasi-aperiodic structures for improving the emission pattern in nanowire arrays. Efficient normal emission, as well as lasing, can be obtained from III-nitride photonic crystal (PhC) nanowire arrays that utilize slow group velocity modes near the Γ-point in reciprocal space. However, due to symmetry considerations, the emitted far-field pattern of such modes are often ‘donut’-like. Many applications, including lighting for displays or lasers, require a more uniform beam profile in the far-field. Previous work has improved far-field beam uniformity of uncoupled modes by changing the shape of the emitting structure. However,more » in nanowire systems, the shape of nanowires cannot always be arbitrarily changed due to growth or etch considerations. Here, we investigate breaking symmetry by instead changing the position of emitters. Using a quasi-aperiodic geometry, which changes the emitter position within a photonic crystal supercell (2x2), we are able to linearize the photonic bandstructure near the Γ-point and greatly improve emitted far-field uniformity. We realize the III-nitride nanowires structures using a top-down fabrication procedure that produces nanowires with smooth, vertical sidewalls. Comparison of room-temperature micro-photoluminescence (µ-PL) measurements between periodic and quasi-aperiodic nanowire arrays reveal resonances in each structure, with the simple periodic structure producing a donut beam in the emitted far-field and the quasi-aperiodic structure producing a uniform Gaussian-like beam. We investigate the input pump power vs. output intensity in both systems and observe the simple periodic array exhibiting a non-linear relationship, indicative of lasing. We believe that the quasi-aperiodic approach studied here provides an alternate and promising strategy for shaping the emission pattern of nanoemitter systems.« less

Hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowire arrays: fine tuning by precursor supersaturation

DOE PAGES

Yan, Danhua; Cen, Jiajie; Zhang, Wenrui; ...

2016-12-20

In this paper, we develop a technique that fine tunes the hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires to address the difficulties in controlling their growth in a conventional one-pot hydrothermal method. In our technique, precursors are separately and slowly supplied with the assistance of a syringe pump, through the entire course of the growth. Compared to the one-pot method, the significantly lowered supersaturation of precursors helps eliminating competitive homogeneous nucleation and improves the reproducibility. The supersaturation degree can be readily tuned by the precursor quantity and injection rate, thus forming ZnO nanowire arrays of various geometries and packing densities in amore » highly controllable fashion. The precise control of ZnO nanowire growth enables systematic studies on the correlation between the material's properties and its morphology. Finally, in this work, ZnO nanowire arrays of various morphologies are studied as photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting photoanodes, in which we establish clear correlations between the water splitting performance and the nanowires' size, shape, and packing density.« less

Understanding Self-Catalyzed Epitaxial Growth of III-V Nanowires toward Controlled Synthesis.

PubMed

Zi, Yunlong; Suslov, Sergey; Yang, Chen

2017-02-08

The self-catalyzed growth of III-V nanowires has drawn plenty of attention due to the potential of integration in current Si-based technologies. The homoparticle-assisted vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism has been demonstrated for self-catalyzed III-V nanowire growth. However, the understandings of the preferred growth sites of these nanowires are still limited, which obstructs the controlled synthesis and the applications of self-catalyzed nanowire arrays. Here, we experimentally demonstrated that thermally created pits could serve as the preferred sites for self-catalyzed InAs nanowire growth. On that basis, we performed a pregrowth annealing strategy to promote the nanowire density by enhancing the pits formation on the substrate surface and enable the nanowire growth on the substrate that was not capable to facilitate the growth. The discovery of the preferred self-catalyzed nanowire growth sites and the pregrowth annealing strategy have shown great potentials for controlled self-catalyzed III-V nanowire array growth with preferred locations and density.

Ultrahigh-Density Nanowire Arrays Grown in Self-Assembled Diblock Copolymer Templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thurn-Albrecht, T.; Schotter, J.; Kästle, G. A.; Emley, N.; Shibauchi, T.; Krusin-Elbaum, L.; Guarini, K.; Black, C. T.; Tuominen, M. T.; Russell, T. P.

2000-12-01

We show a simple, robust, chemical route to the fabrication of ultrahigh-density arrays of nanopores with high aspect ratios using the equilibrium self-assembled morphology of asymmetric diblock copolymers. The dimensions and lateral density of the array are determined by segmental interactions and the copolymer molecular weight. Through direct current electrodeposition, we fabricated vertical arrays of nanowires with densities in excess of 1.9 × 1011 wires per square centimeter. We found markedly enhanced coercivities with ferromagnetic cobalt nanowires that point toward a route to ultrahigh-density storage media. The copolymer approach described is practical, parallel, compatible with current lithographic processes, and amenable to multilayered device fabrication.

Hierarchically Structured Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 Nanowire Arrays for High-Performance Supercapacitors

PubMed Central

Xia, Hui; Zhu, Dongdong; Luo, Zhentao; Yu, Yue; Shi, Xiaoqin; Yuan, Guoliang; Xie, Jianping

2013-01-01

Here we proposed a novel architectural design of a ternary MnO2-based electrode – a hierarchical Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 core-shell-shell structure, where the complemental features of the three key components (a well-defined Co3O4 nanowire array on the conductive Ti substrate, an ultrathin layer of small Pt nanoparticles, and a thin layer of MnO2 nanoflakes) are strategically combined into a single entity to synergize and construct a high-performance electrode for supercapacitors. Owing to the high conductivity of the well-defined Co3O4 nanowire arrays, in which the conductivity was further enhanced by a thin metal (Pt) coating layer, in combination with the large surface area provided by the small MnO2 nanoflakes, the as-fabricated Co3O4@Pt@MnO2 nanowire arrays have exhibited high specific capacitances, good rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The architectural design demonstrated in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance MnO2–based nanowire arrays for constructing next-generation supercapacitors. PMID:24132040

Large-scale fabrication of single crystalline tin nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Bin; Yang, Dachi; Liang, Minghui; Zhi, Linjie

2010-09-01

Large-scale single crystalline tin nanowire arrays with preferred lattice orientation along the [100] direction were fabricated in porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes by the electrodeposition method using copper nanorod as a second electrode.Large-scale single crystalline tin nanowire arrays with preferred lattice orientation along the [100] direction were fabricated in porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes by the electrodeposition method using copper nanorod as a second electrode. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details and the information for single crystalline copper nanorods. See DOI: 10.1039/c0nr00206b

Detecting Airborne Mercury by Use of Gold Nanowires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, Margaret; Shevade, Abhijit; Kisor, Adam; Homer, Margie; Soler, Jessica; Mung, Nosang; Nix, Megan

2009-01-01

Like the palladium chloride (PdCl2) films described in the immediately preceding article, gold nanowire sensors have been found to be useful for detecting airborne elemental mercury at concentrations on the order of parts per billion (ppb). Also like the PdCl2 films, gold nanowire sensors can be regenerated under conditions much milder than those necessary for regeneration of gold films that have been used as airborne-Hg sensors. The interest in nanowire sensors in general is prompted by the expectation that nanowires of a given material covering a given surface may exhibit greater sensitivity than does a film of the same material because nanowires have a greater surface area. In preparation for experiments to demonstrate this sensor concept, sensors were fabricated by depositing gold nanowires, variously, on microhotplate or microarray sensor substrates. In the experiments, the electrical resistances were measured while the sensors were exposed to air at a temperature of 25 C and relative humidity of about 30 percent containing mercury at various concentrations from 2 to 70 ppb (see figure). The results of this and other experiments have been interpreted as signifying that sensors of this type can detect mercury at ppb concentrations in room-temperature air and can be regenerated by exposure to clean flowing air at temperatures <40 C.

Air-bridged Ohmic contact on vertically aligned si nanowire arrays: application to molecule sensors.

PubMed

Han, Hee; Kim, Jungkil; Shin, Ho Sun; Song, Jae Yong; Lee, Woo

2012-05-02

A simple, cost-effective, and highly reliable method for constructing an air-bridged electrical contact on large arrays of vertically aligned nanowires was developed. The present method may open up new opportunities for developing advanced nanowire-based devices for energy harvest and storage, power generation, and sensing applications. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electronic transport properties of single-crystal bismuth nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhibo; Sun, Xiangzhong; Dresselhaus, M. S.; Ying, Jackie Y.; Heremans, J.

2000-02-01

We present here a detailed study of the electrical transport properties of single-crystal bismuth nanowire arrays embedded in a dielectric matrix. Measurements of the resistance of Bi nanowire arrays with different wire diameters (60-110 nm) have been carried out over a wide range of temperatures (2.0-300 K) and magnetic fields (0-5.4 T). The transport properties of a heavily Te-doped Bi nanowire array have also been studied. At low temperatures, we show that the wire boundary scattering is the dominant scattering process for carriers in the undoped single-crystal Bi nanowires, while boundary scattering is less important for a heavily Te-doped sample, consistent with general theoretical considerations. The temperature dependences of the zero-field resistivity and of the longitudinal magneto-coefficient of the Bi nanowires were also studied and were found to be sensitive to the wire diameter. The quantum confinement of carriers is believed to play an important role in determining the overall temperature dependence of the zero-field resistivity. Theoretical considerations of the quantum confinement effects on the electronic band structure and on the transport properties of Bi nanowires are discussed. Despite the evidence for localization effects and diffusive electron interactions at low temperatures (T<=4.0 K), localization effects are not the dominant mechanisms affecting the resistivity or the magnetoresistance in the temperature range of this study.

Large-scale fabrication of single crystalline tin nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Luo, Bin; Yang, Dachi; Liang, Minghui; Zhi, Linjie

2010-09-01

Large-scale single crystalline tin nanowire arrays with preferred lattice orientation along the [100] direction were fabricated in porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes by the electrodeposition method using copper nanorod as a second electrode.

Hierarchical Mesoporous Zinc-Nickel-Cobalt Ternary Oxide Nanowire Arrays on Nickel Foam as High-Performance Electrodes for Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Wu, Chun; Cai, Junjie; Zhang, Qiaobao; Zhou, Xiang; Zhu, Ying; Shen, Pei Kang; Zhang, Kaili

2015-12-09

Nickel foam supported hierarchical mesoporous Zn-Ni-Co ternary oxide (ZNCO) nanowire arrays are synthesized by a simple two-step approach including a hydrothermal method and subsequent calcination process and directly utilized for supercapacitive investigation for the first time. The nickel foam supported hierarchical mesoporous ZNCO nanowire arrays possess an ultrahigh specific capacitance value of 2481.8 F g(-1) at 1 A g(-1) and excellent rate capability of about 91.9% capacitance retention at 5 A g(-1). More importantly, an asymmetric supercapacitor with a high energy density (35.6 Wh kg(-1)) and remarkable cycle stability performance (94% capacitance retention over 3000 cycles) is assembled successfully by employing the ZNCO electrode as positive electrode and activated carbon as negative electrode. The remarkable electrochemical behaviors demonstrate that the nickel foam supported hierarchical mesoporous ZNCO nanowire array electrodes are highly desirable for application as advanced supercapacitor electrodes.

Highly organised and dense vertical silicon nanowire arrays grown in porous alumina template on <100> silicon wafers

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

In this work, nanoimprint lithography combined with standard anodization etching is used to make perfectly organised triangular arrays of vertical cylindrical alumina nanopores onto standard <100>−oriented silicon wafers. Both the pore diameter and the period of alumina porous array are well controlled and can be tuned: the periods vary from 80 to 460 nm, and the diameters vary from 15 nm to any required diameter. These porous thin layers are then successfully used as templates for the guided epitaxial growth of organised mono-crystalline silicon nanowire arrays in a chemical vapour deposition chamber. We report the densities of silicon nanowires up to 9 × 109 cm−2 organised in highly regular arrays with excellent diameter distribution. All process steps are demonstrated on surfaces up to 2 × 2 cm2. Specific emphasis was made to select techniques compatible with microelectronic fabrication standards, adaptable to large surface samples and with a reasonable cost. Achievements made in the quality of the porous alumina array, therefore on the silicon nanowire array, widen the number of potential applications for this technology, such as optical detectors or biological sensors. PMID:23773702

Ferromagnetic resonance in low interacting permalloy nanowire arrays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raposo, V.; Zazo, M.; Flores, A. G.

2016-04-14

Dipolar interactions on magnetic nanowire arrays have been investigated by various techniques. One of the most powerful techniques is the ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy, because the resonance field depends directly on the anisotropy field strength and its frequency dependence. In order to evaluate the influence of magnetostatic dipolar interactions among ferromagnetic nanowire arrays, several densely packed hexagonal arrays of NiFe nanowires have been prepared by electrochemical deposition filling self-ordered nanopores of alumina membranes with different pore sizes but keeping the same interpore distance. Nanowires’ diameter was changed from 90 to 160 nm, while the lattice parameter was fixed to 300 nm, which wasmore » achieved by carefully reducing the pore diameter by means of Atomic Layer Deposition of conformal Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layers on the nanoporous alumina templates. Field and frequency dependence of ferromagnetic resonance have been studied in order to obtain the dispersion diagram which gives information about anisotropy, damping factor, and gyromagnetic ratio. The relationship between resonance frequency and magnetic field can be explained by the roles played by the shape anisotropy and dipolar interactions among the ferromagnetic nanowires.« less

Guided growth of horizontal GaN nanowires on quartz and their transfer to other substrates.

PubMed

Goren-Ruck, Lior; Tsivion, David; Schvartzman, Mark; Popovitz-Biro, Ronit; Joselevich, Ernesto

2014-03-25

The guided growth of horizontal nanowires has so far been demonstrated on a limited number of substrates. In most cases, the nanowires are covalently bonded to the substrate where they grow and cannot be transferred to other substrates. Here we demonstrate the guided growth of well-aligned horizontal GaN nanowires on quartz and their subsequent transfer to silicon wafers by selective etching of the quartz while maintaining their alignment. The guided growth was observed on different planes of quartz with varying degrees of alignment. We characterized the crystallographic orientations of the nanowires and proposed a new mechanism of "dynamic graphoepitaxy" for their guided growth on quartz. The transfer of the guided nanowires enabled the fabrication of back-gated field-effect transistors from aligned nanowire arrays on oxidized silicon wafers and the production of crossbar arrays. The guided growth of transferrable nanowires opens up the possibility of massively parallel integration of nanowires into functional systems on virtually any desired substrate.

Disposable sensor based on enzyme-free Ni nanowire array electrode to detect glutamate.

PubMed

Jamal, Mamun; Hasan, Maksudul; Mathewson, Alan; Razeeb, Kafil M

2013-02-15

Enzyme free electrochemical sensor platform based on a vertically aligned nickel nanowire array (NiNAE) and Pt coated nickel nanowire array (Pt/NiNAE) have been developed to detect glutamate. Morphological characterisation of Ni electrodes was carried out using scanning and transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometry were used to evaluate the catalytic activity of the NiNAE and the Pt/NiNAE for glutamate. It has been found that both NiNAE and Pt/NiNAE electrodes showed remarkably enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards glutamate compared to planar Ni electrodes, and showed higher catalytic activity when compared to other metallic nanostructure electrodes such as gold nanowire array electrodes (AuNAE) and Pt coated gold nanowire array electrode (Pt/AuNAE). The sensitivity of NiNAE and Pt/NiNAE has been found to be 65 and 96 μA mM(-1) cm(-2), respectively, which is approximately 6 to 9 times higher than the state of the art glutamate sensor. Under optimal detection conditions, the as prepared sensors exhibited linear behaviour for glutamate detection in the concentration up to 8mM for both NiNAE and Pt/NiNAE with a limit of detection of 68 and 83 μM, respectively. Experimental results show that the vertically aligned ordered nickel nanowire array electrode (NiNAE) has significant promise for fabricating cost effective, enzyme-less, sensitive, stable and selective sensor platform. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assembly of Nanowire Arrays: Exploring Interparticle Interactions, Particle Orientation, and Mixed Particle Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirby, David J.

This dissertation explores the fundamental interparticle and particle-substrate forces that contribute to nanowire assembly. Nanowires have a large aspect ratio which has made them favorable materials for applications in energy and sensing technologies. However, this anisotropy means that nanowires must be positioned and oriented during an assembly process. Within this work, the roles of gravity, van der Waals (VDW) attractions, and electrostatic repulsions are explored when different nanowire assemblies are created. Particles were synthesized by the template electrodeposition process so that stripes of different materials and therefore different VDW interactions could be patterned along the particle length. Electrostatic repulsions were provided by a small molecule coating or a porous silica shell to prevent aggregation during the assembly process. Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8 all used particles whose asymmetry was further adjusted by removal of a sacrificial segment to leave a partially etched nanowire (PEN), a rigid silica shell partially filled with a metal core. For these particles, the role of gravity was amplified due to the drastic density differences between the two segments. Topographic and high VDW surface interactions were patterned onto assembly substrates using photolithographic processing. These forces served as a passive template to direct nanowire assembly. The segment anisotropy of PENs allowed gravity to drive their sedimentation with the long axis perpendicular to the surface. The density difference between the two ends allowed them to convert between the horizontal and vertical orientation as they diffused on the substrate. Vertical arrays formed as particle concentrations increased while VDW attractions from neighboring PENs or the physical barrier of a microwell wall supported this structure. While vertical arrays were typically PENs, microwell walls were also able to enforce a vertical orientation on solid Au nanowires. These particles typically formed horizontal arrays on planar surfaces, but careful design of the microwell and nanowire dimensions enabled these particles to take on the vertical orientation. Solid nanowires and PENs with greater segment symmetry aligned parallel to the surface as gravity did not allow a conversion to the vertical orientation. When concentrated, these particles formed smectic row arrangements which were previously shown to originate from a balance of VDW attractions and electrostatic repulsions. Within rows of segmented particles, a preference was observed for like orientation of nearest neighbor particles (Chapter 6). With the aid of Monte Carlo simulations, it was determined that this observation was the result of small differences in VDW attractions between the two nanowire ends. Differences in VDW attraction were also applied to patterned surfaces (Chapter 7). Stripes of high VDW material (Au) were placed on a silica surface (a low VDW material). When relatively low surface concentrations were used, the high VDW regions collected Au nanowires and organized them into rows that were reminiscent of those observed on un-patterned surfaces at high particle concentrations. VDW and the gravitational force were explored as they combined to influence array orientation in binary PEN mixtures. Depending on the geometries of the particles combined, the contributions of gravity and interparticle interactions exhibited different balance in creating the final array. VDW and gravitational forces could also act as a force for reconfigurable nanowire assembly. In chapter 8, fluid flow was used to concentrate PENs and force them into horizontal arrangements. When fluid flow was stopped, van der Waals forces and gravity were responsible for a reorientation of the assembled particles into a standing array. These studies represent early steps into the future of nanowire assembly methods. I conclude this dissertation by discussing the implications of my work and providing perspective on their importance to the scientific community. I also offer suggestions for future work in nanowire assembly. These areas focus on the development of assembled nanowire devices, mixed nanowire assembly techniques, and potential stimuli responsive reconfigurable assemblies.

Facile Synthesis of Ultrafine Hematite Nanowire Arrays in Mixed Water-Ethanol-Acetic Acid Solution for Enhanced Charge Transport and Separation.

PubMed

Wang, Jian; Wang, Menglong; Zhang, Tao; Wang, Zhiqiang; Guo, Penghui; Su, Jinzhan; Guo, Liejin

2018-04-18

Nanostructure engineering is of great significance for semiconductor electrode to achieve high photoelectrochemical performance. Herein, we report a novel strategy to fabricate ultrafine hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) nanowire arrays in a mixed water-ethanol-acetic acid (WEA) solvent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on direct growth of ultrafine (∼10 nm) α-Fe 2 O 3 nanowire arrays on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates through solution-based fabrication process. The effect of WEA ratio on the morphology of nanowires has been systematically studied to understand the formation mechanism. Photoelectrochemical measurements were conducted on both Ti-treated α-Fe 2 O 3 nanowire and nanorod photoelectrodes. It reveals that α-Fe 2 O 3 nanowire electrode has higher photocurrent and charge separation efficiencies than nanorod electrode if the carrier concentration and space-charge carrier width are in the same order of magnitude. Normalized by electrochemically active surface area, the Ti-treated α-Fe 2 O 3 nanowire electrode obtains 6.4 times higher specific photocurrent density than nanorod electrode. This superiority of nanowires arises from the higher bulk and surface charge separation efficiencies, which could be partly attributed to reduced distance that holes must transfer to reach the semiconductor-liquid junction.

Epitaxial growth of InGaN nanowire arrays for light emitting diodes.

PubMed

Hahn, Christopher; Zhang, Zhaoyu; Fu, Anthony; Wu, Cheng Hao; Hwang, Yun Jeong; Gargas, Daniel J; Yang, Peidong

2011-05-24

Significant synthetic challenges remain for the epitaxial growth of high-quality InGaN across the entire compositional range. One strategy to address these challenges has been to use the nanowire geometry because of its strain relieving properties. Here, we demonstrate the heteroepitaxial growth of In(x)Ga(1-x)N nanowire arrays (0.06 ≤ x ≤ 0.43) on c-plane sapphire (Al(2)O(3)(001)) using a halide chemical vapor deposition (HCVD) technique. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction characterization confirmed the long-range order and epitaxy of vertically oriented nanowires. Structural characterization by transmission electron microscopy showed that single crystalline nanowires were grown in the ⟨002⟩ direction. Optical properties of InGaN nanowire arrays were investigated by absorption and photoluminescence measurements. These measurements show the tunable direct band gap properties of InGaN nanowires into the yellow-orange region of the visible spectrum. To demonstrate the utility of our HCVD method for implementation into devices, LEDs were fabricated from In(x)Ga(1-x)N nanowires epitaxially grown on p-GaN(001). Devices showed blue (x = 0.06), green (x = 0.28), and orange (x = 0.43) electroluminescence, demonstrating electrically driven color tunable emission from this p-n junction.

Ultrahigh-density nanowire arrays grown in self-assembled diblock copolymer templates.

PubMed

Thurn-Albrecht, T; Schotter, J; Kästle, G A; Emley, N; Shibauchi, T; Krusin-Elbaum, L; Guarini, K; Black, C T; Tuominen, M T; Russell, T P

2000-12-15

We show a simple, robust, chemical route to the fabrication of ultrahigh-density arrays of nanopores with high aspect ratios using the equilibrium self-assembled morphology of asymmetric diblock copolymers. The dimensions and lateral density of the array are determined by segmental interactions and the copolymer molecular weight. Through direct current electrodeposition, we fabricated vertical arrays of nanowires with densities in excess of 1.9 x 10(11) wires per square centimeter. We found markedly enhanced coercivities with ferromagnetic cobalt nanowires that point toward a route to ultrahigh-density storage media. The copolymer approach described is practical, parallel, compatible with current lithographic processes, and amenable to multilayered device fabrication.

Temperature-dependent structure and phase variation of nickel silicide nanowire arrays prepared by in situ silicidation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Hailong; She, Guangwei, E-mail: shegw@mail.ipc.ac.cn; Mu, Lixuan

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlight: ► Nickel silicides nanowire arrays prepared by a simple in situ silicidation method. ► Phases of nickel silicides could be varied by tuning the reaction temperature. ► A growth model was proposed for the nickel silicides nanowires. ► Diffusion rates of Ni and Si play a critical role for the phase variation. -- Abstract: In this paper, we report an in situ silicidizing method to prepare nickel silicide nanowire arrays with varied structures and phases. The in situ reaction (silicidation) between Si and NiCl{sub 2} led to conversion of Si nanowires to nickel silicide nanowires.more » Structures and phases of the obtained nickel silicides could be varied by changing the reaction temperature. At a relatively lower temperature of 700 °C, the products are Si/NiSi core/shell nanowires or NiSi nanowires, depending on the concentration of NiCl{sub 2} solution. At a higher temperature (800 °C and 900 °C), other phases of the nickel silicides, including Ni{sub 2}Si, Ni{sub 31}Si{sub 12}, and NiSi{sub 2}, were obtained. It is proposed that the different diffusion rates of Ni and Si atoms at different temperatures played a critical role in the formation of nickel silicide nanowires with different phases.« less

Crystallographic alignment of high-density gallium nitride nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Kuykendall, Tevye; Pauzauskie, Peter J; Zhang, Yanfeng; Goldberger, Joshua; Sirbuly, Donald; Denlinger, Jonathan; Yang, Peidong

2004-08-01

Single-crystalline, one-dimensional semiconductor nanostructures are considered to be one of the critical building blocks for nanoscale optoelectronics. Elucidation of the vapour-liquid-solid growth mechanism has already enabled precise control over nanowire position and size, yet to date, no reports have demonstrated the ability to choose from different crystallographic growth directions of a nanowire array. Control over the nanowire growth direction is extremely desirable, in that anisotropic parameters such as thermal and electrical conductivity, index of refraction, piezoelectric polarization, and bandgap may be used to tune the physical properties of nanowires made from a given material. Here we demonstrate the use of metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) and appropriate substrate selection to control the crystallographic growth directions of high-density arrays of gallium nitride nanowires with distinct geometric and physical properties. Epitaxial growth of wurtzite gallium nitride on (100) gamma-LiAlO(2) and (111) MgO single-crystal substrates resulted in the selective growth of nanowires in the orthogonal [1\\[Evec]0] and [001] directions, exhibiting triangular and hexagonal cross-sections and drastically different optical emission. The MOCVD process is entirely compatible with the current GaN thin-film technology, which would lead to easy scale-up and device integration.

From GaN to ZnGa(2)O(4) through a low-temperature process: nanotube and heterostructure arrays.

PubMed

Lu, Ming-Yen; Zhou, Xiang; Chiu, Cheng-Yao; Crawford, Samuel; Gradečak, Silvija

2014-01-22

We demonstrate a method to synthesize GaN-ZnGa2O4 core-shell nanowire and ZnGa2O4 nanotube arrays by a low-temperature hydrothermal process using GaN nanowires as templates. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that a ZnGa2O4 shell forms on the surface of GaN nanowires and that the shell thickness is controlled by the time of the hydrothermal process and thus the concentration of Zn ions in the solution. Furthermore, ZnGa2O4 nanotube arrays were obtained by depleting the GaN core from GaN-ZnGa2O4 core-shell nanowire arrays during the reaction and subsequent etching with HCl. The GaN-ZnGa2O4 core-shell nanowires exhibit photoluminescence peaks centered at 2.60 and 2.90 eV attributed to the ZnGa2O4 shell, as well as peaks centered at 3.35 and 3.50 eV corresponding to the GaN core. We also demonstrate the synthesis of GaN-ZnGa2O4 heterojunction nanowires by a selective formation process as a simple route toward development of heterojunction nanodevices for optoelectronic applications.

Feasibility Study of Extended-Gate-Type Silicon Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors for Neural Recording

PubMed Central

Kang, Hongki; Kim, Jee-Yeon; Choi, Yang-Kyu; Nam, Yoonkey

2017-01-01

In this research, a high performance silicon nanowire field-effect transistor (transconductance as high as 34 µS and sensitivity as 84 nS/mV) is extensively studied and directly compared with planar passive microelectrode arrays for neural recording application. Electrical and electrochemical characteristics are carefully characterized in a very well-controlled manner. We especially focused on the signal amplification capability and intrinsic noise of the transistors. A neural recording system using both silicon nanowire field-effect transistor-based active-type microelectrode array and platinum black microelectrode-based passive-type microelectrode array are implemented and compared. An artificial neural spike signal is supplied as input to both arrays through a buffer solution and recorded simultaneously. Recorded signal intensity by the silicon nanowire transistor was precisely determined by an electrical characteristic of the transistor, transconductance. Signal-to-noise ratio was found to be strongly dependent upon the intrinsic 1/f noise of the silicon nanowire transistor. We found how signal strength is determined and how intrinsic noise of the transistor determines signal-to-noise ratio of the recorded neural signals. This study provides in-depth understanding of the overall neural recording mechanism using silicon nanowire transistors and solid design guideline for further improvement and development. PMID:28350370

Feasibility Study of Extended-Gate-Type Silicon Nanowire Field-Effect Transistors for Neural Recording.

PubMed

Kang, Hongki; Kim, Jee-Yeon; Choi, Yang-Kyu; Nam, Yoonkey

2017-03-28

In this research, a high performance silicon nanowire field-effect transistor (transconductance as high as 34 µS and sensitivity as 84 nS/mV) is extensively studied and directly compared with planar passive microelectrode arrays for neural recording application. Electrical and electrochemical characteristics are carefully characterized in a very well-controlled manner. We especially focused on the signal amplification capability and intrinsic noise of the transistors. A neural recording system using both silicon nanowire field-effect transistor-based active-type microelectrode array and platinum black microelectrode-based passive-type microelectrode array are implemented and compared. An artificial neural spike signal is supplied as input to both arrays through a buffer solution and recorded simultaneously. Recorded signal intensity by the silicon nanowire transistor was precisely determined by an electrical characteristic of the transistor, transconductance. Signal-to-noise ratio was found to be strongly dependent upon the intrinsic 1/f noise of the silicon nanowire transistor. We found how signal strength is determined and how intrinsic noise of the transistor determines signal-to-noise ratio of the recorded neural signals. This study provides in-depth understanding of the overall neural recording mechanism using silicon nanowire transistors and solid design guideline for further improvement and development.

Frequency-multiplexed bias and readout of a 16-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doerner, S.; Kuzmin, A.; Wuensch, S.; Charaev, I.; Boes, F.; Zwick, T.; Siegel, M.

2017-07-01

We demonstrate a 16-pixel array of microwave-current driven superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors with an integrated and scalable frequency-division multiplexing architecture, which reduces the required number of bias and readout lines to a single microwave feed line. The electrical behavior of the photon-sensitive nanowires, embedded in a resonant circuit, as well as the optical performance and timing jitter of the single detectors is discussed. Besides the single pixel measurements, we also demonstrate the operation of a 16-pixel array with a temporal, spatial, and photon-number resolution.

Volumetric Heating of Ultra-High Energy Density Relativistic Plasmas by Ultrafast Laser Irradiation of Aligned Nanowire Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bargsten, Clayton; Hollinger, Reed; Shlyaptsev, Vyacheslav; Pukhov, Alexander; Keiss, David; Townsend, Amanda; Wang, Yong; Wang, Shoujun; Prieto, Amy; Rocca, Jorge

2014-10-01

We have demonstrated the volumetric heating of near-solid density plasmas to keV temperatures by ultra-high contrast femtosecond laser irradiation of arrays of vertically aligned nanowires with an average density up to 30% solid density. X-ray spectra show that irradiation of Ni and Au nanowire arrays with laser pulses of relativistic intensities ionizes plasma volumes several micrometers in depth to the He-like and Co-like (Au 52 +) stages respectively. The penetration depth of the heat into the nanowire array was measured monitoring He-like Co lines from irradiated arrays in which the nanowires are composed of a Co segment buried under a selected length of Ni. The measurement shows the ionization reaches He-like Co for depth of up to 5 μm within the target. This volumetric plasma heating approach creates a new laboratory plasma regime in which extreme plasma parameters can be accessed with table-top lasers. Scaling to higher laser intensities promises to create plasmas with temperatures and pressures approaching those in the center of the sun. Work supported by the U.S Department of Energy, Fusion Energy Sciences and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency grant HDTRA-1-10-1-0079. A.P was supported by of DFG-funded project TR18.

Photovoltaic devices based on quantum dot functionalized nanowire arrays embedded in an organic matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kung, Patrick; Harris, Nicholas; Shen, Gang; Wilbert, David S.; Baughman, William; Balci, Soner; Dawahre, Nabil; Butler, Lee; Rivera, Elmer; Nikles, David; Kim, Seongsin M.

2012-01-01

Quantum dot (QD) functionalized nanowire arrays are attractive structures for low cost high efficiency solar cells. QDs have the potential for higher quantum efficiency, increased stability and lifetime compared to traditional dyes, as well as the potential for multiple electron generation per photon. Nanowire array scaffolds constitute efficient, low resistance electron transport pathways which minimize the hopping mechanism in the charge transport process of quantum dot solar cells. However, the use of liquid electrolytes as a hole transport medium within such scaffold device structures have led to significant degradation of the QDs. In this work, we first present the synthesis uniform single crystalline ZnO nanowire arrays and their functionalization with InP/ZnS core-shell quantum dots. The structures are characterized using electron microscopy, optical absorption, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy. Complementing photoluminescence, transmission electron microanalysis is used to reveal the successful QD attachment process and the atomistic interface between the ZnO and the QD. Energy dispersive spectroscopy reveals the co-localized presence of indium, phosphorus, and sulphur, suggestive of the core-shell nature of the QDs. The functionalized nanowire arrays are subsequently embedded in a poly-3(hexylthiophene) hole transport matrix with a high degree of polymer infiltration to complete the device structure prior to measurement.

High yield of self-catalyzed GaAs nanowire arrays grown on silicon via gallium droplet positioning.

PubMed

Plissard, S; Larrieu, G; Wallart, X; Caroff, P

2011-07-08

We report and detail a method to achieve growth of vertical self-catalyzed GaAs nanowires directly on Si(111) with a near-perfect vertical yield, using electron-beam-defined arrays of holes in a dielectric layer and molecular beam epitaxy. In our conditions, GaAs nanowires are grown along a vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, using in situ self-forming Ga droplets. The focus of this paper is to understand the role of the substrate preparation and of the pre-growth conditioning. Without changing temperature or the V/III ratio, the yield of vertical nanowires is increased incrementally up to 95%. The possibility to achieve very dense arrays, with center-to-center inter-wire distances less than 100 nm, is demonstrated.

Time-dependent optical response of three-dimensional Au nanoparticle arrays formed on silica nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Mario, Lorenzo; Otomalo, Tadele Orbula; Catone, Daniele; O'Keeffe, Patrick; Tian, Lin; Turchini, Stefano; Palpant, Bruno; Martelli, Faustino

2018-03-01

We present stationary and transient absorption measurements on 3D Au nanoparticle (NP)-decorated Si O2 nanowire arrays. The 3D NP array has been produced by the dewetting of a thin Au film deposited on silica nanowires produced by oxidation of silicon nanowires. The experimental behaviors of the spectral and temporal dynamics observed in the experiment are accurately described by a two-step, three-temperature model. Using an arbitrary set of Au NPs with different aspect ratios, we demonstrate that the width of the experimental spectra, the energy shift of their position with time, and the asymmetry between the two positive wings in the dynamical variation of absorption can all be attributed to the nonuniform shape distribution of the Au NPs in the sample.

Plasmonic Properties of Vertically Aligned Nanowire Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

scattering (SERS) applications. In this investigation, two types of vertical NW arrays were studied; those of ZnO NWs grown on nanosphere lithography...plasmonic nanowires to investigate this SERS effect. Here we used two types of vertical NWs, ZnO NWs, and Si NWs, respectively, to investigate SERS...successfully grow vertically aligned ZnO nanowires by the well-known VLS process. In this way, the ZnO NWs can be arranged in a repeatable hexagonal pattern

CONDUCTING-POLYMER NANOWIRE IMMUNOSENSOR ARRAYS FOR MICROBIAL PATHOGENS

EPA Science Inventory

The lack of methods for routine rapid and sensitive detection and quantification of specific pathogens has limited the amount of information available on their occurrence in drinking water and other environmental samples. The nanowire biosensor arrays developed in this study w...

InGaN/GaN dot-in-nanowire monolithic LEDs and lasers on (001) silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharya, P.; Hazari, A.; Jahangir, S.

2017-02-01

GaN-based nanowire arrays have been grown on (001)Si substrate by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy and their structural and optical properties have been determined. InxGa1-xN disks inserted in the nanowires behave as quantum dots with emission ranging from visible to near-infrared. We have exploited these nanowire heterostructure arrays to realize light-emitting diodes and diode lasers in which the quantum dots form the active light emitting media. The fabrication and characteristics of 630nm light-emitting diodes and 1.3μm edge-emitting diode lasers are described.

Electrical and Optical Characterization of Nanowire based Semiconductor Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayvazian, Talin

This research project is focused on a new strategy for the creation of nanowire based semiconductor devices. The main goal is to understand and optimize the electrical and optical properties of two types of nanoscale devices; in first type lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition (LPNE) method has been utilized to fabricate nanowire field effect transistors (NWFET) and second type involved the development of light emitting semiconductor nanowire arrays (NWLED). Field effect transistors (NWFETs) have been prepared from arrays of polycrystalline cadmium selenide (pc-CdSe) nanowires using a back gate configuration. pc-CdSe nanowires were fabricated using the lithographically patterned nanowire electrode- position (LPNE) process on SiO2 /Si substrates. After electrodeposition, pc-CdSe nanowires were thermally annealed at 300 °C x 4 h either with or without exposure to CdCl 2 in methanol a grain growth promoter. The influence of CdCl2 treatment was to increase the mean grain diameter as determined by X-ray diffraction pattern and to convert the crystal structure from cubic to wurtzite. Transfer characteristics showed an increase of the field effect mobility (mu eff) by an order of magnitude and increase of the Ion/I off ratio by a factor of 3-4. Light emitting devices (NW-LED) based on lithographically patterned pc-CdSe nanowire arrays have been investigated. Electroluminescence (EL) spectra of CdSe nanowires under various biases exhibited broad emission spectra centered at 750 nm close to the band gap of CdSe (1.7eV). To enhance the intensity of the emitted light and the external quantum efficiency (EQE), the distance between the contacts were reduced from 5 mum to less than 1 mum which increased the efficiency by an order of magnitude. Also, increasing the annealing temperature of nanowires from 300 °C x4 h to 450 This research project is focused on a new strategy for the creation of nanowire based semiconductor devices. The main goal is to understand and optimize the electrical and optical properties of two types of nanoscale devices; in first type lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition (LPNE) method has been utilized to fabricate nanowire field effect transistors (NWFET) and second type involved the development of light emitting semiconductor nanowire arrays (NWLED). Field effect transistors (NWFETs) have been prepared from arrays of polycrystalline cadmium selenide (pc-CdSe) nanowires using a back gate configuration. pc-CdSe nanowires were fabricated using the lithographically patterned nanowire electrode- position (LPNE) process on SiO2 /Si substrates. After electrodeposition, pc-CdSe nanowires were thermally annealed at 300 °C x 4 h either with or without exposure to CdCl2 in methanol- a grain growth promoter. The influence of CdCl2 treatment was to increase the mean grain diameter as determined by X-ray diffraction pattern and to convert the crystal structure from cubic to wurtzite. Transfer characteristics showed an increase of the field effect mobility (mueff<) by an order of magnitude and increase of the Ion/Ioff ratio by a factor of 3-4. Light emitting devices (NW-LED) based on lithographically patterned pc-CdSe nanowire arrays have been investigated. Electroluminescence (EL) spectra of CdSe nanowires under various biases exhibited broad emission spectra centered at 750 nm close to the band gap of CdSe (1.7eV). To enhance the intensity of the emitted light and the external quantum efficiency (EQE), the distance between the contacts were reduced from 5 mum to less than 1 mum which increased the efficiency by an order of magnitude. Also, increasing the annealing temperature of nanowires from 300 °C x4 h to 450 °C x 1h enhanced grain growth confirmed by structural characterization including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman Spectroscopy. Correspondingly the light emission intensity and EQE improved due to this grain growth. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) was utilized to understand mechanism of light emission in CdSe nanowires. Arrays of CdTe nanowires were electrodeposited using LPNE process where the elec- trodeposition of pc-CdTe was carried out at two temperatures: 20 °C (cold) and 55 °C (hot). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) re- sults revealed higher crystallinity, larger grain size and presence of Te for nanowires prepared at 55°C compared to nanowires deposited at 20°C. Nanowires prepared at 55°C showed higher electrical conductivity and enhanced electroluminescence proper- ties, including higher light emission intensity and improved External Quantum Efficiency (EQE). Electrical conduction mechanism also investigated for CdTe nanowires. Thermionic emission over schottky barrier height was identified as the dominant charge transport mechanism in pc-CdTe nanowires.°C x 1h enhanced grain growth confirmed by structural characterization including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman Spectroscopy. Correspondingly the light emission intensity and EQE improved due to this grain growth. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) was utilized to understand mechanism of light emission in CdSe nanowires. Arrays of CdTe nanowires were electrodeposited using LPNE process where the electrodeposition of pc-CdTe was carried out at two temperatures: 20 °C (cold) and 55 °C (hot). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) re- sults revealed higher crystallinity, larger grain size and presence of Te for nanowires prepared at 55°C compared to nanowires deposited at 20°C. Nanowires prepared at 55°C showed higher electrical conductivity and enhanced electroluminescence properties, including higher light emission intensity and improved External Quantum Efficiency (EQE). Electrical conduction mechanism also investigated for CdTe nanowires. Thermionic emission over schottky barrier height was identified as the dominant charge transport mechanism in pc-CdTe nanowires.

III-Nitride Nanowire Lasers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wright, Jeremy Benjamin

2014-07-01

In recent years there has been a tremendous interest in nanoscale optoelectronic devices. Among these devices are semiconductor nanowires whose diameters range from 10-100 nm. To date, nanowires have been grown using many semiconducting material systems and have been utilized as light emitting diodes, photodetectors, and solar cells. Nanowires possess a relatively large index contrast relative to their dielectric environment and can be used as lasers. A key gure of merit that allows for nanowire lasing is the relatively high optical con nement factor. In this work, I discuss the optical characterization of 3 types of III-nitride nanowire laser devices.more » Two devices were designed to reduce the number of lasing modes to achieve singlemode operation. The third device implements low-group velocity mode lasing with a photonic crystal constructed of an array of nanowires. Single-mode operation is necessary in any application where high beam quality and single frequency operation is required. III-Nitride nanowire lasers typically operate in a combined multi-longitudinal and multi-transverse mode state. Two schemes are introduced here for controlling the optical modes and achieving single-mode op eration. The rst method involves reducing the diameter of individual nanowires to the cut-o condition, where only one optical mode propagates in the wire. The second method employs distributed feedback (DFB) to achieve single-mode lasing by placing individual GaN nanowires onto substrates with etched gratings. The nanowire-grating substrate acted as a distributed feedback mirror producing single mode operation at 370 nm with a mode suppression ratio (MSR) of 17 dB. The usage of lasers for solid state lighting has the potential to further reduce U.S. lighting energy usage through an increase in emitter e ciency. Advances in nanowire fabrication, speci cally a two-step top-down approach, have allowed for the demonstration of a multi-color array of lasers on a single chip that emit vertically. By tuning the geometrical properties of the individual lasers across the array, each individual nanowire laser produced a di erent emission wavelength yielding a near continuum of laser wavelengths. I successfully fabricated an array of emitters spanning a bandwidth of 60 nm on a single chip. This was achieved in the blue-violet using III-nitride photonic crystal nanowire lasers.« less

Surface plasmon aided high sensitive non-enzymatic glucose sensor using Au/NiAu multilayered nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Wang, Lanfang; Zhu, Weiqi; Lu, Wenbo; Qin, Xiufang; Xu, Xiaohong

2018-07-15

A novel plasmon aided non-enzymatic glucose sensor was first constructed based on the unique half-rough Au/NiAu multilayered nanowire arrays. These multilayered and half-rough nanowires provide high chemical activity and large surface area for glucose oxidation in an alkaline solution. Under visible light irradiation, the surface plasmons originated from Au part enhance the electron transfer in the vertically aligned nanowires, leading to high sensitivity and wide detection range. The resulting sensor exhibits a wide glucose detection concentration range, low detection limit, and high sensitivity for plasmon aided non-enzymatic glucose sensor. Moreover, the detection sensitivity is enhanced by almost 2 folds compared to that in the dark, which significantly enhanced the performance of Au/NiAu multilayered nanowire arrays sensor. An excellent selectivity and acceptable stability were also achieved. These results indicate that surface plasmon aided nanostructures are promising new platforms for the construction of non-enzymatic glucose sensors. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Formation of Ordered and Disordered Dielectric/metal Nanowire Arrays and their Plasmonic Behavior

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

sheath geometry. 2. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Several different nanowire systems have been grown, including random Ga2O3 nanowires, InAs...nanowires, ZnO nanowires, as well as Au lines produced by e-beam lithography. The growth of the Ga2O3 nanowires was achieved by the controlled oxidation...CLOSELY-SPACED PARALLEL ZnO NANOWIRES AND CROSSED Ga2O3 NANOWIRES. As discussed above, due to the far separation of the gold colloid catalyst in the

Titanium dioxide nanowire sensor array integration on CMOS platform using deterministic assembly.

PubMed

Gall, Oren Z; Zhong, Xiahua; Schulman, Daniel S; Kang, Myungkoo; Razavieh, Ali; Mayer, Theresa S

2017-06-30

Nanosensor arrays have recently received significant attention due to their utility in a wide range of applications, including gas sensing, fuel cells, internet of things, and portable health monitoring systems. Less attention has been given to the production of sensor platforms in the μW range for ultra-low power applications. Here, we discuss how to scale the nanosensor energy demand by developing a process for integration of nanowire sensing arrays on a monolithic CMOS chip. This work demonstrates an off-chip nanowire fabrication method; subsequently nanowires link to a fused SiO 2 substrate using electric-field assisted directed assembly. The nanowire resistances shown in this work have the highest resistance uniformity reported to date of 18%, which enables a practical roadmap towards the coupling of nanosensors to CMOS circuits and signal processing systems. The article also presents the utility of optimizing annealing conditions of the off-chip metal-oxides prior to CMOS integration to avoid limitations of thermal budget and process incompatibility. In the context of the platform demonstrated here, directed assembly is a powerful tool that can realize highly uniform, cross-reactive arrays of different types of metal-oxide nanosensors suited for gas discrimination and signal processing systems.

High-Performance Carbon Dioxide Electrocatalytic Reduction by Easily Fabricated Large-Scale Silver Nanowire Arrays.

PubMed

Luan, Chuhao; Shao, Yang; Lu, Qi; Gao, Shenghan; Huang, Kai; Wu, Hui; Yao, Kefu

2018-05-30

An efficient and selective catalyst is in urgent need for carbon dioxide electroreduction and silver is one of the promising candidates with affordable costs. Here we fabricated large-scale vertically standing Ag nanowire arrays with high crystallinity and electrical conductivity as carbon dioxide electroreduction catalysts by a simple nanomolding method that was usually considered not feasible for metallic crystalline materials. A great enhancement of current densities and selectivity for CO at moderate potentials was achieved. The current density for CO ( j co ) of Ag nanowire array with 200 nm in diameter was more than 2500 times larger than that of Ag foil at an overpotential of 0.49 V with an efficiency over 90%. The origin of enhanced performances are attributed to greatly increased electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) and higher intrinsic activity compared to those of polycrystalline Ag foil. More low-coordinated sites on the nanowires which can stabilize the CO 2 intermediate better are responsible for the high intrinsic activity. In addition, the impact of surface morphology that induces limited mass transportation on reaction selectivity and efficiency of nanowire arrays with different diameters was also discussed.

Titanium dioxide nanowire sensor array integration on CMOS platform using deterministic assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gall, Oren Z.; Zhong, Xiahua; Schulman, Daniel S.; Kang, Myungkoo; Razavieh, Ali; Mayer, Theresa S.

2017-06-01

Nanosensor arrays have recently received significant attention due to their utility in a wide range of applications, including gas sensing, fuel cells, internet of things, and portable health monitoring systems. Less attention has been given to the production of sensor platforms in the μW range for ultra-low power applications. Here, we discuss how to scale the nanosensor energy demand by developing a process for integration of nanowire sensing arrays on a monolithic CMOS chip. This work demonstrates an off-chip nanowire fabrication method; subsequently nanowires link to a fused SiO2 substrate using electric-field assisted directed assembly. The nanowire resistances shown in this work have the highest resistance uniformity reported to date of 18%, which enables a practical roadmap towards the coupling of nanosensors to CMOS circuits and signal processing systems. The article also presents the utility of optimizing annealing conditions of the off-chip metal-oxides prior to CMOS integration to avoid limitations of thermal budget and process incompatibility. In the context of the platform demonstrated here, directed assembly is a powerful tool that can realize highly uniform, cross-reactive arrays of different types of metal-oxide nanosensors suited for gas discrimination and signal processing systems.

Current induced domain wall motion in antiferromagnetically coupled (Co70Fe30/Pd) multilayer nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meng, Zhaoliang; He, Shikun; Huang, Lisen; Qiu, Jinjun; Zhou, Tiejun; Panagopoulos, Christos; Han, Guchang; Teo, Kie-Leong

2016-10-01

We investigate the current induced domain wall (DW) motion in the ultrathin CoFe/Pd multilayer based synthetically antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure nanowires by anomalous Hall effect measurement. The threshold current density (Jth) for the DW displacement decreases and the DW velocity (v) increases accordingly with the exchange coupling Jex between the top and bottom ferromagnetic CoFe/Pd multilayers. The lowest Jth = 9.3 × 1010 A/m2 and a maximum v = 150 m/s with J = 1.5 × 1012 A/m2 are achieved due to the exchange coupling torque (ECT) generated in the SAF structure. The strength of ECT is dependent on both of Jex and the strong spin-orbit torque mainly generated by Ta layer.

The Self- and Directed Assembly of Nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Benjamin David

This thesis explores the self- and directed assembly of nanowires. Specifically, we examine the driving forces behind nanowire self-assembly and the macro-structures that are formed. Particle-dense, oriented nanowire structures show promise in the fields of photonics, energy, sensing, catalysis, and electronics. Arrays of spherical particles have already found uses in electronic inks, sensing arrays, and many other commercial applications; but, it is a challenge to create specific arrays of morphologically and/or compositionally anisotropic particles. The following chapters illuminate the interactions that drive the assembly of anisotropic particles in high density solutions in the absence of applied fields or solution drying. Special emphasis is placed on the structures that are formed. The properties of micro- and nanoparticles and their assembly are introduced in Chapter 1. In particular, the properties of shape and material anisotropic particles are highlighted, while challenges in producing desired arrays are discussed. In this thesis, metallic nanowires of increasing complexity were used to examine the self-assembly behavior of both shape and material anisotropic particles. Nanowires were synthesized through templated electrodeposition. In this process, porous alumina membranes served as a template in which metal salts were reduced to form particles. Upon template dissolution, billions of nominally identical particles were released. We specifically focused on segmented, metallic nanowires 2-13 mum in length and 180 to 350 nm in diameter. Since these particles have strong van der Waals (VDWs) attractions, an electrostatically repulsive coating was necessary to prevent aggregation; we used small molecule, DNA, or amorphous silica coatings. Nanowires and their coatings were characterized by electron microscopy. In order to study self-assembly behavior, particle-dense aqueous suspensions were placed within an assembly chamber defined by a silicone spacer. The nanowires rapidly sedimented due to gravity onto a glass cover slip to concentrate and form a dense film. Particles and assemblies were imaged using inverted optical microscopy. We quantitatively analyzed the images and movies captured in order to track and classify particles and classify the overall arrays formed. We then correlated how particle characteristics, e.g., materials, size, segmentation, etc. changed the ordering and alignment observed. With that knowledge, we hope to be able to form new and interesting structures. We began our studies by examining the assembly of single component nanowires. Chapter 2 describes this work, in which solid Au nanowires measuring 2-7 mum in length and 290 nm in diameter self-assembled into smectic rows. By both experiment and theory, we determined that these rows formed due to a balance of electrostatic repulsions and van der Waals attractions. Final assemblies were stable for at least several days. Monte Carlo methods were used to simulate assemblies and showed structures that mirrored those experimentally observed. Simulations indicated that the smectic phase was preferred over others, i.e., nematic, when an additional small charge was added to the ends of the nanowires. Our particles have rough tips, which might create these additional electrostatic repulsions. To increase the particle and array complexity, two-component, metallic nanowire assembly was explored in Chapter 3. We examined numerous types of nanowires by changing the segment length, ratio, and material, the nanowire length, the surface coating, and the presence of small third segments. These segmented nanowires were generally Au-Ag and also ordered into smectic rows. Segmented wires arranged in rows, however, can be aligned in two possible ways with respect to a neighboring particle. The Au segments on neighboring particles can be oriented in the same direction or opposed to each other. Orientation was quantified in terms of an order parameter that took into account alignment with respect to nearest neighbor particles. All experiments showed order parameters indicating a slight preference for orientational ordering that was relatively insensitive to segment size, nanowire size, and nanowire coating. Monte Carlo simulations pointed towards this alignment as a consequence of small differences in the van der Waals attractions between the segments. Experimentally, ordering might to be limited by the large size of the nanowires, which results in kinetically trapped structures. In an attempt to obtain better ordering within rows, silica coated nanowires with partial Au cores were made. The synthesis involved silica-coating the nanowires and selectively etching a Ag segment. These particles have extremely different VDWs attractions between their segments, as the Au cores are much more attractive than the solvent-filled etched ends. The assembly of these partially etched nanowires (PENs) is detailed in Chapters 4, 5, and 6. When allowed to self-assemble, we observed the formation of either vertically or horizontally oriented arrays depending on PEN composition. The formation of vertically oriented arrays of anisotropic particles is important, since not many methods to produce these structures are currently available for particles of this size. We examined the effects of PEN length, PEN diameter, and the size, number, and location of the core segments. Our findings showed a large etched segment at one end (which resulted in a large offset in the center of mass and concentrated the VDWs attractions to one end of the particle) resulted in the best columnar assemblies. These vertically orientated arrays formed in a two part process. First, after PENs sedimented, they fell flat and oriented parallel to the surface. These PENs then sampled many orientations, including rotating out of the surface plane. When higher surface concentrations of particles built as more PENs fell to the surface of the cover slip, neighboring particles stabilized vertical orientations. Second, particles fell oriented vertically and when the surface concentrations were high, they retained this orientation upon reaching the substrate. Since vertically aligned PENs supported each other, assembly into vertical arrays was highly dependent on the surface concentration. But, oriented arrays could be easily formed on larger or smaller substrates, provided a particle concentration scaled to the substrate were used. The mixing of these particles to form heterogeneous arrays was examined. The overall array structure favored that of particles which sedimented more quickly and/or were present in higher amounts. The semi-automated counting of PENs in images by software is used heavily in Chapters 4 and 5. Appendix A describes the use, development, and validation of macros within Image-Pro. The structure, syntax, and use are specifically examined for three nanowire counting macros. The counting results; including: number of particles in an image, number of horizontally vs. vertically oriented PENs, and PENs in microwells; are compared with manual hand counts. Chapter 7 examines the overall conclusions and future directions for this research. By combining our assembly techniques with known directing forces (e.g., electric or magnetic fields) more specific alignment and/or positioning could be achieved. We have also begun to explore directing assembly through lithographic microwells. Further work needs to explore the integration of arrays into devices and the use of functional materials. Then, high density, oriented arrays could be created for photonic, energy, sensing, catalytic, and electronic applications.

Seesaw-like polarized transmission behavior of silver nanowire arrays aligned by off-center spin-coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Lu; Chen, Hui; Yang, Zhong-Jian; Yuan, Yongbo; Huang, Han; Yang, Bingchu; Gao, Yongli; Zhou, Conghua

2018-05-01

Straight silver nanowires were synthesized by accelerated oxidization and then aligned into ordered arrays by off-center spin-coating. Seesaw-like behavior was observed in the polarized transmission spectra of the arrays. With the increment of polarization angle (θP, defined as the angle between axis of nanowires and direction of electric field of light), transmission changed repeatedly with a period of 180°, but it moved to opposite directions between the two regions separated by supporting points locating at 494 nm. The behavior is ascribed to the competition between the extinction behaviors of the two modes of surface plasma polaritons on silver nanowires. One is the longitudinal mode which is excited by long wavelengths and tuned by function of cos2( θ p ) and the other is the transverse mode that is excited by short wavelengths and tuned by function of sin2( θ p ). Simulation was performed based on the finite-difference time domain method. The effect of the nanowire diameter and length (aspect ratio) on the position of the supporting point was studied. As nanowire width increased from 20 nm to 350 nm, the supporting point moved from 400 to 500 nm. While it changed slightly when the nanowire length increased from 3 μm to infinitely long (width fixed at 260 nm). In current study, the position of the supporting point is mainly determined by the nanowire width.

Tunable absorption resonances in the ultraviolet for InP nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Aghaeipour, Mahtab; Anttu, Nicklas; Nylund, Gustav; Samuelson, Lars; Lehmann, Sebastian; Pistol, Mats-Erik

2014-11-17

The ability to tune the photon absorptance spectrum is an attracting way of tailoring the response of devices like photodetectors and solar cells. Here, we measure the reflectance spectra of InP substrates patterned with arrays of vertically standing InP nanowires. Using the reflectance spectra, we calculate and analyze the corresponding absorptance spectra of the nanowires. We show that we can tune absorption resonances for the nanowire arrays into the ultraviolet by decreasing the diameter of the nanowires. When we compare our measurements with electromagnetic modeling, we generally find good agreement. Interestingly, the remaining differences between modeled and measured spectra are attributed to a crystal-phase dependence in the refractive index of InP. Specifically, we find indication of significant differences in the refractive index between the modeled zinc-blende InP nanowires and the measured wurtzite InP nanowires in the ultraviolet. We believe that such crystal-phase dependent differences in the refractive index affect the possibility to excite optical resonances in the large wavelength range of 345 < λ < 390 nm. To support this claim, we investigated how resonances in nanostructures can be shifted in wavelength by geometrical tuning. We find that dispersion in the refractive index can dominate over geometrical tuning and stop the possibility for such shifting. Our results open the door for using crystal-phase engineering to optimize the absorption in InP nanowire-based solar cells and photodetectors.

Fabrication and characterization of hexagonally patterned quasi-1D ZnO nanowire arrays

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) ZnO nanowire arrays with hexagonal pattern have been successfully synthesized via the vapor transport process without any metal catalyst. By utilizing polystyrene microsphere self-assembled monolayer, sol–gel-derived ZnO thin films were used as the periodic nucleation sites for the growth of ZnO nanowires. High-quality quasi-1D ZnO nanowires were grown from nucleation sites, and the original hexagonal periodicity is well-preserved. According to the experimental results, the vapor transport solid condensation mechanism was proposed, in which the sol–gel-derived ZnO film acting as a seed layer for nucleation. This simple method provides a favorable way to form quasi-1D ZnO nanostructures applicable to diverse fields such as two-dimensional photonic crystal, nanolaser, sensor arrays, and other optoelectronic devices. PMID:24521308

Facile synthesis of PdAgTe nanowires with superior electrocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Wei; Wang, Jin; Wang, Erkang

2014-12-01

In this work, ultrathin Te nanowires (NWs) with high-aspect-ratio are prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. By using Te NWs as the sacrificial template, we demonstrate a facile and efficient method for the synthesis of PdAgTe NWs with high-quality through the partly galvanic replacement between Te NWs and the corresponding noble metal salts precursors in an aqueous solution. The compositions of PdAgTe NWs can be tuned by simply altering the concentration of the precursors. After cyclic voltammetry treatment, multi-component PdAgTe NW with a highly active and stable surface can be obtained. The structure and composition of the as-prepared nanomaterials are analyzed by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical catalytic measurement results prove that the as synthesized PdAgTe NWs present superior catalytic activity toward ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution than the commercial Pd/C catalyst, which making them can be used as effective catalysts for the direct ethanol fuel cells.

Transparently wrap-gated semiconductor nanowire arrays for studies of gate-controlled photoluminescence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nylund, Gustav; Storm, Kristian; Torstensson, Henrik

2013-12-04

We present a technique to measure gate-controlled photoluminescence (PL) on arrays of semiconductor nanowire (NW) capacitors using a transparent film of Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) wrapping around the nanowires as the gate electrode. By tuning the wrap-gate voltage, it is possible to increase the PL peak intensity of an array of undoped InP NWs by more than an order of magnitude. The fine structure of the PL spectrum reveals three subpeaks whose relative peak intensities change with gate voltage. We interpret this as gate-controlled state-filling of luminescing quantum dot segments formed by zincblende stacking faults in the mainly wurtzite NW crystal structure.

Enhanced Performance of Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with ITO@α-Fe2O3 Core-Shell Nanowire Array as Photoanode.

PubMed

Yang, Jie; Bao, Chunxiong; Yu, Tao; Hu, Yingfei; Luo, Wenjun; Zhu, Weidong; Fu, Gao; Li, Zhaosheng; Gao, Hao; Li, Faming; Zou, Zhigang

2015-12-09

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is one of the most promising candidates for photoelectrodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting system. However, the low visible light absorption coefficient and short hole diffusion length of pure α-Fe2O3 limits the performance of α-Fe2O3 photoelectrodes in water splitting. Herein, to overcome these drawbacks, single-crystalline tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) nanowire core and α-Fe2O3 nanocrystal shell (ITO@α-Fe2O3) electrodes were fabricated by covering the chemical vapor deposited ITO nanowire array with compact thin α-Fe2O3 nanocrystal film using chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The J-V curves and IPCE of ITO@α-Fe2O3 core-shell nanowire array electrode showed nearly twice as high performance as those of the α-Fe2O3 on planar Pt-coated silicon wafers (Pt/Si) and on planar ITO substrates, which was considered to be attributed to more efficient hole collection and more loading of α-Fe2O3 nanocrystals in the core-shell structure than planar structure. Electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) characterization demonstrated a low interface resistance between α-Fe2O3 and ITO nanowire arrays, which benefits from the well contact between the core and shell. The stability test indicated that the prepared ITO@α-Fe2O3 core-shell nanowire array electrode was stable under AM1.5 illumination during the test period of 40,000 s.

Hybrid Pd/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires: Fabrication, characterization, optical properties and application as magnetically reusable catalyst for the synthesis of N-monosubstituted ureas under ligand-free conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nasrollahzadeh, Mahmoud, E-mail: mahmoudnasr81@gmail.com; Azarian, Abbas; Ehsani, Ali

2014-07-01

Highlights: • Preparation of Pd/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires as magnetically reusable catalysts. • The optical properties of the catalyst were studied using Gans theory. • N-arylation of benzylurea and in situ hydrogenolysis of 1-benzyl-3-arylureas. - Abstract: This paper reports the synthesis and use of Pd/Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanowires, as magnetically separable catalysts for ligand-free amidation coupling reactions of aryl halides with benzylurea under microwave irradiation. Then, the in situ hydrogenolysis of the products was performed to afford the N-monosubstituted ureas from good to excellent yields. This method has the advantages of high yields, simple methodology and easy work up. Themore » catalyst can be recovered by using a magnet and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. The catalyst was characterized using the powder XRD, SEM, EDS and UV–vis spectroscopy. Experimental absorbance spectra was compared with results from the Gans theory.« less

Ferromagnetic nanowires: Field-induced self-assembly, magnetotransport and biological applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanase, Monica

In this dissertation, a series of experiments on magnetic nanowires are described. Magnetic nanowires suspended in fluid solutions can be assembled and ordered by taking advantage of their large shape anisotropy. Magnetic manipulation and assembly techniques were developed, using electrodeposited Ni nanowires. Preorienting nanowires in a small magnetic field induced their self-assembly in continuous chains. A new technique of magnetic trapping allowed capture of single nanowires from fluid suspension on lithographically fabricated micromagnets. As described herein, the presence of an external magnetic field plays a fundamental role in all fluid assembly methods used. The dynamics of both chaining and trapping processes is described quantitatively in terms of the interplay of magnetic forces and fluid drag at low Reynolds number. Lithographic methods for addressing single nanowires for transport characterization were developed. Magnetotransport measurements were performed on individual straight and bent PtNiPt nanowires. The Pt end segments provided an oxide-free interface to the magnetic central segment. In straight nanowires, domain reversal was observed to occur via curling mode initiated in a small nucleation volume. Magnetotransport in bent nanowires allowed the investigation of a domain wall trapped at the bend. Magnetic trapping of nanowires on pre-fabricated electrodes was adapted as a successful alternative contacting technique to lithography. The self-assembly and manipulation techniques were adapted for manipulation of cells as nanowires were found to bind to cells through nonspecific adhesion mechanisms. Ni nanowires were found to outperform superparamagnetic beads in magnetic cell separations. Additionally, the large remnant magnetization of the nanowires allowed for low-field manipulation techniques. Self-assembled chains of cells were formed and single cells were localized on substrates patterned with micromagnets. A fluid flow method was developed to controllably introduce the cells in the proximity of arrays of micromagnets. Cells decorated the arrays forming patterns described well by dipolar interactions between the magnetic elements and the nanowires. Calculations of the locations favorable for trapping were performed by evaluating the energy of interaction between the array and the nanowires. A second-order mechanism of cell capture was also identified, i.e. chaining by wire-wire dipolar interaction.

Semiconductor nanowire devices: Novel morphologies and applications to electrogenic biological systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timko, Brian Paul

The interface between nanoscale semiconductors and biological systems represents a powerful means for molecular-scale, two-way communication between these two diverse yet complementary systems. In this thesis, I present a general methodology for the synthesis of semiconductor nanowires with rationally-defined material composition and geometry. Specifically, I demonstrate that this technique can be used to fabricate silicon nanowires, hollow nanostructures (e.g. nanotubes, nanocones and branched tubular networks), and Ge/Si heterostructures that exhibit 1D hole gasses. Using bottom-up assembly techniques, nanostructures are subsequently built into arrays containing up to tens of nanowire field-effect transistors (NW-FETs) that exhibit exquisite sensitivity to local charges. Significantly, this robust assembly technique enables integration of disparate materials (e.g. n- and p-type silicon nanowires) on virtually any type of substrate. These arrays are particularly useful for integration with biological systems. I will demonstrate that at the single-cell level, silicon nanowire device arrays can be integrated with mammalian neurons. Discrete hybrid structures enable neuronal stimulation and recording at the axon, dendrite, or soma with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, while aligned arrays containing up to 50 devices can be used to measure the speed and temporal evolution of signals or to interact with a single cell as multiple inputs and outputs. I analyze the shape and magnitude of reported signals, and place within the context of previously reported results. Hybrid interfaces can also be extended to entire organs such as embryonic chicken hearts. NW-FET signals are synchronized with the beating heart, and the signal amplitude is directly related to the device sensitivity. Multiplexed measurements made from NW-FET arrays further show that signal propagation across the myocardium can be mapped, with a potential resolution significantly better than microelectrode techniques. I exploit the unique capability of the bottom-up approach to fabricate NW-FET arrays on flexible and transparent plastic substrates, and demonstrate that these novel device arrays enable signal recording in a number of conformations as well as registration of devices to the heart surface. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that nanowire device arrays are a robust platform for studying electrically-active systems at the single-cell or whole-tissue level, and could enable fundamental studies of cellular-level biophysics, real-time drug assays, and novel implants.

Growth of high-aspect ratio horizontally-aligned ZnO nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Soman, Pranav; Darnell, Max; Feldman, Marc D; Chen, Shaochen

2011-08-01

A method of fabricating horizontally-aligned zinc-oxide (ZnO) nanowire (NW) arrays with full control over the width and length is demonstrated. SEM images reveal the hexagonal structure typical of zinc oxide NWs. Arrays of high-aspect ratio horizontal ZnO NWs are fabricated by making use of the lateral overgrowth from dot patterns created by electron beam lithography (EBL). An array of patterned wires are lifted off and transferred to a flexible PDMS substrate with possible applications in several key nanotechnology areas.

Fabrication of heterogeneous nanomaterial array by programmable heating and chemical supply within microfluidic platform towards multiplexed gas sensing application

PubMed Central

Yang, Daejong; Kang, Kyungnam; Kim, Donghwan; Li, Zhiyong; Park, Inkyu

2015-01-01

A facile top-down/bottom-up hybrid nanofabrication process based on programmable temperature control and parallel chemical supply within microfluidic platform has been developed for the all liquid-phase synthesis of heterogeneous nanomaterial arrays. The synthesized materials and locations can be controlled by local heating with integrated microheaters and guided liquid chemical flow within microfluidic platform. As proofs-of-concept, we have demonstrated the synthesis of two types of nanomaterial arrays: (i) parallel array of TiO2 nanotubes, CuO nanospikes and ZnO nanowires, and (ii) parallel array of ZnO nanowire/CuO nanospike hybrid nanostructures, CuO nanospikes and ZnO nanowires. The laminar flow with negligible ionic diffusion between different precursor solutions as well as localized heating was verified by numerical calculation and experimental result of nanomaterial array synthesis. The devices made of heterogeneous nanomaterial array were utilized as a multiplexed sensor for toxic gases such as NO2 and CO. This method would be very useful for the facile fabrication of functional nanodevices based on highly integrated arrays of heterogeneous nanomaterials. PMID:25634814

Plasmon resonant cavities in vertical nanowire arrays

DOEpatents

Bora, Mihail; Bond, Tiziana C.; Fasenfest, Benjamin J.; Behymer, Elaine M.

2014-07-15

Tunable plasmon resonant cavity arrays in paired parallel nanowire waveguides are presented. Resonances can be observed when the waveguide length is an odd multiple of quarter plasmon wavelengths, consistent with boundary conditions of node and antinode at the ends. Two nanowire waveguides can satisfy the dispersion relation of a planar metal-dielectric-metal waveguide of equivalent width equal to the square field average weighted gap. Confinement factors of over 10.sup.3 are possible due to plasmon focusing in the inter-wire space.

Direct selective growth of ZnO nanowire arrays from inkjet-printed zinc acetate precursor on a heated substrate

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Inkjet printing of functional materials has drawn tremendous interest as an alternative to the conventional photolithography-based microelectronics fabrication process development. We introduce direct selective nanowire array growth by inkjet printing of Zn acetate precursor ink patterning and subsequent hydrothermal ZnO local growth without nozzle clogging problem which frequently happens in nanoparticle inkjet printing. The proposed process can directly grow ZnO nanowires in any arbitrary patterned shape, and it is basically very fast, low cost, environmentally benign, and low temperature. Therefore, Zn acetate precursor inkjet printing-based direct nanowire local growth is expected to give extremely high flexibility in nanomaterial patterning for high-performance electronics fabrication especially at the development stage. As a proof of concept of the proposed method, ZnO nanowire network-based field effect transistors and ultraviolet photo-detectors were demonstrated by direct patterned grown ZnO nanowires as active layer. PMID:24252130

Core-shell silicon nanowire solar cells

PubMed Central

Adachi, M. M.; Anantram, M. P.; Karim, K. S.

2013-01-01

Silicon nanowires can enhance broadband optical absorption and reduce radial carrier collection distances in solar cell devices. Arrays of disordered nanowires grown by vapor-liquid-solid method are attractive because they can be grown on low-cost substrates such as glass, and are large area compatible. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that an array of disordered silicon nanowires surrounded by a thin transparent conductive oxide has both low diffuse and specular reflection with total values as low as < 4% over a broad wavelength range of 400 nm < λ < 650 nm. These anti-reflective properties together with enhanced infrared absorption in the core-shell nanowire facilitates enhancement in external quantum efficiency using two different active shell materials: amorphous silicon and nanocrystalline silicon. As a result, the core-shell nanowire device exhibits a short-circuit current enhancement of 15% with an amorphous Si shell and 26% with a nanocrystalline Si shell compared to their corresponding planar devices. PMID:23529071

Highly aligned arrays of high aspect ratio barium titanate nanowires via hydrothermal synthesis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bowland, Christopher C.; Zhou, Zhi; Malakooti, Mohammad H.

2015-06-01

We report on the development of a hydrothermal synthesis procedure that results in the growth of highly aligned arrays of high aspect ratio barium titanate nanowires. Using a multiple step, scalable hydrothermal reaction, a textured titanium dioxide film is deposited on titanium foil upon which highly aligned nanowires are grown via homoepitaxy and converted to barium titanate. Scanning electron microscope images clearly illustrate the effect the textured film has on the degree of orientation of the nanowires. The alignment of nanowires is quantified by calculating the Herman's Orientation Factor, which reveals a 58% improvement in orientation as compared to growthmore » in the absence of the textured film. The ferroelectric properties of barium titanate combined with the development of this scalable growth procedure provide a powerful route towards increasing the efficiency and performance of nanowire-based devices in future real-world applications such as sensing and power harvesting.« less

Highly effective field-effect mobility amorphous InGaZnO TFT mediated by directional silver nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Liu, Hung-Chuan; Lai, Yi-Chun; Lai, Chih-Chung; Wu, Bing-Shu; Zan, Hsiao-Wen; Yu, Peichen; Chueh, Yu-Lun; Tsai, Chuang-Chuang

2015-01-14

In this work, we demonstrate sputtered amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide thin-film transistors (a-IGZO TFTs) with a record high effective field-effect mobility of 174 cm(2)/V s by incorporating silver nanowire (AgNW) arrays to channel electron transport. Compared to the reference counterpart without nanowires, the over 5-fold enhancement in the effective field-effect mobility exhibits clear dependence on the orientation as well as the surface coverage ratio of silver nanowires. Detailed material and device analyses reveal that during the room-temperature IGZO sputtering indium and oxygen diffuse into the nanowire matrix while the nanowire morphology and good contact between IGZO and nanowires are maintained. The unchanged morphology and good interfacial contact lead to high mobility and air-ambient-stable characteristics up to 3 months. Neither hysteresis nor degraded bias stress reliability is observed. The proposed AgNW-mediated a-IGZO TFTs are promising for development of large-scale, flexible, transparent electronics.

Magnetically Recoverable Pd/Fe 3O 4 Core-Shell Nanowire Clusters with Increased Hydrogenation Activity

DOE PAGES

Watt, John; Kotula, Paul G.; Huber, Dale L.

2017-02-06

Core-shell nanostructures are promising candidates for the next generation of catalysts due to synergistic effects which can arise from having two active species in close contact, leading to increased activity. Likewise, catalysts displaying added functionality, such as a magnetic response, can increase their scientific and industrial potential. Here, we synthesize Pd/Fe 3O 4 core-shell nanowire clusters and apply them as hydrogenation catalysts for an industrially important hydrogenation reaction; the conversion of acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol. During synthesis, the palladium nanowires self-assemble into clusters which act as a high surface area framework for the growth of a magnetic iron oxide shell. Wemore » demonstrate excellent catalytic activity due to the presence of palladium while the strong magnetic properties provided by the iron oxide shell enable facile catalyst recovery.« less

Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation by GaAs Nanowire Arrays Protected with Atomic Layer Deposited NiO x Electrocatalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, Joy; Xu, Xiaoqing; Parameshwaran, Vijay; Baker, Jon; Bent, Stacey; Wong, H.-S. Philip; Clemens, Bruce

2018-02-01

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen production makes possible the direct conversion of solar energy into chemical fuel. In this work, PEC photoanodes consisting of GaAs nanowire (NW) arrays were fabricated, characterized, and then demonstrated for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Uniform and periodic GaAs nanowire arrays were grown on a heavily n-doped GaAs substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition selective area growth. The nanowire arrays were characterized using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy in a non-aqueous electrochemical system using ferrocene/ferrocenium (Fc/Fc+) as a redox couple, and a maximum oxidation photocurrent of 11.1 mA/cm2 was measured. GaAs NW arrays with a 36 nm layer of nickel oxide (NiO x ) synthesized by atomic layer deposition were then used as photoanodes to drive the OER. In addition to acting as an electrocatalyst, the NiO x layer served to protect the GaAs NWs from oxidative corrosion. Using this strategy, GaAs NW photoanodes were successfully used for the oxygen evolution reaction. This is the first demonstration of GaAs NW arrays for effective OER, and the fabrication and protection strategy developed in this work can be extended to study any other nanostructured semiconductor materials systems for electrochemical solar energy conversion.

Prevalence of information stored in arrays of magnetic nanowires against external fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ceballos, D.; Cisternas, E.; Vogel, E. E.; Allende, S.

2018-04-01

Arrays of magnetic nanowires in porous alumina can be used to store information inscribed on the system by orienting the magnetization of selected wires pointing in a desired direction, so symbols can be read as ferromagnetic sectors. However, this information is subject to aging and the stored information could be gradually lost. We investigate here two mechanisms proposed to improve the prevalence of the stored information: opposite ferromagnetic band at the center of the symbol and bi-segmented nanowires acting as two layers of nanowires storing the same information. Both mechanisms prove to increase resistance to the action of external magnetic fields for the case of Ni wires in a geometry compatible with actually grown nanowires. Advantages and disadvantages of these mechanisms are discussed.

Magnetization reversal and coercivity of Fe3Se4 nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, D.; Li, S. J.; Zhou, Y. T.; Bai, Y.; Zhu, Y. L.; Ren, W. J.; Long, G.; Zeng, H.; Zhang, Z. D.

2015-05-01

The microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe3Se4 nanowire (NW) arrays in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) porous membrane are studied. Cross-sectional SEM and plane-view TEM images show that the mean wire diameter (dw) and the center-to-center spacing (D) of Fe3Se4 nanowires are about 220 nm and 330 nm, respectively. The field-cooled magnetization dependent on the temperature indicates a Curie temperature around 334 K for the Fe3Se4 nanowires. The coercivities of Fe3Se4 nanowires at 10 K, obtained from the in-plane and out-of-plane hysteresis loops, are as high as 22.4 kOe and 23.3 kOe, which can be understood from the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and the magnetization reversal process.

1-D Metal Nanobead Arrays within Encapsulated Nanowires via a Red-Ox-Induced Dewetting: Mechanism Study by Atom-Probe Tomography.

PubMed

Sun, Zhiyuan; Tzaguy, Avra; Hazut, Ori; Lauhon, Lincoln J; Yerushalmi, Roie; Seidman, David N

2017-12-13

Metal nanoparticle arrays are excellent candidates for a variety of applications due to the versatility of their morphology and structure at the nanoscale. Bottom-up self-assembly of metal nanoparticles provides an important complementary alternative to the traditional top-down lithography method and makes it possible to assemble structures with higher-order complexity, for example, nanospheres, nanocubes, and core-shell nanostructures. Here we present a mechanism study of the self-assembly process of 1-D noble metal nanoparticles arrays, composed of Au, Ag, and AuAg alloy nanoparticles. These are prepared within an encapsulated germanium nanowire, obtained by the oxidation of a metal-germanium nanowire hybrid structure. The resulting structure is a 1-D array of equidistant metal nanoparticles with the same diameter, the so-called nanobead (NB) array structure. Atom-probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy were utilized to investigate the details of the morphological and chemical evolution during the oxidation of the encapsulated metal-germanium nanowire hybrid-structures. The self-assembly of nanoparticles relies on the formation of a metal-germanium liquid alloy and the migration of the liquid alloy into the nanowire, followed by dewetting of the liquid during shape-confined oxidation where the liquid column breaks-up into nanoparticles due to the Plateau-Rayleigh instability. Our results demonstrate that the encapsulating oxide layer serves as a structural scaffold, retaining the overall shape during the eutectic liquid formation and demonstrates the relationship between the oxide mechanical properties and the final structural characteristics of the 1-D arrays. The mechanistic details revealed here provide a versatile tool-box for the bottom-up fabrication of 1-D arrays nanopatterning that can be modified for multiple applications according to the RedOx properties of the material system components.

Vertically p-n-junctioned GaN nano-wire array diode fabricated on Si(111) using MOCVD.

PubMed

Park, Ji-Hyeon; Kim, Min-Hee; Kissinger, Suthan; Lee, Cheul-Ro

2013-04-07

We demonstrate the fabrication of n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg nanowire arrays on (111) silicon substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method .The nanowires were grown by a newly developed two-step growth process. The diameter of as-grown nanowires ranges from 300-400 nm with a density of 6-7 × 10(7) cm(-2). The p- and n-type doping of the nanowires is achieved with Mg and Si dopant species. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) indicates that the nanowires are relatively defect-free. The room-temperature photoluminescence emission with a strong peak at 370 nm indicates that the n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg nanowire arrays have potential application in light-emitting nanodevices. The cathodoluminscence (CL) spectrum clearly shows a distinct optical transition of GaN nanodiodes. The nano-n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg diodes were further completed using a sputter coating approach to deposit Au/Ni metal contacts. The polysilazane filler has been etched by a wet chemical etching process. The n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg nanowire diode was fabricated for different Mg source flow rates. The current-voltage (I-V) measurements reveal excellent rectifying properties with an obvious turn-on voltage at 1.6 V for a Mg flow rate of 5 sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute).

Vertically p-n-junctioned GaN nano-wire array diode fabricated on Si(111) using MOCVD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Ji-Hyeon; Kim, Min-Hee; Kissinger, Suthan; Lee, Cheul-Ro

2013-03-01

We demonstrate the fabrication of n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg nanowire arrays on (111) silicon substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method .The nanowires were grown by a newly developed two-step growth process. The diameter of as-grown nanowires ranges from 300-400 nm with a density of 6-7 × 107 cm-2. The p- and n-type doping of the nanowires is achieved with Mg and Si dopant species. Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) indicates that the nanowires are relatively defect-free. The room-temperature photoluminescence emission with a strong peak at 370 nm indicates that the n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg nanowire arrays have potential application in light-emitting nanodevices. The cathodoluminscence (CL) spectrum clearly shows a distinct optical transition of GaN nanodiodes. The nano-n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg diodes were further completed using a sputter coating approach to deposit Au/Ni metal contacts. The polysilazane filler has been etched by a wet chemical etching process. The n-GaN:Si/p-GaN:Mg nanowire diode was fabricated for different Mg source flow rates. The current-voltage (I-V) measurements reveal excellent rectifying properties with an obvious turn-on voltage at 1.6 V for a Mg flow rate of 5 sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute).

Rapid Synthesis of Thin and Long Mo17O47 Nanowire-Arrays in an Oxygen Deficient Flame

PubMed Central

Allen, Patrick; Cai, Lili; Zhou, Lite; Zhao, Chenqi; Rao, Pratap M.

2016-01-01

Mo17O47 nanowire-arrays are promising active materials and electrically-conductive supports for batteries and other devices. While high surface area resulting from long, thin, densely packed nanowires generally leads to improved performance in a wide variety of applications, the Mo17O47 nanowire-arrays synthesized previously by electrically-heated chemical vapor deposition under vacuum conditions were relatively thick and short. Here, we demonstrate a method to grow significantly thinner and longer, densely packed, high-purity Mo17O47 nanowire-arrays with diameters of 20–60 nm and lengths of 4–6 μm on metal foil substrates using rapid atmospheric flame vapor deposition without any chamber or walls. The atmospheric pressure and 1000 °C evaporation temperature resulted in smaller diameters, longer lengths and order-of-magnitude faster growth rate than previously demonstrated. As explained by kinetic and thermodynamic calculations, the selective synthesis of high-purity Mo17O47 nanowires is achieved due to low oxygen partial pressure in the flame products as a result of the high ratio of fuel to oxidizer supplied to the flame, which enables the correct ratio of MoO2 and MoO3 vapor concentrations for the growth of Mo17O47. This flame synthesis method is therefore a promising route for the growth of composition-controlled one-dimensional metal oxide nanomaterials for many applications. PMID:27271194

Three-Dimensional Porous Iron Vanadate Nanowire Arrays as a High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery.

PubMed

Cao, Yunhe; Fang, Dong; Liu, Ruina; Jiang, Ming; Zhang, Hang; Li, Guangzhong; Luo, Zhiping; Liu, Xiaoqing; Xu, Jie; Xu, Weilin; Xiong, Chuanxi

2015-12-23

Development of three-dimensional nanoarchitectures on current collectors has emerged as an effective strategy for enhancing rate capability and cycling stability of the electrodes. Herein, a new type of three-dimensional porous iron vanadate (Fe0.12V2O5) nanowire arrays on a Ti foil has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The as-prepared Fe0.12V2O5 nanowires are about 30 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length. The effect of reaction time on the resulting morphology is investigated and the mechanism for the nanowire formation is proposed. As an electrode material used in lithium-ion batteries, the unique configuration of the Fe0.12V2O5 nanowire arrays presents enhanced capacitance, satisfying rate capability and good cycling stability, as evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic discharge-charge cycling. It delivers a high discharge capacity of 293 mAh·g(-1) at 2.0-3.6 V or 382.2 mAh·g(-1) at 1.0-4.0 V after 50 cycles at 30 mA·g(-1).

Self-bridging of vertical silicon nanowires and a universal capacitive force model for spontaneous attraction in nanostructures.

PubMed

Sun, Zhelin; Wang, Deli; Xiang, Jie

2014-11-25

Spontaneous attractions between free-standing nanostructures have often caused adhesion or stiction that affects a wide range of nanoscale devices, particularly nano/microelectromechanical systems. Previous understandings of the attraction mechanisms have included capillary force, van der Waals/Casimir forces, and surface polar charges. However, none of these mechanisms universally applies to simple semiconductor structures such as silicon nanowire arrays that often exhibit bunching or adhesions. Here we propose a simple capacitive force model to quantitatively study the universal spontaneous attraction that often causes stiction among semiconductor or metallic nanostructures such as vertical nanowire arrays with inevitably nonuniform size variations due to fabrication. When nanostructures are uniform in size, they share the same substrate potential. The presence of slight size differences will break the symmetry in the capacitive network formed between the nanowires, substrate, and their environment, giving rise to electrostatic attraction forces due to the relative potential difference between neighboring wires. Our model is experimentally verified using arrays of vertical silicon nanowire pairs with varied spacing, diameter, and size differences. Threshold nanowire spacing, diameter, or size difference between the nearest neighbors has been identified beyond which the nanowires start to exhibit spontaneous attraction that leads to bridging when electrostatic forces overcome elastic restoration forces. This work illustrates a universal understanding of spontaneous attraction that will impact the design, fabrication, and reliable operation of nanoscale devices and systems.

Magnetic characteristics of CoPd and FePd antidot arrays on nanoperforated Al2O3 templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maximenko, A.; Fedotova, J.; Marszałek, M.; Zarzycki, A.; Zabila, Y.

2016-02-01

Hard magnetic antidot arrays show promising results in context of designing of percolated perpendicular media. In this work the technology of magnetic FePd and CoPd antidot arrays fabrication is presented and correlation between surface morphology, structure and magnetic properties is discussed. CoPd and FePd antidot arrays were fabricated by deposition of Co/Pd and Fe/Pd multilayers (MLs) on porous anodic aluminum oxide templates with bowl-shape cell structure with inclined intercellular regions. FePd ordered L10 structure was obtained by successive vacuum annealing at elevated temperatures (530 °C) and confirmed by XRD analysis. Systematic analysis of magnetization curves evidenced perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of CoPd antidot arrays, while FePd antidot arrays revealed isotropic magnetic anisotropy with increased out-of-plane magnetic contribution. MFM images of antidots showed more complicated contrast, with alternating magnetic dots oriented parallel and antiparallel to tip magnetization moment.

A top-down approach to fabrication of high quality vertical heterostructure nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Wang, Hua; Sun, Minghua; Ding, Kang; Hill, Martin T; Ning, Cun-Zheng

2011-04-13

We demonstrate a novel top-down approach for fabricating nanowires with unprecedented complexity and optical quality by taking advantage of a nanoscale self-masking effect. We realized vertical arrays of nanowires of 20-40 nm in diameter with 16 segments of complex longitudinal InGaAsP/InP structures. The unprecedented high quality of etched wires is evidenced by the narrowest photoluminescence linewidth ever produced in similar wavelengths, indistinguishable from that of the corresponding wafer. This top-down, mask-free, large scale approach is compatible with the established device fabrication processes and could serve as an important alternative to the bottom-up approach, significantly expanding ranges and varieties of applications of nanowire technology.

Direct-current nanogenerator driven by ultrasonic waves.

PubMed

Wang, Xudong; Song, Jinhui; Liu, Jin; Wang, Zhong Lin

2007-04-06

We have developed a nanowire nanogenerator that is driven by an ultrasonic wave to produce continuous direct-current output. The nanogenerator was fabricated with vertically aligned zinc oxide nanowire arrays that were placed beneath a zigzag metal electrode with a small gap. The wave drives the electrode up and down to bend and/or vibrate the nanowires. A piezoelectric-semiconducting coupling process converts mechanical energy into electricity. The zigzag electrode acts as an array of parallel integrated metal tips that simultaneously and continuously create, collect, and output electricity from all of the nanowires. The approach presents an adaptable, mobile, and cost-effective technology for harvesting energy from the environment, and it offers a potential solution for powering nanodevices and nanosystems.

Superconductor-insulator transition in quasi-one-dimensional single-crystal Nb₂PdS₅ nanowires.

PubMed

Ning, Wei; Yu, Hongyan; Liu, Yequn; Han, Yuyan; Wang, Ning; Yang, Jiyong; Du, Haifeng; Zhang, Changjin; Mao, Zhiqiang; Liu, Ying; Tian, Mingliang; Zhang, Yuheng

2015-02-11

Superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) in one-dimensional (1D) nanowires attracts great attention in the past decade and remains an open question since contrasting results were reported in nanowires with different morphologies (i.e., granular, polycrystalline, or amorphous) or environments. Nb2PdS5 is a recently discovered low-dimensional superconductor with typical quasi-1D chain structure. By decreasing the wire diameter in the range of 100-300 nm, we observed a clear SIT with a 1D transport character driven by both the cross-sectional area and external magnetic field. We also found that the upper critical magnetic field (Hc2) decreases with the reduction of nanowire cross-sectional area. The temperature dependence of the resistance below Tc can be described by the thermally activated phase slip (TAPS) theory without any signature of quantum phase slips (QPS). These findings demonstrated that the enhanced Coulomb interactions with the shrinkage of the wire diameter competes with the interchain Josephson-like coupling may play a crucial role on the SIT in quasi-1D system.

Metallic Nanowire Interconnections for Integrated Circuit Fabrication

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ng, Hou Tee (Inventor); Li, Jun (Inventor); Meyyappan, Meyya (Inventor)

2007-01-01

A method for fabricating an electrical interconnect between two or more electrical components. A conductive layer is provided on a substarte and a thin, patterned catalyst array is deposited on an exposed surface of the conductive layer. A gas or vapor of a metallic precursor of a metal nanowire (MeNW) is provided around the catalyst array, and MeNWs grow between the conductive layer and the catalyst array. The catalyst array and a portion of each of the MeNWs are removed to provide exposed ends of the MeNWs.

Electrolyte-gated transistors based on conducting polymer nanowire junction arrays.

PubMed

Alam, Maksudul M; Wang, Jun; Guo, Yaoyao; Lee, Stephanie P; Tseng, Hsian-Rong

2005-07-07

In this study, we describe the electrolyte gating and doping effects of transistors based on conducting polymer nanowire electrode junction arrays in buffered aqueous media. Conducting polymer nanowires including polyaniline, polypyrrole, and poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) were investigated. In the presence of a positive gate bias, the device exhibits a large on/off current ratio of 978 for polyaniline nanowire-based transistors; these values vary according to the acidity of the gate medium. We attribute these efficient electrolyte gating and doping effects to the electrochemically fabricated nanostructures of conducting polymer nanowires. This study demonstrates that two-terminal devices can be easily converted into three-terminal transistors by simply immersing the device into an electrolyte solution along with a gate electrode. Here, the field-induced modulation can be applied for signal amplification to enhance the device performance.

Hierarchical Carbon Fibers with ZnO Nanowires for Volatile Sensing in Composite Curing (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

needed to demonstrate the use of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowire coated carbon fibers as a volatile sensor. ZnO nanowires are demonstrated to function as...processing. For this work, we report on the foundational study needed to demonstrate the use of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowire coated carbon fibers as a...array of ZnO nanowires. Zinc oxide nanowires become more conductive in the presence of ethanol – as analyte sorbs to the surface, electron density

Controlled Growth of Parallel Oriented ZnO Nanostructural Arrays on Ga2O3 Nanowires

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-11-01

Controlled Growth of Parallel Oriented ZnO Nanostructural Arrays on Ga2O3 Nanowires Lena Mazeina,* Yoosuf N. Picard, and Sharka M. Prokes Electronics...Manuscript ReceiVed NoVember 6, 2008 ABSTRACT: Novel hierarchical ZnO- Ga2O3 nanostructures were fabricated via a two stage growth process. Nanowires of Ga2O3 ...nanobrushes (NBs) with Ga2O3 as the core and ZnO as the branches self-assembling symmetrically in six equiangular directions around the core

Characterizations of low-temperature electroluminescence from ZnO nanowire light-emitting arrays on the p-GaN layer.

PubMed

Lu, Tzu-Chun; Ke, Min-Yung; Yang, Sheng-Chieh; Cheng, Yun-Wei; Chen, Liang-Yi; Lin, Guan-Jhong; Lu, Yu-Hsin; He, Jr-Hau; Kuo, Hao-Chung; Huang, JianJang

2010-12-15

Low-temperature electroluminescence from ZnO nanowire light-emitting arrays is reported. By inserting a thin MgO current blocking layer in between ZnO nanowire and p-GaN, high-purity UV light emission at wavelength 398 nm was obtained. As the temperature is decreased, contrary to the typical GaN-based light emitting diodes, our device shows a decrease of optical output intensity. The results are associated with various carrier tunneling processes and frozen MgO defects.

Silicon Nanowire Growth at Chosen Positions and Orientations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Getty, Stephanie A.

2009-01-01

It is now possible to grow silicon nanowires at chosen positions and orientations by a method that involves a combination of standard microfabrication processes. Because their positions and orientations can be chosen with unprecedented precision, the nanowires can be utilized as integral parts of individually electronically addressable devices in dense arrays. Nanowires made from silicon and perhaps other semiconductors hold substantial promise for integration into highly miniaturized sensors, field-effect transistors, optoelectronic devices, and other electronic devices. Like bulk semiconductors, inorganic semiconducting nanowires are characterized by electronic energy bandgaps that render them suitable as means of modulating or controlling electronic signals through electrostatic gating, in response to incident light, or in response to molecules of interest close to their surfaces. There is now potential for fabricating arrays of uniform, individually electronically addressable nanowires tailored to specific applications. The method involves formation of metal catalytic particles at the desired positions on a substrate, followed by heating the substrate in the presence of silane gas. The figure illustrates an example in which a substrate includes a silicon dioxide surface layer that has been etched into an array of pillars and the catalytic (in this case, gold) particles have been placed on the right-facing sides of the pillars. The catalytic thermal decomposition of the silane to silicon and hydrogen causes silicon columns (the desired nanowires) to grow outward from the originally catalyzed spots on the substrate, carrying the catalytic particles at their tips. Thus, the position and orientation of each silicon nanowire is determined by the position of its originally catalyzed spot on the substrate surface, and the orientation of the nanowire is perpendicular to the substrate surface at the originally catalyzed spot.

In situ fabrication of Ni-Co (oxy)hydroxide nanowire-supported nanoflake arrays and their application in supercapacitors.

PubMed

Zheng, Xiaoyu; Quan, Honglin; Li, Xiaoxin; He, Hai; Ye, Qinglan; Xu, Xuetang; Wang, Fan

2016-09-29

Three-dimensional (3D) hybrid nanostructured arrays grown on a flexible substrate have recently attracted great attention owing to their potential application as supercapacitor electrodes in portable and wearable electronic devices. Here, we report an in situ conversion of Ni-Co active electrode materials for the fabrication of high-performance electrodes. Ni-Co carbonate hydroxide nanowire arrays on carbon cloth were initially synthesized via a hydrothermal method, and they were gradually converted to Ni-Co (oxy)hydroxide nanowire-supported nanoflake arrays after soaking in an alkaline solution. The evolution of the supercapacitor performance of the soaked electrode was investigated in detail. The areal capacitance increases from 281 mF cm -2 at 1 mA cm -2 to 3710 and 3900 mF cm -2 after soaking for 36 h and 48 h, respectively. More interestingly, the electrode also shows an increased capacitance with charge/discharge cycles due to the long-time soaking in KOH solution, suggesting novel cycling durability. The enhancement in capacitive performance should be related to the formation of a unique nanowire-supported nanoflake array architecture, which controls the agglomeration of nanoflakes, making them fully activated. As a result, the facile in situ fabrication of the hybrid architectural design in this study provides a new approach to fabricate high-performance Ni/Co based hydroxide nanostructure arrays for next-generation energy storage devices.

Enhanced H2 sensitivity at room temperature of ZnO nanowires functionalized by Pd nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Shoutian; Fan, Guanghua; Qu, Shiliang; Wang, Qiang

2011-10-01

For sensitive detection of H2, ZnO nanowires networks decorated with photo-decomposed Pd nanoparticles were fabricated between femtosecond laser-writing interdigitated electrodes by chemical vapor deposition method. When H2 concentration is increased from 20 to 4000 ppm at room temperature, sensitivity of the sample is increased from 3.7% to 1017.9%. The high sensitivity can be explained by considering the reaction between the adsorbed O2- and the disassociated H atoms facilitated by Pd nanoparticles. This mechanism is further supported by the H2 response results under UV light illumination, which can reduce the amount of O2- on the ZnO surface, leading to depressed sensitivity. The sensor also shows high selectivity, long-term stability, and ultra-low power consumption of nanowatt level, due to the novel fabrication process.

Tandem Solar Cells Using GaAs Nanowires on Si: Design, Fabrication, and Observation of Voltage Addition.

PubMed

Yao, Maoqing; Cong, Sen; Arab, Shermin; Huang, Ningfeng; Povinelli, Michelle L; Cronin, Stephen B; Dapkus, P Daniel; Zhou, Chongwu

2015-11-11

Multijunction solar cells provide us a viable approach to achieve efficiencies higher than the Shockley-Queisser limit. Due to their unique optical, electrical, and crystallographic features, semiconductor nanowires are good candidates to achieve monolithic integration of solar cell materials that are not lattice-matched. Here, we report the first realization of nanowire-on-Si tandem cells with the observation of voltage addition of the GaAs nanowire top cell and the Si bottom cell with an open circuit voltage of 0.956 V and an efficiency of 11.4%. Our simulation showed that the current-matching condition plays an important role in the overall efficiency. Furthermore, we characterized GaAs nanowire arrays grown on lattice-mismatched Si substrates and estimated the carrier density using photoluminescence. A low-resistance connecting junction was obtained using n(+)-GaAs/p(+)-Si heterojunction. Finally, we demonstrated tandem solar cells based on top GaAs nanowire array solar cells grown on bottom planar Si solar cells. The reported nanowire-on-Si tandem cell opens up great opportunities for high-efficiency, low-cost multijunction solar cells.

Current induced incoherent magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic/non-magnetic metallic multilayer nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Rashid, Md Mamun; Maqableh, Mazin; Stadler, Bethanie; Atulasimha, Jayasimha

High density arrays of electrodeposited nanowires consisting of ferromagnetic/non-magnetic (Co/Cu) multilayers are promising as magnetic memory devices. For individual nanowires containing multiple (Co/Cu) bilayers, the stable magnetization orientations of the Co layers (with respect to each other and the nanowire axis) are dependent on the Cu layer thickness, even when the Co layer dimensions are fixed. This dependence is a result of the competition between shape anisotropy, magneto-crystalline anisotropy and intra-wire dipole coupling. However, when the nanowires are closely packed in arrays, inter-wire dipole coupling can result in complex and tunable domain structures comprising segments of multiple nanowires. This work explores the dependence of these domain structures and their switching on the non-magnetic layer thickness and intra-wire spacing both experimentally and via rigorous micromagnetic simulation. These domain structures play a crucial role in determining the current and time required for STT switching. NSF CAREER Grant CCF-1253370.

Seedless Growth of Bismuth Nanowire Array via Vacuum Thermal Evaporation

PubMed Central

Liu, Mingzhao; Nam, Chang-Yong; Zhang, Lihua

2015-01-01

Here a seedless and template-free technique is demonstrated to scalably grow bismuth nanowires, through thermal evaporation in high vacuum at RT. Conventionally reserved for the fabrication of metal thin films, thermal evaporation deposits bismuth into an array of vertical single crystalline nanowires over a flat thin film of vanadium held at RT, which is freshly deposited by magnetron sputtering or thermal evaporation. By controlling the temperature of the growth substrate the length and width of the nanowires can be tuned over a wide range. Responsible for this novel technique is a previously unknown nanowire growth mechanism that roots in the mild porosity of the vanadium thin film. Infiltrated into the vanadium pores, the bismuth domains (~ 1 nm) carry excessive surface energy that suppresses their melting point and continuously expels them out of the vanadium matrix to form nanowires. This discovery demonstrates the feasibility of scalable vapor phase synthesis of high purity nanomaterials without using any catalysts. PMID:26709727

Transparent arrays of silver nanowire rings driven by evaporation of sessile droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaofeng; Kang, Giho; Seong, Baekhoon; Chae, Illkyeong; Teguh Yudistira, Hadi; Lee, Hyungdong; Kim, Hyunggun; Byun, Doyoung

2017-11-01

A coffee-ring pattern can be yielded on the three-phase contact line following evaporation of sessile droplets with suspended insoluble solutes, such as particles, DNA molecules, and mammalian cells. The formation of such coffee-ring, together with their suppression has been applied in printing and coating technologies. We present here an experimental study on the assembly of silver nanowires inside an evaporating droplet of a colloidal suspension. The effects of nanowire length and concentration on coffee-ring formation of the colloidal suspension were investigated. Several sizes of NWs with an aspect ratio between 50 and 1000 were systematically investigated to fabricate coffee-ring patterns. Larger droplets containing shorter nanowires formed clearer ring deposits after evaporation. An order-to-disorder transition of the nanowires’ alignment was found inside the rings. A printing technique with the evaporation process enabled fabrication of arrays of silver nanowire rings. We could manipulate the patterns silver nanowire rings, which might be applied to the transparent and flexible electrode.

Dynamical formation of spatially localized arrays of aligned nanowires in plastic films with magnetic anisotropy.

PubMed

Fragouli, Despina; Buonsanti, Raffaella; Bertoni, Giovanni; Sangregorio, Claudio; Innocenti, Claudia; Falqui, Andrea; Gatteschi, Dante; Cozzoli, Pantaleo Davide; Athanassiou, Athanassia; Cingolani, Roberto

2010-04-27

We present a simple technique for magnetic-field-induced formation, assembling, and positioning of magnetic nanowires in a polymer film. Starting from a polymer/iron oxide nanoparticle casted solution that is allowed to dry along with the application of a weak magnetic field, nanocomposite films incorporating aligned nanocrystal-built nanowire arrays are obtained. The control of the dimensions of the nanowires and of their localization across the polymer matrix is achieved by varying the duration of the applied magnetic field, in combination with the evaporation dynamics. These multifunctional anisotropic free-standing nanocomposite films, which demonstrate high magnetic anisotropy, can be used in a wide field of technological applications, ranging from sensors to microfluidics and magnetic devices.

Protein retention on plasma-treated hierarchical nanoscale gold-silver platform

PubMed Central

Fang, Jinghua; Levchenko, Igor; Mai-Prochnow, Anne; Keidar, Michael; Cvelbar, Uros; Filipic, Gregor; Han, Zhao Jun; Ostrikov, Kostya (Ken)

2015-01-01

Dense arrays of gold-supported silver nanowires of about 100 nm in diameter grown directly in the channels of nanoporous aluminium oxide membrane were fabricated and tested as a novel platform for the immobilization and retention of BSA proteins in the microbial-protective environments. Additional treatment of the silver nanowires using low-temperature plasmas in the inductively-coupled plasma reactor and an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet have demonstrated that the morphology of the nanowire array can be controlled and the amount of the retained protein may be increased due to the plasma effect. A combination of the neutral gold sublayer with the antimicrobial properties of silver nanowires could significantly enhance the efficiency of the platforms used in various biotechnological processes. PMID:26307515

Protein retention on plasma-treated hierarchical nanoscale gold-silver platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Jinghua; Levchenko, Igor; Mai-Prochnow, Anne; Keidar, Michael; Cvelbar, Uros; Filipic, Gregor; Han, Zhao Jun; Ostrikov, Kostya (Ken)

2015-08-01

Dense arrays of gold-supported silver nanowires of about 100 nm in diameter grown directly in the channels of nanoporous aluminium oxide membrane were fabricated and tested as a novel platform for the immobilization and retention of BSA proteins in the microbial-protective environments. Additional treatment of the silver nanowires using low-temperature plasmas in the inductively-coupled plasma reactor and an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet have demonstrated that the morphology of the nanowire array can be controlled and the amount of the retained protein may be increased due to the plasma effect. A combination of the neutral gold sublayer with the antimicrobial properties of silver nanowires could significantly enhance the efficiency of the platforms used in various biotechnological processes.

Synthesis and Characteristics of Large-Area and High-Filling CdS Nanowire Arrays in AAO Template.

PubMed

Lv, Xiao-Yi; Hou, Jun-Wei; Gao, Zhi-Xian; Liu, Hong-Fei

2018-05-01

CdS nanowires arrays were successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal process using AAO as templates. The phase structures, morphologies, and optical properties of the products were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It was found that the nanowires were composed of hexagonal structure CdS nanoparticles and the average diameters is about 60-70 nm. A strong green emission with a maximum around 505 nm was observed from the synthesized CdS nanowires at room temperature, which was attributed to near-band-edge emission. A 3D self-seed nucleation coalescent process was proposed for the formation of CdS nanowires structures. The present synthetic route is expected to be applied to the synthesis of other II-VI groups or other group's 1D semiconducting materials.

Optimal design of aperiodic, vertical silicon nanowire structures for photovoltaics.

PubMed

Lin, Chenxi; Povinelli, Michelle L

2011-09-12

We design a partially aperiodic, vertically-aligned silicon nanowire array that maximizes photovoltaic absorption. The optimal structure is obtained using a random walk algorithm with transfer matrix method based electromagnetic forward solver. The optimal, aperiodic structure exhibits a 2.35 times enhancement in ultimate efficiency compared to its periodic counterpart. The spectral behavior mimics that of a periodic array with larger lattice constant. For our system, we find that randomly-selected, aperiodic structures invariably outperform the periodic array.

Conductivity of Nanowire Arrays under Random and Ordered Orientation Configurations

PubMed Central

Jagota, Milind; Tansu, Nelson

2015-01-01

A computational model was developed to analyze electrical conductivity of random metal nanowire networks. It was demonstrated for the first time through use of this model that a performance gain in random metal nanowire networks can be achieved by slightly restricting nanowire orientation. It was furthermore shown that heavily ordered configurations do not outperform configurations with some degree of randomness; randomness in the case of metal nanowire orientations acts to increase conductivity. PMID:25976936

3D ZnIn2S4 nanosheet/TiO2 nanowire arrays and their efficient photocathodic protection for 304 stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Wenxia; Wei, Na; Cui, Hongzhi; Lin, Yuan; Wang, Xinzhen; Tian, Jian; Li, Jian; Wen, Jing

2018-03-01

A well-designed heterostructure engineered ZnIn2S4 nanosheet/TiO2 nanowire arrays photoanode is investigated for photocathodic protection. The ZnIn2S4 nanosheets are distributed uniformly on the surface of the TiO2 nanowire by a hydrothermal method. The stem-and-leaf-like ZnIn2S4 nanosheet/TiO2 nanowire arrays exhibit excellent photoelectrochemical properties, owing to the energy band structure and large surface area. A maximum photocurrent density of 2 mA cm-2 is achieved for the ZnIn2S4 nanosheet/TiO2 nanowire composite film for a 6 h reaction time under white illumination. Moreover, the potential of the 304 stainless steel coupled with the composite film immediately shifts negatively to -1.17 V (vs. SCE), which is significantly lower than the corrosion potential (-0.201 V vs. SCE). Thus, the composite film offers a superior photocathodic protection for stainless steel against corrosion by a NaCl solution. This study provides a promising approach for the design and synthesis of composite films with enhanced photoelectrochemical performance.

Fabrication of CoFe2O4 ferrite nanowire arrays in porous silicon template and their local magnetic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hui, Zheng; Man-Gui, Han; Long-Jiang, Deng

2016-02-01

CoFe2O4 ferrite nanowire arrays are fabricated in porous silicon templates. The porous silicon templates are prepared via metal-assisted chemical etching with gold (Au) nanoparticles as the catalyst. Subsequently, CoFe2O4 ferrite nanowires are successfully synthesized into porous silicon templates by the sol-gel method. The magnetic hysteresis loop of nanowire array shows an isotropic feature of magnetic properties. The coercivity and squareness ratio (Mr/Ms) of ensemble nanowires are found to be 630 Oe (1 Oe, = 79.5775 A·m-1 and 0.4 respectively. However, the first-order reversal curve (FORC) is adopted to reveal the probability density function of local magnetostatic properties (i.e., interwire interaction field and coercivity). The FORC diagram shows an obvious distribution feature for interaction field and coercivity. The local coercivity with a value of about 1000 Oe is found to have the highest probability. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61271039), the Scientific Projects of Sichuan Province, China (Grant No. 2015HH0016), and the Natural Science Foundations of Zhejiang Province, China (Grant Nos. LQ12E02001 and Y107255).

Tunable, flexible antireflection layer of ZnO nanowires embedded in PDMS.

PubMed

Kim, Min Kyu; Yi, Dong Kee; Paik, Ungyu

2010-05-18

In this article, we report the fabrication of ordered hybrid structures composed of ZnO nanowires and a polymeric matrix with a polymer precursor infiltrating the nanowire arrays. The antireflective properties of the resulting ZnO nanowire-embedded polydimethylsiloxane composite (ZPC) were investigated at various ZnO nanowire lengths and ZPC bending angles. Interestingly, we found that whereas the antireflective properties showed a strong dependence on the length of the embedded ZnO nanowires in PDMS, the bending of ZPC has little effect on the antireflective properties.

Fabrication of flexible and vertical silicon nanowire electronics.

PubMed

Weisse, Jeffrey M; Lee, Chi Hwan; Kim, Dong Rip; Zheng, Xiaolin

2012-06-13

Vertical silicon nanowire (SiNW) array devices directly connected on both sides to metallic contacts were fabricated on various non-Si-based substrates (e.g., glass, plastics, and metal foils) in order to fully exploit the nanomaterial properties for final applications. The devices were realized with uniform length Ag-assisted electroless etched SiNW arrays that were detached from their fabrication substrate, typically Si wafers, reattached to arbitrary substrates, and formed with metallic contacts on both sides of the NW array. Electrical characterization of the SiNW array devices exhibits good current-voltage characteristics consistent with the SiNW morphology.

Synchrotron emission from nanowire array targets irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez, B.; d’Humières, E.; Gremillet, L.

2018-07-01

We present a numerical study, based on two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, of the synchrotron emission induced during the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses of intensities I = 1021–1023 W cm‑2 with nanowire arrays. Through an extensive parametric scan on the target parameters, we identify and characterize several dominant radiation mechanisms, mainly depending on the transparency or opacity of the plasma produced by the wire expansion. At I = 1022 W m‑2, the emission of high-energy (>10 keV) photons attains a maximum conversion efficiency of ∼10% for 36–50 nm wire widths and 1 μm interspacing. This maximum radiation yield is found to be similar to that achieved in a uniform plasma of same average (sub-solid) density, but nanowire arrays provide efficient radiation sources over a broader parameter range. Moreover, we examine the variations of the photon spectra with the laser intensity and the wire material, and we demonstrate that the radiation efficiency can be further enhanced by adding a plasma mirror at the backside of the nanowire array. Finally, we briefly consider the influence of a finite laser focal spot and oblique incidence angle.

Energy penetration into arrays of aligned nanowires irradiated with relativistic intensities: Scaling to terabar pressures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bargsten, Clayton; Hollinger, Reed; Capeluto, Maria Gabriela

Ultrahigh-energy density (UHED) matter, characterized by energy densities >1 × 10 8 J cm –3 and pressures greater than a gigabar, is encountered in the center of stars and inertial confinement fusion capsules driven by the world’s largest lasers. Similar conditions can be obtained with compact, ultrahigh contrast, femtosecond lasers focused to relativistic intensities onto targets composed of aligned nanowire arrays. We report the measurement of the key physical process in determining the energy density deposited in high-aspect-ratio nanowire array plasmas: the energy penetration. By monitoring the x-ray emission from buried Co tracer segments in Ni nanowire arrays irradiated atmore » an intensity of 4 × 10 19 W cm –2, we demonstrate energy penetration depths of several micrometers, leading to UHED plasmas of that size. As a result, relativistic three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, validated by these measurements, predict that irradiation of nanostructures at intensities of >1 × 10 22 W cm –2 will lead to a virtually unexplored extreme UHED plasma regime characterized by energy densities in excess of 8 × 10 10 J cm –3, equivalent to a pressure of 0.35 Tbar.« less

Energy Penetration into Arrays of Aligned Nanowires Irradiated with Relativistic Intensities: Scaling to Terabar Pressures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bargsten, Clayton; Hollinger, Reed; Capeluto, Maria Gabriela

Ultra-high-energy-density (UHED) matter, characterized by energy densities > 1 x 10 8 J cm -3 and pressures greater than a gigabar, is encountered in the center of stars and in inertial confinement fusion capsules driven by the world’s largest lasers. Similar conditions can be obtained with compact, ultra-high contrast, femtosecond lasers focused to relativistic intensities onto targets composed of aligned nanowire arrays. Here we report the measurement of the key physical process in determining the energy density deposited in high aspect ratio nanowire array plasmas: the energy penetration. By monitoring the x-ray emission from buried Co tracer segments in Nimore » nanowire arrays irradiated at an intensity of 4 x 10 19 W cm -2, we demonstrate energy penetration depths of several μm, leading to UHED plasmas of that size. Relativistic 3D particle-in-cell-simulations, validated by these measurements, predict that irradiation of nanostructures at intensities of > 1 x 10 22 W cm -2 will lead to a virtually unexplored extreme UHED plasma regime characterized by energy densities in excess of 8 x 10 10 J cm -3, equivalent to a pressure of 0.35 Tbar.« less

Energy penetration into arrays of aligned nanowires irradiated with relativistic intensities: Scaling to terabar pressures

DOE PAGES

Bargsten, Clayton; Hollinger, Reed; Capeluto, Maria Gabriela; ...

2017-01-11

Ultrahigh-energy density (UHED) matter, characterized by energy densities >1 × 10 8 J cm –3 and pressures greater than a gigabar, is encountered in the center of stars and inertial confinement fusion capsules driven by the world’s largest lasers. Similar conditions can be obtained with compact, ultrahigh contrast, femtosecond lasers focused to relativistic intensities onto targets composed of aligned nanowire arrays. We report the measurement of the key physical process in determining the energy density deposited in high-aspect-ratio nanowire array plasmas: the energy penetration. By monitoring the x-ray emission from buried Co tracer segments in Ni nanowire arrays irradiated atmore » an intensity of 4 × 10 19 W cm –2, we demonstrate energy penetration depths of several micrometers, leading to UHED plasmas of that size. As a result, relativistic three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, validated by these measurements, predict that irradiation of nanostructures at intensities of >1 × 10 22 W cm –2 will lead to a virtually unexplored extreme UHED plasma regime characterized by energy densities in excess of 8 × 10 10 J cm –3, equivalent to a pressure of 0.35 Tbar.« less

Plasma nitriding induced growth of Pt-nanowire arrays as high performance electrocatalysts for fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Shangfeng; Lin, Kaijie; Malladi, Sairam K.; Lu, Yaxiang; Sun, Shuhui; Xu, Qiang; Steinberger-Wilckens, Robert; Dong, Hanshan

2014-09-01

In this work, we demonstrate an innovative approach, combing a novel active screen plasma (ASP) technique with green chemical synthesis, for a direct fabrication of uniform Pt nanowire arrays on large-area supports. The ASP treatment enables in-situ N-doping and surface modification to the support surface, significantly promoting the uniform growth of tiny Pt nuclei which directs the growth of ultrathin single-crystal Pt nanowire (2.5-3 nm in diameter) arrays, forming a three-dimensional (3D) nano-architecture. Pt nanowire arrays in-situ grown on the large-area gas diffusion layer (GDL) (5 cm2) can be directly used as the catalyst electrode in fuel cells. The unique design brings in an extremely thin electrocatalyst layer, facilitating the charge transfer and mass transfer properties, leading to over two times higher power density than the conventional Pt nanoparticle catalyst electrode in real fuel cell environment. Due to the similar challenges faced with other nanostructures and the high availability of ASP for other material surfaces, this work will provide valuable insights and guidance towards the development of other new nano-architectures for various practical applications.

Energy penetration into arrays of aligned nanowires irradiated with relativistic intensities: Scaling to terabar pressures.

PubMed

Bargsten, Clayton; Hollinger, Reed; Capeluto, Maria Gabriela; Kaymak, Vural; Pukhov, Alexander; Wang, Shoujun; Rockwood, Alex; Wang, Yong; Keiss, David; Tommasini, Riccardo; London, Richard; Park, Jaebum; Busquet, Michel; Klapisch, Marcel; Shlyaptsev, Vyacheslav N; Rocca, Jorge J

2017-01-01

Ultrahigh-energy density (UHED) matter, characterized by energy densities >1 × 10 8 J cm -3 and pressures greater than a gigabar, is encountered in the center of stars and inertial confinement fusion capsules driven by the world's largest lasers. Similar conditions can be obtained with compact, ultrahigh contrast, femtosecond lasers focused to relativistic intensities onto targets composed of aligned nanowire arrays. We report the measurement of the key physical process in determining the energy density deposited in high-aspect-ratio nanowire array plasmas: the energy penetration. By monitoring the x-ray emission from buried Co tracer segments in Ni nanowire arrays irradiated at an intensity of 4 × 10 19 W cm -2 , we demonstrate energy penetration depths of several micrometers, leading to UHED plasmas of that size. Relativistic three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, validated by these measurements, predict that irradiation of nanostructures at intensities of >1 × 10 22 W cm -2 will lead to a virtually unexplored extreme UHED plasma regime characterized by energy densities in excess of 8 × 10 10 J cm -3 , equivalent to a pressure of 0.35 Tbar.

High-quality metal oxide core/shell nanowire arrays on conductive substrates for electrochemical energy storage.

PubMed

Xia, Xinhui; Tu, Jiangping; Zhang, Yongqi; Wang, Xiuli; Gu, Changdong; Zhao, Xin-Bing; Fan, Hong Jin

2012-06-26

The high performance of a pseudocapacitor electrode relies largely on a scrupulous design of nanoarchitectures and smart hybridization of bespoke active materials. We present a powerful two-step solution-based method for the fabrication of transition metal oxide core/shell nanostructure arrays on various conductive substrates. Demonstrated examples include Co(3)O(4) or ZnO nanowire core and NiO nanoflake shells with a hierarchical and porous morphology. The "oriented attachment" and "self-assembly" crystal growth mechanisms are proposed to explain the formation of the NiO nanoflake shell. Supercapacitor electrodes based on the Co(3)O(4)/NiO nanowire arrays on 3D macroporous nickel foam are thoroughly characterized. The electrodes exhibit a high specific capacitance of 853 F/g at 2 A/g after 6000 cycles and an excellent cycling stability, owing to the unique porous core/shell nanowire array architecture, and a rational combination of two electrochemically active materials. Our growth approach offers a new technique for the design and synthesis of transition metal oxide or hydroxide hierarchical nanoarrays that are promising for electrochemical energy storage, catalysis, and gas sensing applications.

Energy penetration into arrays of aligned nanowires irradiated with relativistic intensities: Scaling to terabar pressures

PubMed Central

Bargsten, Clayton; Hollinger, Reed; Capeluto, Maria Gabriela; Kaymak, Vural; Pukhov, Alexander; Wang, Shoujun; Rockwood, Alex; Wang, Yong; Keiss, David; Tommasini, Riccardo; London, Richard; Park, Jaebum; Busquet, Michel; Klapisch, Marcel; Shlyaptsev, Vyacheslav N.; Rocca, Jorge J.

2017-01-01

Ultrahigh-energy density (UHED) matter, characterized by energy densities >1 × 108 J cm−3 and pressures greater than a gigabar, is encountered in the center of stars and inertial confinement fusion capsules driven by the world’s largest lasers. Similar conditions can be obtained with compact, ultrahigh contrast, femtosecond lasers focused to relativistic intensities onto targets composed of aligned nanowire arrays. We report the measurement of the key physical process in determining the energy density deposited in high-aspect-ratio nanowire array plasmas: the energy penetration. By monitoring the x-ray emission from buried Co tracer segments in Ni nanowire arrays irradiated at an intensity of 4 × 1019 W cm−2, we demonstrate energy penetration depths of several micrometers, leading to UHED plasmas of that size. Relativistic three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, validated by these measurements, predict that irradiation of nanostructures at intensities of >1 × 1022 W cm−2 will lead to a virtually unexplored extreme UHED plasma regime characterized by energy densities in excess of 8 × 1010 J cm−3, equivalent to a pressure of 0.35 Tbar. PMID:28097218

Electrochemical properties of high-power supercapacitors using ordered NiO coated Si nanowire array electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Fang; Qiu, Mengchun; Qi, Xiang; Yang, Liwen; Yin, Jinjie; Hao, Guolin; Feng, Xiang; Li, Jun; Zhong, Jianxin

2011-08-01

Highly ordered NiO coated Si nanowire arrays are fabricated as electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors (ES) via depositing Ni on electroless-etched Si nanowires and subsequently annealing. The electrochemical tests reveal that the constructed electrode has superior electrical conductibility and more active sites per unit area for chemical reaction processes, thereby possessing good cycle stability, high specific capacity, and low internal resistance. The specific capacity is up to 787.5 F g-1 at a discharge current of 2.5 mA and decreases slightly with 4.039% loss after 500 cycles, while the equivalent internal resistance is ˜3.067 Ω. Owing to its favorable electrochemical performance, this ordered hybrid array nanostructure is a promising electrode material in future commercial ES.

Controllable fabrication of ultrafine oblique organic nanowire arrays and their application in energy harvesting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lu; Cheng, Li; Bai, Suo; Su, Chen; Chen, Xiaobo; Qin, Yong

2015-01-01

Ultrafine organic nanowire arrays (ONWAs) with a controlled direction were successfully fabricated by a novel one-step Faraday cage assisted plasma etching method. The mechanism of formation of nanowire arrays is proposed; the obliquity and aspect ratio can be accurately controlled from approximately 0° to 90° via adjusting the angle of the sample and the etching time, respectively. In addition, the ONWAs were further utilized to improve the output of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Compared with the output of TENG composed of vertical ONWAs, the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and inductive charges were improved by 73%, 150% and 98%, respectively. This research provides a convenient and practical method to fabricate ONWAs with various obliquities on different materials, which can be used for energy harvesting.

Controllable fabrication of ultrafine oblique organic nanowire arrays and their application in energy harvesting.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu; Cheng, Li; Bai, Suo; Su, Chen; Chen, Xiaobo; Qin, Yong

2015-01-28

Ultrafine organic nanowire arrays (ONWAs) with a controlled direction were successfully fabricated by a novel one-step Faraday cage assisted plasma etching method. The mechanism of formation of nanowire arrays is proposed; the obliquity and aspect ratio can be accurately controlled from approximately 0° to 90° via adjusting the angle of the sample and the etching time, respectively. In addition, the ONWAs were further utilized to improve the output of the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Compared with the output of TENG composed of vertical ONWAs, the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current and inductive charges were improved by 73%, 150% and 98%, respectively. This research provides a convenient and practical method to fabricate ONWAs with various obliquities on different materials, which can be used for energy harvesting.

Optical absorption enhancement in silicon nanowire arrays with a large lattice constant for photovoltaic applications.

PubMed

Lin, Chenxi; Povinelli, Michelle L

2009-10-26

In this paper, we use the transfer matrix method to calculate the optical absorptance of vertically-aligned silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays. For fixed filling ratio, significant optical absorption enhancement occurs when the lattice constant is increased from 100 nm to 600 nm. The enhancement arises from an increase in field concentration within the nanowire as well as excitation of guided resonance modes. We quantify the absorption enhancement in terms of ultimate efficiency. Results show that an optimized SiNW array with lattice constant of 600 nm and wire diameter of 540 nm has a 72.4% higher ultimate efficiency than a Si thin film of equal thickness. The enhancement effect can be maintained over a large range of incidence angles.

Directed assembly of gold nanowires on silicon via reorganization and simultaneous fusion of randomly distributed gold nanoparticles.

PubMed

Reinhardt, Hendrik M; Bücker, Kerstin; Hampp, Norbert A

2015-05-04

Laser-induced reorganization and simultaneous fusion of nanoparticles is introduced as a versatile concept for pattern formation on surfaces. The process takes advantage of a phenomenon called laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) which originates from periodically alternating photonic fringe patterns in the near-field of solids. Associated photonic fringe patterns are shown to reorganize randomly distributed gold nanoparticles on a silicon wafer into periodic gold nanostructures. Concomitant melting due to optical heating facilitates the formation of continuous structures such as periodic gold nanowire arrays. Generated patterns can be converted into secondary structures using directed assembly or self-organization. This includes for example the rotation of gold nanowire arrays by arbitrary angles or their fragmentation into arrays of aligned gold nanoparticles.

Evaluation of magnetic flux distribution from magnetic domains in [Co/Pd] nanowires by magnetic domain scope method using contact-scanning of tunneling magnetoresistive sensor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Okuda, Mitsunobu, E-mail: okuda.m-ky@nhk.or.jp; Miyamoto, Yasuyoshi; Miyashita, Eiichi

2014-05-07

Current-driven magnetic domain wall motions in magnetic nanowires have attracted great interests for physical studies and engineering applications. The magnetic force microscope (MFM) is widely used for indirect verification of domain locations in nanowires, where relative magnetic force between the local domains and the MFM probe is used for detection. However, there is an occasional problem that the magnetic moments of MFM probe influenced and/or rotated the magnetic states in the low-moment nanowires. To solve this issue, the “magnetic domain scope for wide area with nano-order resolution (nano-MDS)” method has been proposed recently that could detect the magnetic flux distributionmore » from the specimen directly by scanning of tunneling magnetoresistive field sensor. In this study, magnetic domain structure in nanowires was investigated by both MFM and nano-MDS, and the leakage magnetic flux density from the nanowires was measured quantitatively by nano-MDS. Specimen nanowires consisted from [Co (0.3)/Pd (1.2)]{sub 21}/Ru(3) films (units in nm) with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy were fabricated onto Si substrates by dual ion beam sputtering and e-beam lithography. The length and the width of the fabricated nanowires are 20 μm and 150 nm. We have succeeded to obtain not only the remanent domain images with the detection of up and down magnetizations as similar as those by MFM but also magnetic flux density distribution from nanowires directly by nano-MDS. The obtained value of maximum leakage magnetic flux by nano-MDS is in good agreement with that of coercivity by magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy. By changing the protective diamond-like-carbon film thickness on tunneling magnetoresistive sensor, the three-dimensional spatial distribution of leakage magnetic flux could be evaluated.« less

Optoelectrical modeling of solar cells based on c-Si/a-Si:H nanowire array: focus on the electrical transport in between the nanowires.

PubMed

Levtchenko, Alexandra; Le Gall, Sylvain; Lachaume, Raphaël; Michallon, Jérôme; Collin, Stéphane; Alvarez, José; Djebbour, Zakaria; Kleider, Jean-Paul

2018-06-22

By coupling optical and electrical modeling, we have investigated the photovoltaic performances of p-i-n radial nanowires array based on crystalline p-type silicon (c-Si) core/hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) shell. By varying either the doping concentration of the c-Si core, or back contact work function we can separate and highlight the contribution to the cell's performance of the nanowires themselves (the radial cell) from the interspace between the nanowires (the planar cell). We show that the build-in potential (V bi ) in the radial and planar cells strongly depends on the doping of c-Si core and the work function of the back contact respectively. Consequently, the solar cell's performance is degraded if either the doping concentration of the c-Si core, or/and the work function of the back contact is too low. By inserting a thin (p) a-Si:H layer between both core/absorber and back contact/absorber, the performance of the solar cell can be improved by partly fixing the V bi at both interfaces due to strong electrostatic screening effect. Depositing such a buffer layer playing the role of an electrostatic screen for charge carriers is a suggested way of enhancing the performance of solar cells based on radial p-i-n or n-i-p nanowire array.

Optoelectrical modeling of solar cells based on c-Si/a-Si:H nanowire array: focus on the electrical transport in between the nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levtchenko, Alexandra; Le Gall, Sylvain; Lachaume, Raphaël; Michallon, Jérôme; Collin, Stéphane; Alvarez, José; Djebbour, Zakaria; Kleider, Jean-Paul

2018-06-01

By coupling optical and electrical modeling, we have investigated the photovoltaic performances of p-i-n radial nanowires array based on crystalline p-type silicon (c-Si) core/hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) shell. By varying either the doping concentration of the c-Si core, or back contact work function we can separate and highlight the contribution to the cell’s performance of the nanowires themselves (the radial cell) from the interspace between the nanowires (the planar cell). We show that the build-in potential (V bi) in the radial and planar cells strongly depends on the doping of c-Si core and the work function of the back contact respectively. Consequently, the solar cell’s performance is degraded if either the doping concentration of the c-Si core, or/and the work function of the back contact is too low. By inserting a thin (p) a-Si:H layer between both core/absorber and back contact/absorber, the performance of the solar cell can be improved by partly fixing the V bi at both interfaces due to strong electrostatic screening effect. Depositing such a buffer layer playing the role of an electrostatic screen for charge carriers is a suggested way of enhancing the performance of solar cells based on radial p-i-n or n-i-p nanowire array.

Understanding InP Nanowire Array Solar Cell Performance by Nanoprobe-Enabled Single Nanowire Measurements.

PubMed

Otnes, Gaute; Barrigón, Enrique; Sundvall, Christian; Svensson, K Erik; Heurlin, Magnus; Siefer, Gerald; Samuelson, Lars; Åberg, Ingvar; Borgström, Magnus T

2018-05-09

III-V solar cells in the nanowire geometry might hold significant synthesis-cost and device-design advantages as compared to thin films and have shown impressive performance improvements in recent years. To continue this development there is a need for characterization techniques giving quick and reliable feedback for growth development. Further, characterization techniques which can improve understanding of the link between nanowire growth conditions, subsequent processing, and solar cell performance are desired. Here, we present the use of a nanoprobe system inside a scanning electron microscope to efficiently contact single nanowires and characterize them in terms of key parameters for solar cell performance. Specifically, we study single as-grown InP nanowires and use electron beam induced current characterization to understand the charge carrier collection properties, and dark current-voltage characteristics to understand the diode recombination characteristics. By correlating the single nanowire measurements to performance of fully processed nanowire array solar cells, we identify how the performance limiting parameters are related to growth and/or processing conditions. We use this understanding to achieve a more than 7-fold improvement in efficiency of our InP nanowire solar cells, grown from a different seed particle pattern than previously reported from our group. The best cell shows a certified efficiency of 15.0%; the highest reported value for a bottom-up synthesized InP nanowire solar cell. We believe the presented approach have significant potential to speed-up the development of nanowire solar cells, as well as other nanowire-based electronic/optoelectronic devices.

Synchrotron studies of top-down grown silicon nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turishchev, S. Yu.; Parinova, E. V.; Nesterov, D. N.; Koyuda, D. A.; Sivakov, V.; Schleusener, A.; Terekhov, V. A.

2018-06-01

Morphology of the top-down grown silicon nanowires obtained by metal-assisted wet-chemical approach on silicon substrates with different resistance were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Obtained arrays of compact grown Si nanowires were a subject for the high resolution electronic structures studies by X-ray absorption near edge structure technique performed with the usage of high intensity synchrotron radiation of the SRC storage ring of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The different oxidation rates were found by investigation of silicon atoms local surrounding specificity of the highly developed surface and near surface layer that is not exceeded 70 nm. Flexibility of the wires arrays surface morphology and its composition is demonstrated allowing smoothly form necessary surface oxidation rate and using Si nanowires as a useful matrixes for a wide range of further functionalization.

Facile synthesis of silicon nanowire-nanopillar superhydrophobic structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Abhijit; Satpati, Biswarup

2018-04-01

We have used metal assisted chemical etching (MACE) method to produce silicon (Si) nanowire-nanopillar array. Nanowire-nanopillar combined structures show higher degree of hydrophobicity compared to its nanowire (Si-NW) counterparts. The rate of etching is depended on initial metal deposition. The structural analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in combination with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine different parameters like etching direction, crystallinity etc.

High-density defects on PdAg nanowire networks as catalytic hot spots for efficient dehydrogenation of formic acid and reduction of nitrate.

PubMed

Liu, Hu; Yu, Yongsheng; Yang, Weiwei; Lei, Wenjuan; Gao, Manyi; Guo, Shaojun

2017-07-13

Controlling the surface defects of nanocrystals is a new way of tuning/boosting their catalytic properties. Herein, we report networked PdAg nanowires (NWs) with high-density defects as catalytic hot spots for efficient catalytic dehydrogenation of formic acid (FA) and catalytic reduction of nitrates. The networked PdAg NWs exhibit composition-dependent catalytic activity for the dehydrogenation reaction of FA without any additive, with Pd 5 Ag 5 NWs exhibiting the highest activity. They also show good durability, reflected by the retention of their initial activity during the dehydrogenation reaction of FA even after five cycles. Their initial TOF is 419 h -1 at 60 °C in water solution, much higher than those of the most Pd-based catalysts with a support. Moreover, they can efficiently reduce nitrates to alleviate nitrate pollution in water (conversion yield >99%). This strategy opens up a new green synthetic technique to design support-free heterogeneous catalysts with high-density defects as catalytic hot spots for efficient dehydrogenation catalysis of FA to meet the requirement of fuel cell applications and catalytic reduction of nitrates in water polluted with nitrates.

Interactions between semiconductor nanowires and living cells.

PubMed

Prinz, Christelle N

2015-06-17

Semiconductor nanowires are increasingly used for biological applications and their small dimensions make them a promising tool for sensing and manipulating cells with minimal perturbation. In order to interface cells with nanowires in a controlled fashion, it is essential to understand the interactions between nanowires and living cells. The present paper reviews current progress in the understanding of these interactions, with knowledge gathered from studies where living cells were interfaced with vertical nanowire arrays. The effect of nanowires on cells is reported in terms of viability, cell-nanowire interface morphology, cell behavior, changes in gene expression as well as cellular stress markers. Unexplored issues and unanswered questions are discussed.

Recent advances in superconducting nanowire single photon detectors for single-photon imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, V. B.; Allman, M. S.; Stevens, M.; Gerrits, T.; Horansky, R. D.; Lita, A. E.; Marsili, F.; Beyer, A.; Shaw, M. D.; Stern, J. A.; Mirin, R. P.; Nam, S. W.

2016-05-01

We demonstrate a 64-pixel free-space-coupled array of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors optimized for high detection efficiency in the near-infrared range. An integrated, readily scalable, multiplexed readout scheme is employed to reduce the number of readout lines to 16. The cryogenic, optical, and electronic packaging to read out the array, as well as characterization measurements are discussed.

Vertically building Zn2SnO4 nanowire arrays on stainless steel mesh toward fabrication of large-area, flexible dye-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Li, Zhengdao; Zhou, Yong; Bao, Chunxiong; Xue, Guogang; Zhang, Jiyuan; Liu, Jianguo; Yu, Tao; Zou, Zhigang

2012-06-07

Zn(2)SnO(4) nanowire arrays were for the first time grown onto a stainless steel mesh (SSM) in a binary ethylenediamine (En)/water solvent system using a solvothermal route. The morphology evolution following this reaction was carefully followed to understand the formation mechanism. The SSM-supported Zn(2)SnO(4) nanowire was utilized as a photoanode for fabrication of large-area (10 cm × 5 cm size as a typical sample), flexible dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The synthesized Zn(2)SnO(4) nanowires exhibit great bendability and flexibility, proving potential advantage over other metal oxide nanowires such as TiO(2), ZnO, and SnO(2) for application in flexible solar cells. Relative to the analogous Zn(2)SnO(4) nanoparticle-based flexible DSSCs, the nanowire geometry proves to enhance solar energy conversion efficiency through enhancement of electron transport. The bendable nature of the DSSCs without obvious degradation of efficiency and facile scale up gives the as-made flexible solar cell device potential for practical application.

Tailoring the morphology and luminescence of GaN/InGaN core-shell nanowires using bottom-up selective-area epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nami, Mohsen; Eller, Rhett F.; Okur, Serdal; Rishinaramangalam, Ashwin K.; Liu, Sheng; Brener, Igal; Feezell, Daniel F.

2017-01-01

Controlled bottom-up selective-area epitaxy (SAE) is used to tailor the morphology and photoluminescence properties of GaN/InGaN core-shell nanowire arrays. The nanowires are grown on c-plane sapphire substrates using pulsed-mode metal organic chemical vapor deposition. By varying the dielectric mask configuration and growth conditions, we achieve GaN nanowire cores with diameters ranging from 80 to 700 nm that exhibit various degrees of polar, semipolar, and nonpolar faceting. A single InGaN quantum well (QW) and GaN barrier shell is also grown on the GaN nanowire cores and micro-photoluminescence is obtained and analyzed for a variety of nanowire dimensions, array pitch spacings, and aperture diameters. By increasing the nanowire pitch spacing on the same growth wafer, the emission wavelength redshifts from 440 to 520 nm, while increasing the aperture diameter results in a ˜35 nm blueshift. The thickness of one QW/barrier period as a function of pitch and aperture diameter is inferred using scanning electron microscopy, with larger pitches showing significantly thicker QWs. Significant increases in indium composition were predicted for larger pitches and smaller aperture diameters. The results are interpreted in terms of local growth conditions and adatom capture radius around the nanowires. This work provides significant insight into the effects of mask configuration and growth conditions on the nanowire properties and is applicable to the engineering of monolithic multi-color nanowire LEDs on a single chip.

Simple Analytic Model for Nanowire Array Polarizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelletier, Vincent; Asakawa, Koji; Wu, Mingshaw; Register, Richard; Chaikin, Paul

2006-03-01

Cylinder-forming diblock copolymers can be used to pattern nanowire arrays on a transparent substrate to be used as a polarizer, as described by Koji Asakawa in a complementary talk at this meeting. With a 33nm period, these wire arrays can polarize UV radiation, which is of great interest in lithography, astronomy and other areas. One can gain an analytical understanding of such an array made of non-perfectly conducting material of finite thickness using a model with an appropriately averaged complex dielectric function in an infinite wavelength approximation. This analysis predicts that the grid can go from an E-polarizer to an H-polarizer as the wavelength decreases below a cross-over wavelength, and experimental data confirm this cross-over. The overall response of the polarizing grid depends primarily on the plasma frequency of the metal used and the volume fraction of the nanowires, as well as the grid thickness. A numerical approach is also used to confirm the analytical model and assess departure from infinite wavelength effects. For our array dimensions, the polarization is only slightly different from this approximation for wavelengths down to 150nm.

Material-Independent Nanotransfer onto a Flexible Substrate Using Mechanical-Interlocking Structure.

PubMed

Seo, Min-Ho; Choi, Seon-Jin; Park, Sang Hyun; Yoo, Jae-Young; Lim, Sung Kyu; Lee, Jae-Shin; Choi, Kwang-Wook; Jo, Min-Seung; Kim, Il-Doo; Yoon, Jun-Bo

2018-05-22

Nanowire-transfer technology has received much attention thanks to its capability to fabricate high-performance flexible nanodevices with high simplicity and throughput. However, it is still challenging to extend the conventional nanowire-transfer method to the fabrication of a wide range of devices since a chemical-adhesion-based nanowire-transfer mechanism is complex and time-consuming, hindering successful transfer of diverse nanowires made of various materials. Here, we introduce a material-independent mechanical-interlocking-based nanowire-transfer (MINT) method, fabricating ultralong and fully aligned nanowires on a large flexible substrate (2.5 × 2 cm 2 ) in a highly robust manner. For the material-independent nanotransfer, we developed a mechanics-based nanotransfer method, which employs a dry-removable amorphous carbon (a-C) sacrificial layer between a vacuum-deposited nanowire and the underlying master mold. The controlled etching of the sacrificial layer enables the formation of a mechanical-interlocking structure under the nanowire, facilitating peeling off of the nanowire from the master mold robustly and reliably. Using the developed MINT method, we successfully fabricated various metallic and semiconductor nanowire arrays on flexible substrates. We further demonstrated that the developed method is well suited to the reliable fabrication of highly flexible and high-performance nanoelectronic devices. As examples, a fully aligned gold (Au) microheater array exhibited high bending stability (10 6 cycling) and ultrafast (∼220 ms) heating operation up to ∼100 °C. An ultralong Au heater-embedded cuprous-oxide (Cu 2 O) nanowire chemical gas sensor showed significantly improved reversible reaction kinetics toward NO 2 with 10-fold enhancement in sensitivity at 100 °C.

In situ probing of the active site geometry of ultrathin nanowires for the oxygen reduction reaction

DOE PAGES

Liu, Haiqing; Wong, Stanislaus S.; An, Wei; ...

2015-09-24

To create truly effective electrocatalysts for the cathodic reaction governing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), namely the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), necessitates an accurate and detailed structural understanding of these electrocatalysts, especially at the nanoscale, and to precisely correlate that structure with demonstrable performance enhancement. To address this key issue, we have combined and interwoven theoretical calculations with experimental, spectroscopic observations in order to acquire useful structural insights into the active site geometry with implications for designing optimized nanoscale electrocatalysts with rationally predicted properties. Specifically, we have probed ultrathin (~2 nm) core–shell Pt~Pd 9Au nanowires, which have been previouslymore » shown to be excellent candidates for ORR in terms of both activity and long-term stability, from the complementary perspectives of both DFT calculations and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The combination and correlation of data from both experimental and theoretical studies has revealed for the first time that the catalytically active structure of our ternary nanowires can actually be ascribed to a PtAu~Pd configuration, comprising a PtAu binary shell and a pure inner Pd core. Moreover, we have plausibly attributed the resulting structure to a specific synthesis step, namely the Cu underpotential deposition (UPD) followed by galvanic replacement with Pt. Thus, the fundamental insights gained into the performance of our ultrathin nanowires from our demonstrated approach will likely guide future directed efforts aimed at broadly improving upon the durability and stability of nanoscale electrocatalysts in general.« less

Interactions and reversal-field memory in complex magnetic nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rotaru, Aurelian; Lim, Jin-Hee; Lenormand, Denny; Diaconu, Andrei; Wiley, John. B.; Postolache, Petronel; Stancu, Alexandru; Spinu, Leonard

2011-10-01

Interactions and magnetization reversal of Ni nanowire arrays have been investigated by the first-order reversal curve (FORC) method. Several series of samples with controlled spatial distribution were considered including simple wires of different lengths and diameters (70 and 110 nm) and complex wires with a single modulated diameter along their length. Subtle features of magnetic interactions are revealed through a quantitative analysis of the local interaction field profile distributions obtained from the FORC method. In addition, the FORC analysis indicates that the nanowire systems with a mean diameter of 70 nm appear to be organized in symmetric clusters indicative of a reversal-field memory effect.

Why self-catalyzed nanowires are most suitable for large-scale hierarchical integrated designs of nanowire nanoelectronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noor Mohammad, S.

2011-10-01

Nanowires are grown by a variety of mechanisms, including vapor-liquid-solid, vapor-quasiliquid-solid or vapor-quasisolid-solid, oxide-assisted growth, and self-catalytic growth (SCG) mechanisms. A critical analysis of the suitability of self-catalyzed nanowires, as compared to other nanowires, for next-generation technology development has been carried out. Basic causes of superiority of self-catalyzed (SCG) nanowires over other nanowires have been described. Polytypism in nanowires has been studied, and a model for polytypism has been proposed. The model predicts polytypism in good agreement with available experiments. This model, together with various evidences, demonstrates lower defects, dislocations, and stacking faults in SCG nanowires, as compared to those in other nanowires. Calculations of carrier mobility due to dislocation scattering, ionized impurity scattering, and acoustic phonon scattering explain the impact of defects, dislocations, and stacking faults on carrier transports in SCG and other nanowires. Analyses of growth mechanisms for nanowire growth directions indicate SCG nanowires to exhibit the most controlled growth directions. In-depth investigation uncovers the fundamental physics underlying the control of growth direction by the SCG mechanism. Self-organization of nanowires in large hierarchical arrays is crucial for ultra large-scale integration (ULSI). Unique features and advantages of self-organized SCG nanowires, unlike other nanowires, for this ULSI have been discussed. Investigations of nanowire dimension indicate self-catalyzed nanowires to have better control of dimension, higher stability, and higher probability, even for thinner structures. Theoretical calculations show that self-catalyzed nanowires, unlike catalyst-mediated nanowires, can have higher growth rate and lower growth temperature. Nanowire and nanotube characteristics have been found also to dictate the performance of nanoelectromechanical systems. Defects, such as stacking faults, dislocations, and nanopipes, which are common in catalyst-mediated nanowires and nanotubes, adversely affect the efficiency of nanowire (nanotube) nanoelectro-mechanical devices. The influence of seed-to-seed distance and collection area radius on the self-catalyzed, self-aligned nanowire growths in large arrays of seeds has been examined. A hypothesis has been presented for this. The present results are in good agreement with experiments. These results suggest that the SCG nanowires are perhaps the best vehicles for revolutionary advancement of tomorrow's nanotechnology.

Near Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) of Nano Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

FEATURES OF GaN NANOWIRES Gallium Nitride (GaN) nanowires are semiconductor wires of great interest lately for its some of its unique properties. These...via chemical vapour deposition (CVD) [19] or even with gas source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) [20] The GaN nanowires growth techniques will not be...Denlinger, and Peidong Yang, Crystallographic alignment of high-density gallium nitride nanowire arrays, Nature Materials, Issue 3 Vol 8, pg 524

GaN Nanowire Arrays for Efficient Optical Read-Out and Optoelectronic Control of NV Centers in Diamond.

PubMed

Hetzl, Martin; Wierzbowski, Jakob; Hoffmann, Theresa; Kraut, Max; Zuerbig, Verena; Nebel, Christoph E; Müller, Kai; Finley, Jonathan J; Stutzmann, Martin

2018-06-13

Solid-state quantum emitters embedded in a semiconductor crystal environment are potentially scalable platforms for quantum optical networks operated at room temperature. Prominent representatives are nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond showing coherent entanglement and interference with each other. However, these emitters suffer from inefficient optical outcoupling from the diamond and from fluctuations of their charge state. Here, we demonstrate the implementation of regular n-type gallium nitride nanowire arrays on diamond as photonic waveguides to tailor the emission direction of surface-near NV centers and to electrically control their charge state in a p-i-n nanodiode. We show that the electrical excitation of single NV centers in such a diode can efficiently replace optical pumping. By the engineering of the array parameters, we find an optical read-out efficiency enhanced by a factor of 10 and predict a lateral NV-NV coupling 3 orders of magnitude stronger through evanescently coupled nanowire antennas compared to planar diamond not covered by nanowires, which opens up new possibilities for large-scale on-chip quantum-computing applications.

Accelerating Palladium Nanowire H2 Sensors Using Engineered Nanofiltration.

PubMed

Koo, Won-Tae; Qiao, Shaopeng; Ogata, Alana F; Jha, Gaurav; Jang, Ji-Soo; Chen, Vivian T; Kim, Il-Doo; Penner, Reginald M

2017-09-26

The oxygen, O 2 , in air interferes with the detection of H 2 by palladium (Pd)-based H 2 sensors, including Pd nanowires (NWs), depressing the sensitivity and retarding the response/recovery speed in air-relative to N 2 or Ar. Here, we describe the preparation of H 2 sensors in which a nanofiltration layer consisting of a Zn metal-organic framework (MOF) is assembled onto Pd NWs. Polyhedron particles of Zn-based zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-8) were synthesized on lithographically patterned Pd NWs, leading to the creation of ZIF-8/Pd NW bilayered H 2 sensors. The ZIF-8 filter has many micropores (0.34 nm for gas diffusion) which allows for the predominant penetration of hydrogen molecules with a kinetic diameter of 0.289 nm, whereas relatively larger gas molecules including oxygen (0.345 nm) and nitrogen (0.364 nm) in air are effectively screened, resulting in superior hydrogen sensing properties. Very importantly, the Pd NWs filtered by ZIF-8 membrane (Pd NWs@ZIF-8) reduced the H 2 response amplitude slightly (ΔR/R 0 = 3.5% to 1% of H 2 versus 5.9% for Pd NWs) and showed 20-fold faster recovery (7 s to 1% of H 2 ) and response (10 s to 1% of H 2 ) speed compared to that of pristine Pd NWs (164 s for response and 229 s for recovery to 1% of H 2 ). These outstanding results, which are mainly attributed to the molecular sieving and acceleration effect of ZIF-8 covered on Pd NWs, rank highest in H 2 sensing speed among room-temperature Pd-based H 2 sensors.

Electrodeposition of Rhodium Nanowires Arrays and Their Morphology-Dependent Hydrogen Evolution Activity

PubMed Central

Zhang, Liqiu; Liu, Lichun; Wang, Hongdan; Shen, Hongxia; Cheng, Qiong; Yan, Chao; Park, Sungho

2017-01-01

This work reports on the electrodeposition of rhodium (Rh) nanowires with a controlled surface morphology synthesized using an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. Vertically aligned Rh nanowires with a smooth and coarse morphology were successfully deposited by adjusting the electrode potential and the concentration of precursor ions and by involving a complexing reagent in the electrolyte solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses were used to follow the morphological evolution of Rh nanowires. As a heterogeneous electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), the coarse Rh nanowire array exhibited an enhanced catalytic performance respect to smooth ones due to the larger surface area to mass ratio and the higher density of catalytically active defects, as evidenced by voltammetric measurements and TEM. Results suggest that the morphology of metallic nanomaterials could be readily engineered by electrodeposition. The controlled electrodeposition offers great potential for the development of an effective synthesis tool for heterogeneous catalysts with a superior performance for wide applications. PMID:28467375

Flexible Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on Vertical ZnO Nanowire Arrays

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Flexible dye-sensitized solar cells are fabricated using vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays that are transferred onto ITO-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrates using a simple peel-off process. The solar cells demonstrate an energy conversion efficiency of 0.44% with good bending tolerance. This technique paves a new route for building large-scale cost-effective flexible photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices. PMID:27502660

Energy Density in Aligned Nanowire Arrays Irradiated with Relativistic Intensities: Path to Terabar Pressure Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocca, J.; Bargsten, C.; Hollinger, R.; Shylaptsev, V.; Wang, S.; Rockwood, A.; Wang, Y.; Keiss, D.; Capeluto, M.; Kaymak, V.; Pukhov, A.; Tommasini, R.; London, R.; Park, J.

2016-10-01

Ultra-high-energy-density (UHED) plasmas, characterized by energy densities >1 x 108 J cm-3 and pressures greater than a gigabar are encountered in the center of stars and in inertial confinement fusion capsules driven by the world's largest lasers. Similar conditions can be obtained with compact, ultra-high contrast, femtosecond lasers focused to relativistic intensities onto aligned nanowire array targets. Here we report the measurement of the key physical process in determining the energy density deposited in high aspect ratio nanowire array plasmas: the energy penetration. By monitoring the x-ray emission from buried Co tracer segments in Ni nanowire arrays irradiated at an intensity of 4 x 1019 W cm-2, we demonstrate energy penetration depths of several μm, leading to UHED plasmas of that size. Relativistic 3D particle-in-cell-simulations validated by these measurements predict that irradiation of nanostructures at increased intensity will lead to a virtually unexplored extreme UHED plasma regime characterized by energy densities in excess of 8 x 1010 J cm-3, equivalent to a pressure of 0.35 Tbar. This work was supported by the Fusion Energy Program, Office of Science of the U.S Department of Energy, and by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Three-dimensional TiO2 nanowire@NiMoO4 ultrathin nanosheet core-shell arrays for lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Minglei; Bu, Yi; Lv, Xiaowei; Jiang, Xingxing; Wang, Lichuan; Dai, Sirui; Wang, Mingkui; Shen, Yan

2018-03-01

This study reports a general and rational two-step hydrothermal strategy to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) TiO2 nanowire@NiMoO4 ultrathin nanosheet core-shell arrays (TNAs-NMO) as additives-free anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The TNAs-NMO electrode delivers a reversible capacity of up to 446.6 mA h g-1 over 120 cycles at the current density of 0.2 A g-1 and a high rate capacity of 234.2 mA h g-1 at 2.0 A g-1. Impressively, the capacity retention efficiency is 74.7% after 2500 cycles at the high rate of 2.0 A g-1. In addition, the full cell consisting of TNAs-NMO anode and LCO cathode can afford a specific energy of up to 220.3 W h kg-1 (based on the entire mass of both electrodes). The high electrochemical performance of the TNAs-NMO electrode is ascribed to its 3D core-shell nanowire array architecture, in which the TiO2 nanowire arrays (TNAs) and the ultrathin NiMoO4 nanosheets exhibit strong synergistic effects. The TNAs maintain mechanical integrity of the electrode and the ultrathin NiMoO4 nanosheets contribute to high capacity and favorable electronic conductivity.

Alignment control and atomically-scaled heteroepitaxial interface study of GaN nanowires.

PubMed

Liu, Qingyun; Liu, Baodan; Yang, Wenjin; Yang, Bing; Zhang, Xinglai; Labbé, Christophe; Portier, Xavier; An, Vladimir; Jiang, Xin

2017-04-20

Well-aligned GaN nanowires are promising candidates for building high-performance optoelectronic nanodevices. In this work, we demonstrate the epitaxial growth of well-aligned GaN nanowires on a [0001]-oriented sapphire substrate in a simple catalyst-assisted chemical vapor deposition process and their alignment control. It is found that the ammonia flux plays a key role in dominating the initial nucleation of GaN nanocrystals and their orientation. Typically, significant improvement of the GaN nanowire alignment can be realized at a low NH 3 flow rate. X-ray diffraction and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy studies further verified the preferential orientation of GaN nanowires along the [0001] direction. The growth mechanism of GaN nanowire arrays is also well studied based on cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) characterization and it is observed that GaN nanowires have good epitaxial growth on the sapphire substrate following the crystallographic relationship between (0001) GaN ∥(0001) sapphire and (101[combining macron]0) GaN ∥(112[combining macron]0) sapphire . Most importantly, periodic misfit dislocations are also experimentally observed in the interface region due to the large lattice mismatch between the GaN nanowire and the sapphire substrate, and the formation of such dislocations will favor the release of structural strain in GaN nanowires. HRTEM analysis also finds the existence of "type I" stacking faults and voids inside the GaN nanowires. Optical investigation suggests that the GaN nanowire arrays have strong emission in the UV range, suggesting their crystalline nature and chemical purity. The achievement of aligned GaN nanowires will further promote the wide applications of GaN nanostructures toward diverse high-performance optoelectronic nanodevices including nano-LEDs, photovoltaic cells, photodetectors etc.

Electrically Conductive and Optically Active Porous Silicon Nanowires

PubMed Central

Qu, Yongquan; Liao, Lei; Li, Yujing; Zhang, Hua; Huang, Yu; Duan, Xiangfeng

2009-01-01

We report the synthesis of vertical silicon nanowire array through a two-step metal-assisted chemical etching of highly doped n-type silicon (100) wafers in a solution of hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The morphology of the as-grown silicon nanowires is tunable from solid nonporous nanowires, nonporous/nanoporous core/shell nanowires, and entirely nanoporous nanowires by controlling the hydrogen peroxide concentration in the etching solution. The porous silicon nanowires retain the single crystalline structure and crystallographic orientation of the starting silicon wafer, and are electrically conductive and optically active with visible photoluminescence. The combination of electronic and optical properties in the porous silicon nanowires may provide a platform for the novel optoelectronic devices for energy harvesting, conversion and biosensing. PMID:19807130

Fabrication and optical property of metal nanowire arrays embedded in anodic porous alumina membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takase, Kouichi; Shimizu, Tomohiro; Sugawa, Kosuke; Aono, Takashige; Shirai, Yuma; Nishida, Tomohiko; Shingubara, Shoso

2016-06-01

Nanowires embedded in nanopores are potentially tough against surface scraping and agglomeration. In this study, we have fabricated Au and Ni nanowires embedded into anodic porous alumina (APA) and investigated their reflectance to study the effects of surface plasmon absorption properties and conversion from solar energy to thermal energy. Au nanowires embedded into APA show typical gold surface plasmon absorption at approximately 530 nm. On the other hand, Ni nanowires show quite a low reflectance under 600 nm. In the temperature elevation test, both Au and Ni nanowire samples present the same capability to warm up water. It means that Ni nanowires embedded into APA have almost the same photothermal activity as Au nanowires.

The controlled growth of GaN nanowires.

PubMed

Hersee, Stephen D; Sun, Xinyu; Wang, Xin

2006-08-01

This paper reports a scalable process for the growth of high-quality GaN nanowires and uniform nanowire arrays in which the position and diameter of each nanowire is precisely controlled. The approach is based on conventional metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using regular precursors and requires no additional metal catalyst. The location, orientation, and diameter of each GaN nanowire are controlled using a thin, selective growth mask that is patterned by interferometric lithography. It was found that use of a pulsed MOCVD process allowed the nanowire diameter to remain constant after the nanowires had emerged from the selective growth mask. Vertical GaN nanowire growth rates in excess of 2 mum/h were measured, while remarkably the diameter of each nanowire remained constant over the entire (micrometer) length of the nanowires. The paper reports transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence data.

Low-Dimensional Palladium Nanostructures for Fast and Reliable Hydrogen Gas Detection

PubMed Central

Noh, Jin-Seo; Lee, Jun Min; Lee, Wooyoung

2011-01-01

Palladium (Pd) has received attention as an ideal hydrogen sensor material due to its properties such as high sensitivity and selectivity to hydrogen gas, fast response, and operability at room temperature. Interestingly, various Pd nanostructures that have been realized by recent developments in nanotechnologies are known to show better performance than bulk Pd. This review highlights the characteristic properties, issues, and their possible solutions of hydrogen sensors based on the low-dimensional Pd nanostructures with more emphasis on Pd thin films and Pd nanowires. The finite size effects, relative strengths and weaknesses of the respective Pd nanostructures are discussed in terms of performance, manufacturability, and practical applicability. PMID:22346605

Muscle-driven nanogenerators

DOEpatents

Wang, Zhong L [Marietta, GA; Yang, Rusen [Atlanta, GA

2011-03-01

In a method of generating electricity, a plurality of living cells are grown on an array of piezoelectric nanowires so that the cells engage the piezoelectric nanowires. Induced static potentials are extracted from at least one of the piezoelectric nanowires when at least one of the cells deforms the at least one of the piezoelectric nanowires. A cell-driven electrical generator that includes a substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart piezoelectric nanowires disposed on the substrate. A plurality of spaced-apart conductive electrodes interact with the plurality of piezoelectric nanowires. A biological buffer layer that is configured to promote growth of cells is disposed on the substrate so that cells placed on the substrate will grow and engage the piezoelectric nanowires.

Wafer-scale high-throughput ordered arrays of Si and coaxial Si/Si(1-x)Ge(x) wires: fabrication, characterization, and photovoltaic application.

PubMed

Pan, Caofeng; Luo, Zhixiang; Xu, Chen; Luo, Jun; Liang, Renrong; Zhu, Guang; Wu, Wenzhuo; Guo, Wenxi; Yan, Xingxu; Xu, Jun; Wang, Zhong Lin; Zhu, Jing

2011-08-23

We have developed a method combining lithography and catalytic etching to fabricate large-area (uniform coverage over an entire 5-in. wafer) arrays of vertically aligned single-crystal Si nanowires with high throughput. Coaxial n-Si/p-SiGe wire arrays are also fabricated by further coating single-crystal epitaxial SiGe layers on the Si wires using ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHVCVD). This method allows precise control over the diameter, length, density, spacing, orientation, shape, pattern and location of the Si and Si/SiGe nanowire arrays, making it possible to fabricate an array of devices based on rationally designed nanowire arrays. A proposed fabrication mechanism of the etching process is presented. Inspired by the excellent antireflection properties of the Si/SiGe wire arrays, we built solar cells based on the arrays of these wires containing radial junctions, an example of which exhibits an open circuit voltage (V(oc)) of 650 mV, a short-circuit current density (J(sc)) of 8.38 mA/cm(2), a fill factor of 0.60, and an energy conversion efficiency (η) of 3.26%. Such a p-n radial structure will have a great potential application for cost-efficient photovoltaic (PV) solar energy conversion. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Nanowire-templated lateral epitaxial growth of non-polar group III nitrides

DOEpatents

Wang, George T [Albuquerque, NM; Li, Qiming [Albuquerque, NM; Creighton, J Randall [Albuquerque, NM

2010-03-02

A method for growing high quality, nonpolar Group III nitrides using lateral growth from Group III nitride nanowires. The method of nanowire-templated lateral epitaxial growth (NTLEG) employs crystallographically aligned, substantially vertical Group III nitride nanowire arrays grown by metal-catalyzed metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) as templates for the lateral growth and coalescence of virtually crack-free Group III nitride films. This method requires no patterning or separate nitride growth step.

Extreme Carrier Depletion and Superlinear Photoconductivity in Ultrathin Parallel-Aligned ZnO Nanowire Array Photodetectors Fabricated by Infiltration Synthesis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nam, Chang-Yong; Stein, Aaron

Ultrathin semiconductor nanowires enable high-performance chemical sensors and photodetectors, but their synthesis and device integration by standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible processes remain persistent challenges. This work demonstrates fully CMOS-compatible synthesis and integration of parallel-aligned polycrystalline ZnO nanowire arrays into ultraviolet photodetectors via infiltration synthesis, material hybridization technique derived from atomic layer deposition. The nanowire photodetector features unique, high device performances originating from extreme charge carrier depletion, achieving photoconductive on–off ratios of >6 decades, blindness to visible light, and ultralow dark currents as low as 1 fA, the lowest reported for nanostructure-based photoconductive photodetectors. Surprisingly, the low dark current is invariantmore » with increasing number of nanowires and the photodetector shows unusual superlinear photoconductivity, observed for the first time in nanowires, leading to increasing detector responsivity and other parameters for higher incident light powers. Temperature-dependent carrier concentration and mobility reveal the photoelectrochemical-thermionic emission process at grain boundaries, responsible for the observed unique photodetector performances and superlinear photoconductivity. Here, the results elucidate fundamental processes responsible for photogain in polycrystalline nanostructures, providing useful guidelines for developing nanostructure-based detectors and sensors. Lastly, the developed fully CMOS-compatible nanowire synthesis and device fabrication methods also have potentials for scalable integration of nanowire sensor devices and circuitries.« less

Extreme Carrier Depletion and Superlinear Photoconductivity in Ultrathin Parallel-Aligned ZnO Nanowire Array Photodetectors Fabricated by Infiltration Synthesis

DOE PAGES

Nam, Chang-Yong; Stein, Aaron

2017-11-15

Ultrathin semiconductor nanowires enable high-performance chemical sensors and photodetectors, but their synthesis and device integration by standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible processes remain persistent challenges. This work demonstrates fully CMOS-compatible synthesis and integration of parallel-aligned polycrystalline ZnO nanowire arrays into ultraviolet photodetectors via infiltration synthesis, material hybridization technique derived from atomic layer deposition. The nanowire photodetector features unique, high device performances originating from extreme charge carrier depletion, achieving photoconductive on–off ratios of >6 decades, blindness to visible light, and ultralow dark currents as low as 1 fA, the lowest reported for nanostructure-based photoconductive photodetectors. Surprisingly, the low dark current is invariantmore » with increasing number of nanowires and the photodetector shows unusual superlinear photoconductivity, observed for the first time in nanowires, leading to increasing detector responsivity and other parameters for higher incident light powers. Temperature-dependent carrier concentration and mobility reveal the photoelectrochemical-thermionic emission process at grain boundaries, responsible for the observed unique photodetector performances and superlinear photoconductivity. Here, the results elucidate fundamental processes responsible for photogain in polycrystalline nanostructures, providing useful guidelines for developing nanostructure-based detectors and sensors. Lastly, the developed fully CMOS-compatible nanowire synthesis and device fabrication methods also have potentials for scalable integration of nanowire sensor devices and circuitries.« less

Facile Synthesis of Vanadium-Doped Ni3S2 Nanowire Arrays as Active Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

PubMed

Qu, Yuanju; Yang, Mingyang; Chai, Jianwei; Tang, Zhe; Shao, Mengmeng; Kwok, Chi Tat; Yang, Ming; Wang, Zhenyu; Chua, Daniel; Wang, Shijie; Lu, Zhouguang; Pan, Hui

2017-02-22

Ni 3 S 2 nanowire arrays doped with vanadium(V) are directly grown on nickel foam by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. It is found that the doping can promote the formation of Ni 3 S 2 nanowires at a low temperature. The doped nanowires show excellent electrocatalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and outperform pure Ni 3 S 2 and other Ni 3 S 2 -based compounds. The stability test shows that the performance of V-doped Ni 3 S 2 nanowires is improved and stabilized after thousands of linear sweep voltammetry test. The onset potential of V-doped Ni 3 S 2 nanowire can be as low as 39 mV, which is comparable to platinum. The nanowire has an overpotential of 68 mV at 10 mA cm -2 , a relatively low Tafel slope of 112 mV dec -1 , good stability and high Faradaic efficiency. First-principles calculations show that the V-doping in Ni 3 S 2 extremely enhances the free carrier density near the Fermi level, resulting in much improved catalytic activities. We expect that the doping can be an effective way to enhance the catalytic performance of metal disulfides in hydrogen evolution reaction and V-doped Ni 3 S 2 nanowire is one of the most promising electrocatalysts for hydrogen production.

Vertical epitaxial wire-on-wire growth of Ge/Si on Si(100) substrate.

PubMed

Shimizu, Tomohiro; Zhang, Zhang; Shingubara, Shoso; Senz, Stephan; Gösele, Ulrich

2009-04-01

Vertically aligned epitaxial Ge/Si heterostructure nanowire arrays on Si(100) substrates were prepared by a two-step chemical vapor deposition method in anodic aluminum oxide templates. n-Butylgermane vapor was employed as new safer precursor for Ge nanowire growth instead of germane. First a Si nanowire was grown by the vapor liquid solid growth mechanism using Au as catalyst and silane. The second step was the growth of Ge nanowires on top of the Si nanowires. The method presented will allow preparing epitaxially grown vertical heterostructure nanowires consisting of multiple materials on an arbitrary substrate avoiding undesired lateral growth.

Nanostructure based EO/IR sensor development for homeland security applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sood, Ashok K.; Welser, Roger E.; Sood, Adam W.; Puri, Yash R.; Manzur, Tariq; Dhar, Nibir K.; Polla, Dennis L.; Wang, Zhong L.; Wijewarnasuriya, Priyalal S.; Anwar, A. F. M.

2011-06-01

Next Generation EO/IR focal plane arrays using nanostructure materials are being developed for a variety of Defense and Homeland Security Sensor Applications. Several different nanomaterials are being evaluated for these applications. These include ZnO nanowires, GaN Nanowires and II-VI nanowires, which have demonstrated large signal to noise ratio as a wide band gap nanostructure material in the UV band. Similarly, the work is under way using Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) for a high speed detector and focal plane array as two-dimensional array as bolometer for IR bands of interest, which can be implemented for the sensors for homeland security applications. In this paper, we will discuss the sensor design and model predicting performance of an EO/IR focal plane array and Sensor that can cover the UV to IR bands of interest. The model can provide a robust means for comparing performance of the EO/IR FPA's and Sensors that can operate in the UV, Visible-NIR (0.4- 1.8μ), SWIR (2.0-2.5μ), MWIR (3-5μ), and LWIR bands (8-14μ). This model can be used as a tool for predicting performance of nanostructure arrays under development. We will also discuss our results on growth and characterization of ZnO nanowires and CNT's for the next generation sensor applications. We also present several approaches for integrated energy harvesting using nanostructure based solar cells and Nanogenerators that can be used to supplement the energy required for nanostructure based sensors.

Enhancing absorption in coated semiconductor nanowire/nanorod core-shell arrays using active host matrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jule, Leta; Dejene, Francis; Roro, Kittessa

2016-12-01

In the present work, we investigated theoretically and experimentally the interaction of radiation field phenomena interacting with arrays of nanowire/nanorod core-shell embedded in active host matrices. The optical properties of composites are explored including the case when the absorption of propagating wave by dissipative component is completely compensated by amplification in active (lasing) medium. On the basis of more elaborated modeling approach and extended effective medium theory, the effective polarizability and the refractive index of electromagnetic mode dispersion of the core-shell nanowire arrays are derived. ZnS(shell)-coated by sulphidation process on ZnO(shell) nanorod arrays grown on (100) silicon substrate by chemical bath deposition (CBD) has been used for theoretical comparison. Compared with the bare ZnO nanorods, ZnS-coated core/shell nanorods exhibit a strongly reduced ultraviolet (UV) emission and a dramatically enhanced deep level (DL) emission. Obviously, the UV and DL emission peaks are attributed to the emissions of ZnO nanorods within ZnO/ZnS core/shell nanorods. The reduction of UV emission after ZnS coating seems to agree with the charge separation mechanism of type-II band alignment that holes transfer from the core to shell, which would quench the UV emission to a certain extent. Our theoretical calculations and numerical simulation demonstrate that the use of active host (amplifying) medium to compensate absorption at metallic inclusions. Moreover the core-shell nanorod/nanowire arrays create the opportunity for broad band absorption and light harvesting applications.

Magnetization mechanisms in ordered arrays of polycrystalline Fe100-xCox nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viqueira, M. S.; Bajales, N.; Urreta, S. E.; Bercoff, P. G.

2015-05-01

Magnetization reversal processes and coercivity mechanisms in polycrystalline Fe100-xCox nanowire arrays, resulting from an AC electrodeposition process, are investigated. The array coercivity is described on the basis of polarization reversal mechanisms operating in individual wires, under the effect of inter-wire dipolar interactions described by a mean field approximation. For individual wires, a reversal mechanism involving the nucleation and further expansion of domain-wall like spin configuration is considered. The wires have a mean grain size larger than both the nanowire diameter and the exchange length, so localized and non-cooperative nucleation modes are considered. As the Co content increases, the alloy saturation polarization gradually decreases, but the coercive field and the relative remanence of the arrays increase, indicating that they are not controlled by the shape anisotropy in all the composition range. The coercive field dependence on the angle between the applied field and the wire long axis is not well described by reversal mechanisms involving nucleation and further displacement of neither vortex nor transverse ideal domain walls. On the contrary, the angular dependence of the coercive field observed at room temperature is well predicted by a model considering nucleation of inverse domains by localized curling, in regions smaller than the grain size, exhibiting quite small aspect ratios as compared to those of the entire nanowire. In arrays with higher Co contents, a transition from an initial (small angle) localized curling nucleation mechanism to another one, involving localized coherent rotation is observed at about π/4.

Silicon Nanowires for Solar Thermal Energy Harvesting: an Experimental Evaluation on the Trade-off Effects of the Spectral Optical Properties.

PubMed

Sekone, Abdoul Karim; Chen, Yu-Bin; Lu, Ming-Chang; Chen, Wen-Kai; Liu, Chia-An; Lee, Ming-Tsang

2016-12-01

Silicon nanowire possesses great potential as the material for renewable energy harvesting and conversion. The significantly reduced spectral reflectivity of silicon nanowire to visible light makes it even more attractive in solar energy applications. However, the benefit of its use for solar thermal energy harvesting remains to be investigated and has so far not been clearly reported. The purpose of this study is to provide practical information and insight into the performance of silicon nanowires in solar thermal energy conversion systems. Spectral hemispherical reflectivity and transmissivity of the black silicon nanowire array on silicon wafer substrate were measured. It was observed that the reflectivity is lower in the visible range but higher in the infrared range compared to the plain silicon wafer. A drying experiment and a theoretical calculation were carried out to directly evaluate the effects of the trade-off between scattering properties at different wavelengths. It is clearly seen that silicon nanowires can improve the solar thermal energy harnessing. The results showed that a 17.8 % increase in the harvest and utilization of solar thermal energy could be achieved using a silicon nanowire array on silicon substrate as compared to that obtained with a plain silicon wafer.

Cellular manipulation and patterning using ferromagnetic nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hultgren, Anne

Ferromagnetic nanowires are demonstrated as an effective tool to apply forces to living cells. Both magnetic cell separations and the magnetic patterning of cells on a substrate will be accomplished through the use of cell-nanowire interactions as well as nanowire-magnetic field interactions. When introduced into cultures of NIH-3T3 cells, the nanowires are internalized by cells via the integrin-mediated adhesion pathway without inflicting any toxic effects on the cell cycle over the course of several days. In addition, the length of the nanowires was found to have an effect on the cell-nanowire interactions when the cells were dissociated from the tissue culture dish. To compare the effectiveness of the nanowires as a means of manipulating cells to the current technology which is based on superparamagnetic beads, magnetic cell separations were performed with electrodeposited Ni nanowires 350 nm in diameter and 5--35 mum long in field gradients of 80 T/m. Single-pass separations of NIH-3T3 cells bound to nanowires achieve up to 81% purity with 85% yield, a dramatic improvement over the 55% purity and 20% yield obtained with the beads. The yield for the separations were found to be dependent on the length of the nanowires, and was maximized when the length of the nanowires equaled the diameter of the cells. This dependence was exploited to perform a size-selective magnetic separation. Substrates containing arrays of micro-magnets, fabricated using photolithography, were placed in cell cultures. These micro-magnet arrays create regions of locally strong magnetic field gradients to trap nanowires in specific locations on the substrate. These substrates were used in conjunction with fluid flow and a weak, externally applied magnetic field to create and control patterns of cells bound to nanowires. Controlled isolation of heterogeneous pairs and groups of cells will enable the study of the biochemistry of cell-cell contacts.

Self-supported three-dimensional Cu/Cu2O-CuO/rGO nanowire array electrodes for an efficient hydrogen evolution reaction.

PubMed

Ye, Lin; Wen, Zhenhai

2018-06-14

We report the fabrication of self-supported Cu/Cu2O-CuO/rGO nanowire arrays on commercial porous copper foam, which exhibit excellent activity and durability for electrochemical hydrogen evolution, presenting a small onset potential of 84 mV and a low overpotential of 105 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2.

Ordered arrays of Ni magnetic nanowires: Synthesis and investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Napolskii, K. S.; Eliseev, A. A.; Yesin, N. V.; Lukashin, A. V.; Tretyakov, Yu. D.; Grigorieva, N. A.; Grigoriev, S. V.; Eckerlebe, H.

2007-03-01

The present study is focused on the synthesis and investigation of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films and magnetic nanocomposites Ni/AAO obtained by Ni electrodeposition into porous matrix. AAO membranes and magnetic nanocomposites were investigated by HRSEM, EDX microanalysis, XRD, nitrogen capillary adsorption method, SQUID magnetometry, and polarized small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The influence of synthesis conditions and form factor effect on the magnetic properties of nanowire arrays is reported.

Monolithically Integrated Self-Charging Power Pack Consisting of a Silicon Nanowire Array/Conductive Polymer Hybrid Solar Cell and a Laser-Scribed Graphene Supercapacitor.

PubMed

Liu, Hanhui; Li, Mengping; Kaner, Richard B; Chen, Songyan; Pei, Qibing

2018-05-09

Owing to the need for portable and sustainable energy sources and the development trend for microminiaturization and multifunctionalization in the electronic components, the study of integrated self-charging power packs has attracted increasing attention. A new self-charging power pack consisting of a silicon nanowire array/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid solar cell and a laser-scribed graphene (LSG) supercapacitor has been fabricated. The Si nanowire array/PEDOT:PSS hybrid solar cell structure exhibited a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 12.37%. The LSG demonstrated excellent energy storage capability for the power pack, with high current density, energy density, and cyclic stability when compared to other supercapacitor electrodes such as active carbon and conducting polymers. The overall efficiency of the power unit is 2.92%.

Nanowire arrays restore vision in blind mice.

PubMed

Tang, Jing; Qin, Nan; Chong, Yan; Diao, Yupu; Yiliguma; Wang, Zhexuan; Xue, Tian; Jiang, Min; Zhang, Jiayi; Zheng, Gengfeng

2018-03-06

The restoration of light response with complex spatiotemporal features in retinal degenerative diseases towards retinal prosthesis has proven to be a considerable challenge over the past decades. Herein, inspired by the structure and function of photoreceptors in retinas, we develop artificial photoreceptors based on gold nanoparticle-decorated titania nanowire arrays, for restoration of visual responses in the blind mice with degenerated photoreceptors. Green, blue and near UV light responses in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are restored with a spatial resolution better than 100 µm. ON responses in RGCs are blocked by glutamatergic antagonists, suggesting functional preservation of the remaining retinal circuits. Moreover, neurons in the primary visual cortex respond to light after subretinal implant of nanowire arrays. Improvement in pupillary light reflex suggests the behavioral recovery of light sensitivity. Our study will shed light on the development of a new generation of optoelectronic toolkits for subretinal prosthetic devices.

Piezo‐Phototronic Effect Enhanced Flexible Solar Cells Based on n‐ZnO/p‐SnS Core–Shell Nanowire Array

PubMed Central

Zhu, Laipan; Wang, Longfei; Xue, Fei; Chen, Libo; Fu, Jianqiang; Feng, Xiaolong; Li, Tianfeng

2016-01-01

The piezo‐phototronic effect is about the enhanced separation, transport, and recombination of the photogenerated carriers using the piezoelectric polarization charges present in piezoelectric‐semiconductor materials. Here, it is presented that the piezo‐phototronic effect can be effectively applied to improve the relative conversion efficiency of a flexible solar cell based on n‐ZnO/p‐SnS core–shell nanowire array for 37.3% under a moderate vertical pressure. The performance of the solar cell can be effectively enhanced by a gentle bending of the device, showing its potential for application in curly geometries. This study not only adds further understanding about the concept of increasing solar energy conversion efficiency via piezo‐phototronic effect, but also demonstrates the great potential of piezo‐phototronic effect in the application of large‐scale, flexible, and lightweight nanowire array solar cells. PMID:28105394

Piezo-Phototronic Effect Enhanced Flexible Solar Cells Based on n-ZnO/p-SnS Core-Shell Nanowire Array.

PubMed

Zhu, Laipan; Wang, Longfei; Xue, Fei; Chen, Libo; Fu, Jianqiang; Feng, Xiaolong; Li, Tianfeng; Wang, Zhong Lin

2017-01-01

The piezo-phototronic effect is about the enhanced separation, transport, and recombination of the photogenerated carriers using the piezoelectric polarization charges present in piezoelectric-semiconductor materials. Here, it is presented that the piezo-phototronic effect can be effectively applied to improve the relative conversion efficiency of a flexible solar cell based on n-ZnO/p-SnS core-shell nanowire array for 37.3% under a moderate vertical pressure. The performance of the solar cell can be effectively enhanced by a gentle bending of the device, showing its potential for application in curly geometries. This study not only adds further understanding about the concept of increasing solar energy conversion efficiency via piezo-phototronic effect, but also demonstrates the great potential of piezo-phototronic effect in the application of large-scale, flexible, and lightweight nanowire array solar cells.

Enhanced immunization via dissolving microneedle array-based delivery system incorporating subunit vaccine and saponin adjuvant

PubMed Central

Zhao, Ji-Hui; Zhang, Qi-Bo; Liu, Bao; Piao, Xiang-Hua; Yan, Yu-Lu; Hu, Xiao-Ge; Zhou, Kuan; Zhang, Yong-Tai; Feng, Nian-Ping

2017-01-01

Purpose To enhance the immunogenicity of the model subunit vaccine, ovalbumin (OVA) was combined with platycodin (PD), a saponin adjuvant. To reduce the toxicity of PD, OVA, and adjuvant were loaded together into liposomes before being incorporated into a dissolving microneedle array. Methods OVA- and PD-loaded liposomes (OVA-PD-Lipos) were prepared using the film dispersion method. Their uptake behavior, toxicity to mouse bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs), and hemolytic activity to rabbit red blood cells (RBCs) were evaluated. The OVA-PD-Lipos were incorporated into a dissolving microneedle array. The chemical stability of OVA and the physical stability of OVA-PD-Lipos in microneedle arrays were investigated. The immune response of Institute of Cancer Research mice and potential skin irritation reaction of rabbits to OVA-PD-Lipos-MNs were evaluated. Results The uptake of OVA by mouse BMDCs was greatly enhanced when OVA was prepared as OVA-PD-Lipos, and in this form, the toxicity of PD was dramatically reduced. OVA was chemically stable as OVA-PD-Lipos, when OVA-PD-Lipos was incorporated into a dissolving microneedle array. Institute of Cancer Research mice treated with OVA-PD-Lipos-MNs showed a significantly enhanced immune response. PD combined with OVA elicited a balanced Th1 and Th2 humoral immune response in mice, with minimal irritation in rabbit skin. Conclusion The dissolving microneedle array-based system is a promising delivery vehicle for subunit vaccine and its adjuvant. PMID:28740383

A high efficiency dual-junction solar cell implemented as a nanowire array.

PubMed

Yu, Shuqing; Witzigmann, Bernd

2013-01-14

In this work, we present an innovative design of a dual-junction nanowire array solar cell. Using a dual-diameter nanowire structure, the solar spectrum is separated and absorbed in the core wire and the shell wire with respect to the wavelength. This solar cell provides high optical absorptivity over the entire spectrum due to an electromagnetic concentration effect. Microscopic simulations were performed in a three-dimensional setup, and the optical properties of the structure were evaluated by solving Maxwell's equations. The Shockley-Queisser method was employed to calculate the current-voltage relationship of the dual-junction structure. Proper design of the geometrical and material parameters leads to an efficiency of 39.1%.

Combined flame and electrodeposition synthesis of energetic coaxial tungsten-oxide/aluminum nanowire arrays.

PubMed

Dong, Zhizhong; Al-Sharab, Jafar F; Kear, Bernard H; Tse, Stephen D

2013-09-11

A nanostructured thermite composite comprising an array of tungsten-oxide (WO2.9) nanowires (diameters of 20-50 nm and lengths of >10 μm) coated with single-crystal aluminum (thickness of ~16 nm) has been fabricated. The method involves combined flame synthesis of tungsten-oxide nanowires and ionic-liquid electrodeposition of aluminum. The geometry not only presents an avenue to tailor heat-release characteristics due to anisotropic arrangement of fuel and oxidizer but also eliminates or minimizes the presence of an interfacial Al2O3 passivation layer. Upon ignition, the energetic nanocomposite exhibits strong exothermicity, thereby being useful for fundamental study of aluminothermic reactions as well as enhancing combustion characteristics.

Atomic-Scale Origin of Long-Term Stability and High Performance of p-GaN Nanowire Arrays for Photocatalytic Overall Pure Water Splitting.

PubMed

Kibria, Md Golam; Qiao, Ruimin; Yang, Wanli; Boukahil, Idris; Kong, Xianghua; Chowdhury, Faqrul Alam; Trudeau, Michel L; Ji, Wei; Guo, Hong; Himpsel, F J; Vayssieres, Lionel; Mi, Zetian

2016-10-01

The atomic-scale origin of the unusually high performance and long-term stability of wurtzite p-GaN oriented nanowire arrays is revealed. Nitrogen termination of both the polar (0001¯) top face and the nonpolar (101¯0) side faces of the nanowires is essential for long-term stability and high efficiency. Such a distinct atomic configuration ensures not only stability against (photo) oxidation in air and in water/electrolyte but, as importantly, also provides the necessary overall reverse crystal polarization needed for efficient hole extraction in p-GaN. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Thermal expansion behavior study of Co nanowire array with in situ x-ray diffraction and x-ray absorption fine structure techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mo, Guang; Cai, Quan; Jiang, Longsheng; Wang, Wei; Zhang, Kunhao; Cheng, Weidong; Xing, Xueqing; Chen, Zhongjun; Wu, Zhonghua

2008-10-01

In situ x-ray diffraction and x-ray absorption fine structure techniques were used to study the structural change of ordered Co nanowire array with temperature. The results show that the Co nanowires are polycrystalline with hexagonal close packed structure without phase change up until 700 °C. A nonlinear thermal expansion behavior has been found and can be well described by a quadratic equation with the first-order thermal expansion coefficient of 4.3×10-6/°C and the second-order thermal expansion coefficient of 5.9×10-9/°C. The mechanism of this nonlinear thermal expansion behavior is discussed.

A Two-Dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskite Nanowire Laser Array based on Ultrafast Light-Harvesting Quantum Wells.

PubMed

Zhang, Haihua; Wu, Yishi; Liao, Qing; Zhang, Zhaoyi; Liu, Yanping; Gao, Qinggang; Liu, Peng; Li, Meili; Yao, Jiannian; Fu, Hongbing

2018-06-25

Miniaturized nanowire nanolasers of 3D perovskites feature a high gain coefficient; however, room-temperature optical gain and nanowire lasers from 2D layered perovskites have not been reported to date. A biomimetic approach is presented to construct an artificial ligh-harvesting system in mixed multiple quantum wells (QWs) of 2D-RPPs of (BA) 2 (FA) n-1 Pb n Br 3n+1 , achieving room-temperature ASE and nanowire (NW) lasing. Owing to the improvement of flexible and deformable characteristics provided by organic BA cation layers, high-density large-area NW laser arrays were fabricated with high photostability. Well-controlled dimensions and uniform geometries enabled 2D-RPPs NWs functioning as high-quality Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers with almost identical optical modes, high quality (Q) factor (ca. 1800), and similarly low lasing thresholds. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Optical analysis of a III-V-nanowire-array-on-Si dual junction solar cell.

PubMed

Chen, Yang; Höhn, Oliver; Tucher, Nico; Pistol, Mats-Erik; Anttu, Nicklas

2017-08-07

A tandem solar cell consisting of a III-V nanowire subcell on top of a planar Si subcell is a promising candidate for next generation photovoltaics due to the potential for high efficiency. However, for success with such applications, the geometry of the system must be optimized for absorption of sunlight. Here, we consider this absorption through optics modeling. Similarly, as for a bulk dual-junction tandem system on a silicon bottom cell, a bandgap of approximately 1.7 eV is optimum for the nanowire top cell. First, we consider a simplified system of bare, uncoated III-V nanowires on the silicon substrate and optimize the absorption in the nanowires. We find that an optimum absorption in 2000 nm long nanowires is reached for a dense array of approximately 15 nanowires per square micrometer. However, when we coat such an array with a conformal indium tin oxide (ITO) top contact layer, a substantial absorption loss occurs in the ITO. This ITO could absorb 37% of the low energy photons intended for the silicon subcell. By moving to a design with a 50 nm thick, planarized ITO top layer, we can reduce this ITO absorption to 5%. However, such a planarized design introduces additional reflection losses. We show that these reflection losses can be reduced with a 100 nm thick SiO 2 anti-reflection coating on top of the ITO layer. When we at the same time include a Si 3 N 4 layer with a thickness of 90 nm on the silicon surface between the nanowires, we can reduce the average reflection loss of the silicon cell from 17% to 4%. Finally, we show that different approximate models for the absorption in the silicon substrate can lead to a 15% variation in the estimated photocurrent density in the silicon subcell.

Thermocooling of GMR Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Despina (Inventor); Mannam, Raja Sekharam (Inventor); Bellamkonda, Ramya (Inventor)

2013-01-01

A thermoelectrically cooled GMR sensor having a first thermoelectric layer with an array of nanowires, wherein the nanowires include a diameter of about 1 nanometer to about 1000 nanometers. A plurality of alternating layers of magnetic and nonmagnetic material are positioned over and extend the nanowires to form a GMR assembly. A second thermoelectric layer is positioned over the GMR assembly and extends the nanowires, such that the nanowires have a length of between about 100 nanometers and about 500 microns. Conductors are placed in contact with the first and second thermoelectric layers for connecting the thermoelectric layers to a voltage source.

Defect-induced infrared electroluminescence from radial GaInP/AlGaInP quantum well nanowire array light- emitting diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussain, Laiq; Karimi, Mohammad; Berg, Alexander; Jain, Vishal; Borgström, Magnus T.; Gustafsson, Anders; Samuelson, Lars; Pettersson, Håkan

2017-12-01

Radial GaInP/AlGaInP nanowire array light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are promising candidates for novel high-efficiency solid state lighting due to their potentially large strain-free active emission volumes compared to planar LEDs. Moreover, by proper tuning of the diameter of the nanowires, the fraction of emitted light extracted can be significantly enhanced compared to that of planar LEDs. Reports so far on radial growth of nanowire LED structures, however, still point to significant challenges related to obtaining defect-free radial heterostructures. In this work, we present evidence of optically active growth-induced defects in a fairly broad energy range in vertically processed radial GaInP/AlGaInP quantum well nanowire array LEDs using a variety of complementary experimental techniques. In particular, we demonstrate strong infrared electroluminescence in a spectral range centred around 1 eV (1.2 μm) in addition to the expected red light emission from the quantum well. Spatially resolved cathodoluminescence studies reveal a patchy red light emission with clear spectral features along the NWs, most likely induced by variations in QW thickness, composition and barriers. Dark areas are attributed to infrared emission generated by competing defect-assisted radiative transitions, or to trapping mechanisms involving non-radiative recombination processes. Possible origins of the defects are discussed.

A high performance three-phase enzyme electrode based on superhydrophobic mesoporous silicon nanowire arrays for glucose detection.

PubMed

Xu, Chenlong; Song, Zhiqian; Xiang, Qun; Jin, Jian; Feng, Xinjian

2016-04-14

We describe here a high performance oxygen-rich three-phase enzyme electrode based on superhydrophobic mesoporous silicon nanowire arrays for glucose detection. We demonstrate that its linear detection upper limit is 30 mM, more than 15 times higher than that can be obtained on the normal enzyme-electrode. Notably, the three-phase enzyme electrode output is insensitive to the significant oxygen level fluctuation in analyte solution.

Polyaniline nanowire array encapsulated in titania nanotubes as a superior electrode for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Keyu; Li, Jie; Lai, Yanqing; Zhang, Zhi'an; Liu, Yexiang; Zhang, Guoge; Huang, Haitao

2011-05-01

Conducting polymer with 1D nanostructure exhibits excellent electrochemical performances but a poor cyclability that limits its use in supercapacitors. In this work, a novel composite electrode made of polyaniline nanowire-titania nanotube array was synthesized via a simple and inexpensive electrochemical route by electropolymerizing aniline onto an anodized titania nanotube array. The specific capacitance was as high as 732 F g-1 at 1 A g-1, which remained at 543 F g-1 when the current density was increased by 20 times. 74% of the maximum energy density (36.6 Wh kg-1) was maintained even at a high power density of 6000 W kg-1. An excellent long cycle life of the electrode was observed with a retention of ~86% of the initial specific capacitance after 2000 cycles. The good electrochemical performance was attributed to the unique microstructure of the electrode with disordered PANI nanowire arrays encapsulated inside the TiO2 nanotubes, providing high surface area, fast diffusion path for ions and long-term cycle stability. Such a nanocomposite electrode is attractive for supercapacitor applications.

Efficient and scalable ionization of neutral atoms by an orderly array of gold-doped silicon nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bucay, Igal; Helal, Ahmed; Dunsky, David; Leviyev, Alex; Mallavarapu, Akhila; Sreenivasan, S. V.; Raizen, Mark

2017-04-01

Ionization of atoms and molecules is an important process in many applications and processes such as mass spectrometry. Ionization is typically accomplished by electron bombardment, and while it is scalable to large volumes, is also very inefficient due to the small cross section of electron-atom collisions. Photoionization methods can be highly efficient, but are not scalable due to the small ionization volume. Electric field ionization is accomplished using ultra-sharp conducting tips biased to a few kilovolts, but suffers from a low ionization volume and tip fabrication limitations. We report on our progress towards an efficient, robust, and scalable method of atomic and molecular ionization using orderly arrays of sharp, gold-doped silicon nanowires. As demonstrated in earlier work, the presence of the gold greatly enhances the ionization probability, which was attributed to an increase in available acceptor surface states. We present here a novel process used to fabricate the nanowire array, results of simulations aimed at optimizing the configuration of the array, and our progress towards demonstrating efficient and scalable ionization.

Fabrication of arrayed Si nanowire-based nano-floating gate memory devices on flexible plastics.

PubMed

Yoon, Changjoon; Jeon, Youngin; Yun, Junggwon; Kim, Sangsig

2012-01-01

Arrayed Si nanowire (NW)-based nano-floating gate memory (NFGM) devices with Pt nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in Al2O3 gate layers are successfully constructed on flexible plastics by top-down approaches. Ten arrayed Si NW-based NFGM devices are positioned on the first level. Cross-linked poly-4-vinylphenol (PVP) layers are spin-coated on them as isolation layers between the first and second level, and another ten devices are stacked on the cross-linked PVP isolation layers. The electrical characteristics of the representative Si NW-based NFGM devices on the first and second levels exhibit threshold voltage shifts, indicating the trapping and detrapping of electrons in their NPs nodes. They have an average threshold voltage shift of 2.5 V with good retention times of more than 5 x 10(4) s. Moreover, most of the devices successfully retain their electrical characteristics after about one thousand bending cycles. These well-arrayed and stacked Si NW-based NFGM devices demonstrate the potential of nanowire-based devices for large-scale integration.

Ultrahigh density array of vertically aligned small-molecular organic nanowires on arbitrary substrates.

PubMed

Starko-Bowes, Ryan; Pramanik, Sandipan

2013-06-18

In recent years π-conjugated organic semiconductors have emerged as the active material in a number of diverse applications including large-area, low-cost displays, photovoltaics, printable and flexible electronics and organic spin valves. Organics allow (a) low-cost, low-temperature processing and (b) molecular-level design of electronic, optical and spin transport characteristics. Such features are not readily available for mainstream inorganic semiconductors, which have enabled organics to carve a niche in the silicon-dominated electronics market. The first generation of organic-based devices has focused on thin film geometries, grown by physical vapor deposition or solution processing. However, it has been realized that organic nanostructures can be used to enhance performance of above-mentioned applications and significant effort has been invested in exploring methods for organic nanostructure fabrication. A particularly interesting class of organic nanostructures is the one in which vertically oriented organic nanowires, nanorods or nanotubes are organized in a well-regimented, high-density array. Such structures are highly versatile and are ideal morphological architectures for various applications such as chemical sensors, split-dipole nanoantennas, photovoltaic devices with radially heterostructured "core-shell" nanowires, and memory devices with a cross-point geometry. Such architecture is generally realized by a template-directed approach. In the past this method has been used to grow metal and inorganic semiconductor nanowire arrays. More recently π-conjugated polymer nanowires have been grown within nanoporous templates. However, these approaches have had limited success in growing nanowires of technologically important π-conjugated small molecular weight organics, such as tris-8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq3), rubrene and methanofullerenes, which are commonly used in diverse areas including organic displays, photovoltaics, thin film transistors and spintronics. Recently we have been able to address the above-mentioned issue by employing a novel "centrifugation-assisted" approach. This method therefore broadens the spectrum of organic materials that can be patterned in a vertically ordered nanowire array. Due to the technological importance of Alq3, rubrene and methanofullerenes, our method can be used to explore how the nanostructuring of these materials affects the performance of aforementioned organic devices. The purpose of this article is to describe the technical details of the above-mentioned protocol, demonstrate how this process can be extended to grow small-molecular organic nanowires on arbitrary substrates and finally, to discuss the critical steps, limitations, possible modifications, trouble-shooting and future applications.

Effect of electroless etching parameters on the growth and reflection properties of silicon nanowires.

PubMed

Ozdemir, Baris; Kulakci, Mustafa; Turan, Rasit; Unalan, Husnu Emrah

2011-04-15

Vertically aligned silicon nanowire (Si NW) arrays have been fabricated over large areas using an electroless etching (EE) method, which involves etching of silicon wafers in a silver nitrate and hydrofluoric acid based solution. A detailed parametric study determining the relationship between nanowire morphology and time, temperature, solution concentration and starting wafer characteristics (doping type, resistivity, crystallographic orientation) is presented. The as-fabricated Si NW arrays were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and a linear dependency of nanowire length to both temperature and time was obtained and the change in the growth rate of Si NWs at increased etching durations was shown. Furthermore, the effects of EE parameters on the optical reflectivity of the Si NWs were investigated in this study. Reflectivity measurements show that the 42.8% reflectivity of the starting silicon wafer drops to 1.3%, recorded for 10 µm long Si NW arrays. The remarkable decrease in optical reflectivity indicates that Si NWs have a great potential to be utilized in radial or coaxial p-n heterojunction solar cells that could provide orthogonal photon absorption and enhanced carrier collection.

Effect of electroless etching parameters on the growth and reflection properties of silicon nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozdemir, Baris; Kulakci, Mustafa; Turan, Rasit; Emrah Unalan, Husnu

2011-04-01

Vertically aligned silicon nanowire (Si NW) arrays have been fabricated over large areas using an electroless etching (EE) method, which involves etching of silicon wafers in a silver nitrate and hydrofluoric acid based solution. A detailed parametric study determining the relationship between nanowire morphology and time, temperature, solution concentration and starting wafer characteristics (doping type, resistivity, crystallographic orientation) is presented. The as-fabricated Si NW arrays were analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and a linear dependency of nanowire length to both temperature and time was obtained and the change in the growth rate of Si NWs at increased etching durations was shown. Furthermore, the effects of EE parameters on the optical reflectivity of the Si NWs were investigated in this study. Reflectivity measurements show that the 42.8% reflectivity of the starting silicon wafer drops to 1.3%, recorded for 10 µm long Si NW arrays. The remarkable decrease in optical reflectivity indicates that Si NWs have a great potential to be utilized in radial or coaxial p-n heterojunction solar cells that could provide orthogonal photon absorption and enhanced carrier collection.

High carrier concentration ZnO nanowire arrays for binder-free conductive support of supercapacitors electrodes by Al doping.

PubMed

Zheng, Xin; Sun, Yihui; Yan, Xiaoqin; Sun, Xu; Zhang, Guangjie; Zhang, Qian; Jiang, Yaru; Gao, Wenchao; Zhang, Yue

2016-12-15

Doping semiconductor nanowires (NWs) for altering their electrical and optical properties is a critical strategy for tailoring the performance of nanodevices. Here, we prepared in situ Al-doped ZnO nanowire arrays by using continuous flow injection (CFI) hydrothermal method to promote the conductivity. This reasonable method offers highly stable precursor concentration for doping that effectively avoid the appearance of the low conductivity ZnO nanosheets. Benefit from this, three orders of magnitude rise of the carrier concentration from 10 16 cm -3 to 10 19 cm -3 can be achieved compared with the common hydrothermal (CH) mothed in Mott-Schottky measurement. Possible effect of Al-doping was discussed by first-principle theory. On this basis, Al-doped ZnO nanowire arrays was developed as a binder-free conductive support for supercapacitor electrodes and high capacitance was triggered. It is owing to the dramatically decreased transfer resistance induced by the growing free-moving electrons and holes. Our results have a profound significance not merely in the controlled synthesis of other doping nanomaterials by co-precipitation method but also in the application of binder-free energy materials or other materials. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of silicon nanowire arrays for photovoltaic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichfeld, Sarah M.

The overall objective of this thesis was the development of processes for the fabrication of radial p-n silicon nanowires (SiNWs) using bottom-up nanowire growth techniques on silicon and glass substrates. Vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth was carried out on Si(111) substrates using SiCl4 as the silicon precursor. Growth conditions including temperature, PSiCl4, PH2, and position were investigated to determine the optimum growth conditions for epitaxially oriented silicon nanowire arrays. The experiments revealed that the growth rate of the silicon nanowires exhibits a maximum as a function of PSiCl4 and P H2. Gas phase equilibrium calculations were used in conjunction with a mass transport model to explain the experimental data. The modeling results demonstrate a similar maximum in the mass of solid silicon predicted to form as a function of PSiCl4 and PH2, which results from a change in the gas phase concentration of SiHxCly and SiClx species. This results in a shift in the process from growth to etching with increasing PSiCl4. In general, for the atmospheric pressure conditions employed in this study, growth at higher temperatures >1000°C and higher SiCl4 concentrations gave the best results. The growth of silicon nanowire arrays on anodized alumina (AAO)-coated glass substrates was also investigated. Glass will not hold up to the high temperatures required for Si nanowire growth with SiCl4 so SiH 4 was used as the Si precursor instead. Initial studies were carried out to measure the resistivity of p-type and n-type silicon nanowires grown in freestanding AAO membranes. A series of nanowire samples were grown in which the doping and the nanowire length inside the membrane were varied. Circular metal contacts were deposited on the top surface of the membranes and the resistance of the nanowire arrays was measured. The measured resistance versus nanowire length was plotted and the nanowire resistivity was extracted from the slope. The resistivity of the silicon nanowires grown in the AAO membranes was then compared to the resistivity of silicon nanowires grown on Si and measured using single wire four-point measurements. It was determined that the undoped silicon nanowires grown in AAO have a lower resistivity compared to nanowires grown on Si substrates. This indicates the presence of an unintentional acceptor. The resistivity of the silicon nanowires was found to change as the dopant/SiH4 ratio was varied during growth. The growth and doping conditions developed from this study were then used to fabricate p-type SiNW arrays on the AAO coated glass substrates. The final investigation in this thesis focused on the development of a process for radial coating of an n-type Si layer on the p-type Si nanowires. While prior studies demonstrated the fabrication of polycrystalline n-type Si shell layers on Si nanowires, an epitaxial n-type Si shell layer is ultimately of interest to obtain a high quality p-n interface. Initial n-type Si thin film deposition studies were carried out on sapphire substrates using SiH 4 as the silicon precursor to investigate the effect of growth conditions on thickness uniformity, growth rate and doping level. High growth temperatures (>900°C) are generally desired for achieving epitaxial growth; however, gas phase depletion of the SiH4 source along the length of the reactor resulted in poor thickness uniformity. To improve the uniformity, the substrate was shifted closer to the gas inlet at higher temperatures (950°C) and the total flow of gas through the reactor was increased to 200 sccm. A series of n-type doping experiments were also carried out. Hall measurements indicated n-type behavior and four-point measurements yielded a change in resistivity based on the PH3/SiH4 ratio. Pre-coating sample preparation was determined to be important for achieving a high quality Si shell layer. Since Au can diffuse down the sides of the nanowire during sample cooldown after growth, the Au tips were etched away prior to shell layer deposition. The effect of deposition temperature on the structural properties of the shell layer deposited on the VLS grown SiNWs was investigated. TEM revealed that the n-type Si shells were polycrystalline at low temperatures (650°C) but were single crystal at 950°C. SiNW samples grown on glass were also coated; however, due to the temperature constraints, the maximum temperature used was 650°C and therefore the n-type Si shells were polycrystalline. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Efficient Synthesis of MCu (M = Pd, Pt, and Au) Aerogels with Accelerated Gelation Kinetics and their High Electrocatalytic Activity.

PubMed

Zhu, Chengzhou; Shi, Qiurong; Fu, Shaofang; Song, Junhua; Xia, Haibing; Du, Dan; Lin, Yuehe

2016-10-01

To accelerate hydrogel formation and further simplify the synthetic procedure, a series of MCu (M = Pd, Pt, and Au) bimetallic aerogels is synthesized from the in situ reduction of metal precursors through enhancement of the gelation kinetics at elevated temperature. Moreover, the resultant PdCu aerogel with ultrathin nanowire networks exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance toward ethanol oxidation, holding promise in fuel-cell applications. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electroplating and magnetostructural characterization of multisegmented Co54Ni46/Co85Ni15 nanowires from single electrochemical bath in anodic alumina templates

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Highly hexagonally ordered hard anodic aluminum oxide membranes, which have been modified by a thin cover layer of SiO2 deposited by atomic layer deposition method, were used as templates for the synthesis of electrodeposited magnetic Co-Ni nanowire arrays having diameters of around 180 to 200 nm and made of tens of segments with alternating compositions of Co54Ni46 and Co85Ni15. Each Co-Ni single segment has a mean length of around 290 nm for the Co54Ni46 alloy, whereas the length of the Co85Ni15 segments was around 430 nm. The composition and crystalline structure of each Co-Ni nanowire segment were determined by transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction techniques. The employed single-bath electrochemical nanowire growth method allows for tuning both the composition and crystalline structure of each individual Co-Ni segment. The room temperature magnetic behavior of the multisegmented Co-Ni nanowire arrays is also studied and correlated with their structural and morphological properties. PMID:23735184

Maximizing omnidirectional light harvesting in metal oxide hyperbranched array architectures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Wu-Qiang; Feng, Hao-Lin; Rao, Hua-Shang; Xu, Yang-Fan; Kuang, Dai-Bin; Su, Cheng-Yong

2014-05-01

The scrupulous design of nanoarchitectures and smart hybridization of specific active materials are closely related to the overall photovoltaic performance of an anode electrode. Here we present a solution-based strategy for the fabrication of well-aligned metal oxide-based nanowire-nanosheet-nanorod hyperbranched arrays on transparent conducting oxide substrates. For these hyperbranched arrays, we observe a twofold increment in dye adsorption and enhanced light trapping and scattering capability compared with the pristine titanium dioxide nanowires, and thus a power conversion efficiency of 9.09% is achieved. Our growth approach presents a strategy to broaden the photoresponse and maximize the light-harvesting efficiency of arrays architectures, and may lead to applications for energy conversion and storage, catalysis, water splitting and gas sensing.

Maximizing omnidirectional light harvesting in metal oxide hyperbranched array architectures.

PubMed

Wu, Wu-Qiang; Feng, Hao-Lin; Rao, Hua-Shang; Xu, Yang-Fan; Kuang, Dai-Bin; Su, Cheng-Yong

2014-05-29

The scrupulous design of nanoarchitectures and smart hybridization of specific active materials are closely related to the overall photovoltaic performance of an anode electrode. Here we present a solution-based strategy for the fabrication of well-aligned metal oxide-based nanowire-nanosheet-nanorod hyperbranched arrays on transparent conducting oxide substrates. For these hyperbranched arrays, we observe a twofold increment in dye adsorption and enhanced light trapping and scattering capability compared with the pristine titanium dioxide nanowires, and thus a power conversion efficiency of 9.09% is achieved. Our growth approach presents a strategy to broaden the photoresponse and maximize the light-harvesting efficiency of arrays architectures, and may lead to applications for energy conversion and storage, catalysis, water splitting and gas sensing.

Optimization of the short-circuit current in an InP nanowire array solar cell through opto-electronic modeling.

PubMed

Chen, Yang; Kivisaari, Pyry; Pistol, Mats-Erik; Anttu, Nicklas

2016-09-23

InP nanowire arrays with axial p-i-n junctions are promising devices for next-generation photovoltaics, with a demonstrated efficiency of 13.8%. However, the short-circuit current in such arrays does not match their absorption performance. Here, through combined optical and electrical modeling, we study how the absorption of photons and separation of the resulting photogenerated electron-hole pairs define and limit the short-circuit current in the nanowires. We identify how photogenerated minority carriers in the top n segment (i.e. holes) diffuse to the ohmic top contact where they recombine without contributing to the short-circuit current. In our modeling, such contact recombination can lead to a 60% drop in the short-circuit current. To hinder such hole diffusion, we include a gradient doping profile in the n segment to create a front surface barrier. This approach leads to a modest 5% increase in the short-circuit current, limited by Auger recombination with increased doping. A more efficient approach is to switch the n segment to a material with a higher band gap, like GaP. Then, a much smaller number of holes is photogenerated in the n segment, strongly limiting the amount that can diffuse and disappear into the top contact. For a 500 nm long top segment, the GaP approach leads to a 50% higher short-circuit current than with an InP top segment. Such a long top segment could facilitate the fabrication and contacting of nanowire array solar cells. Such design schemes for managing minority carriers could open the door to higher performance in single- and multi-junction nanowire-based solar cells.

Improvement of the physical properties of ZnO/CdTe core-shell nanowire arrays by CdCl2 heat treatment for solar cells

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

CdTe is an important compound semiconductor for solar cells, and its use in nanowire-based heterostructures may become a critical requirement, owing to the potential scarcity of tellurium. The effects of the CdCl2 heat treatment are investigated on the physical properties of vertically aligned ZnO/CdTe core-shell nanowire arrays grown by combining chemical bath deposition with close space sublimation. It is found that recrystallization phenomena are induced by the CdCl2 heat treatment in the CdTe shell composed of nanograins: its crystallinity is improved while grain growth and texture randomization occur. The presence of a tellurium crystalline phase that may decorate grain boundaries is also revealed. The CdCl2 heat treatment further favors the chlorine doping of the CdTe shell with the formation of chlorine A-centers and can result in the passivation of grain boundaries. The absorption properties of ZnO/CdTe core-shell nanowire arrays are highly efficient, and more than 80% of the incident light can be absorbed in the spectral range of the solar irradiance. The resulting photovoltaic properties of solar cells made from ZnO/CdTe core-shell nanowire arrays covered with CuSCN/Au back-side contact are also improved after the CdCl2 heat treatment. However, recombination and trap phenomena are expected to operate, and the collection of the holes that are mainly photo-generated in the CdTe shell from the CuSCN/Au back-side contact is presumably identified as the main critical point in these solar cells. PMID:24910576

Fabrication of cross-shaped Cu-nanowire resistive memory devices using a rapid, scalable, and designable inorganic-nanowire-digital-alignment technique (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Wentao; Lee, Yeongjun; Min, Sung-Yong; Park, Cheolmin; Lee, Tae-Woo

2016-09-01

Resistive random-access memory (RRAM) is a candidate next generation nonvolatile memory due to its high access speed, high density and ease of fabrication. Especially, cross-point-access allows cross-bar arrays that lead to high-density cells in a two-dimensional planar structure. Use of such designs could be compatible with the aggressive scaling down of memory devices, but existing methods such as optical or e-beam lithographic approaches are too complicated. One-dimensional inorganic nanowires (i-NWs) are regarded as ideal components of nanoelectronics to circumvent the limitations of conventional lithographic approaches. However, post-growth alignment of these i-NWs precisely on a large area with individual control is still a difficult challenge. Here, we report a simple, inexpensive, and rapid method to fabricate two-dimensional arrays of perpendicularly-aligned, individually-conductive Cu-NWs with a nanometer-scale CuxO layer sandwiched at each cross point, by using an inorganic-nanowire-digital-alignment technique (INDAT) and a one-step reduction process. In this approach, the oxide layer is self-formed and patterned, so conventional deposition and lithography are not necessary. INDAT eliminates the difficulties of alignment and scalable fabrication that are encountered when using currently-available techniques that use inorganic nanowires. This simple process facilitates fabrication of cross-point nonvolatile memristor arrays. Fabricated arrays had reproducible resistive switching behavior, high on/off current ratio (Ion/Ioff) 10 6 and extensive cycling endurance. This is the first report of memristors with the resistive switching oxide layer self-formed, self-patterned and self-positioned; we envision that the new features of the technique will provide great opportunities for future nano-electronic circuits.

Development of nanowire arrays for neural probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abraham, Jose K.; Xie, Jining; Varadan, Vijay K.

2005-05-01

It is already established that functional electrical stimulation is an effective way to restore many functions of the brain in disabled individuals. The electrical stimulation can be done by using an array of electrodes. Neural probes stimulate or sense the biopotentials mainly through the exposed metal sites. These sites should be smaller relative to the spatial potential distribution so that any potential averaging in the sensing area can be avoided. At the same time, the decrease in size of these sensing sites is limited due to the increase in impedance levels and the thermal noise while decreasing its size. It is known that current density in a planar electrode is not uniform and a higher current density can be observer around the perimeter of the electrodes. Electrical measurements conducted on many nanotubes and nanowires have already proved that it could be possible to use for current density applications and the drawbacks of the present design in neural probes can be overcome by incorporating many nanotechnology solutions. In this paper we present the design and development of nanowire arrays for the neural probe for the multisite contact which has the ability to collect and analyze isolated single unit activity. An array of vertically grown nanowires is used as contact site and many of such arrays can be used for stimulating as well as recording sites. The nanolevel interaction and wireless communication solution can extend to applications involving the treatment of many neurological disorders including Parkinson"s disease, Alzheimer"s disease, spinal injuries and the treatment of blindness and paralyzed patients with minimal or no invasive surgical procedures.

Magnetization mechanisms in ordered arrays of polycrystalline Fe{sub 100−x}Co{sub x} nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Viqueira, M. S.; Bajales, N.; Urreta, S. E.

2015-05-28

Magnetization reversal processes and coercivity mechanisms in polycrystalline Fe{sub 100−x}Co{sub x} nanowire arrays, resulting from an AC electrodeposition process, are investigated. The array coercivity is described on the basis of polarization reversal mechanisms operating in individual wires, under the effect of inter-wire dipolar interactions described by a mean field approximation. For individual wires, a reversal mechanism involving the nucleation and further expansion of domain-wall like spin configuration is considered. The wires have a mean grain size larger than both the nanowire diameter and the exchange length, so localized and non-cooperative nucleation modes are considered. As the Co content increases, themore » alloy saturation polarization gradually decreases, but the coercive field and the relative remanence of the arrays increase, indicating that they are not controlled by the shape anisotropy in all the composition range. The coercive field dependence on the angle between the applied field and the wire long axis is not well described by reversal mechanisms involving nucleation and further displacement of neither vortex nor transverse ideal domain walls. On the contrary, the angular dependence of the coercive field observed at room temperature is well predicted by a model considering nucleation of inverse domains by localized curling, in regions smaller than the grain size, exhibiting quite small aspect ratios as compared to those of the entire nanowire. In arrays with higher Co contents, a transition from an initial (small angle) localized curling nucleation mechanism to another one, involving localized coherent rotation is observed at about π/4.« less

Polyaniline nanowire arrays aligned on nitrogen-doped carbon fabric for high-performance flexible supercapacitors.

PubMed

Yu, Pingping; Li, Yingzhi; Yu, Xinyi; Zhao, Xin; Wu, Lihao; Zhang, Qinghua

2013-09-24

A combination of vertical polyaniline (PANI) nanowire arrays and nitrogen plasma etched carbon fiber cloths (eCFC) was fabricated to create 3D nanostructured PANI/eCFC composites. The small size of the highly ordered PANI nanowires can greatly reduce the scale of the diffusion length, allowing for the improved utilization of electrode materials. A two-electrode flexible supercapacitor based on PANI/eCFC demonstrates a high specific capacitance (1035 F g(-1) at a current density of 1 A g(-1)), good rate capability (88% capacity retention at 8 A g(-1)), and long-term cycle life (10% capacity loss after 5000 cycles). The lightweight, low-cost, flexible composites are promising candidates for use in energy storage device applications.

CdS/CdSe quantum dot shell decorated vertical ZnO nanowire arrays by spin-coating-based SILAR for photoelectrochemical cells and quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Ran; Luo, Qiu-Ping; Chen, Hong-Yan; Yu, Xiao-Yun; Kuang, Dai-Bin; Su, Cheng-Yong

2012-04-23

A CdS/CdSe composite shell is assembled onto the surface of ZnO nanowire arrays with a simple spin-coating-based successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. The as-prepared photoelectrode exhibit a high photocurrent density in photoelectrochemical cells and also generates good power conversion efficiency in quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Nanofabrication of Arrays of Silicon Field Emitters with Vertical Silicon Nanowire Current Limiters and Self-Aligned Gates

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-19

in a dielectric matrix. This paper explores the electronic device applications of dense arrays of silicon nanowires that are embedded in Nanotechnology ... Nanotechnology 27 (2016) 295302 (11pp) doi:10.1088/0957-4484/27/29/295302 Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative...compared 2 Nanotechnology 27 (2016) 295302 S A Guerrera and A I Akinwande to the device reported by Velasquez-Garcia et al, but it also reduces the

High resolution photolithography using arrays of polystyrene and SiO2 micro- and nano-sized spherical lenses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dvoretckaia, L. N.; Mozharov, A. M.; Mukhin, I. S.

2017-11-01

Photolithography mask made of close-packed array of micro- and nano-sized spherical lenses allows to obtain the ordered structures and provides highest “optical resolution/cost” ratio between all existing photolithography and laser direct writing methods. In this letter, we present results of modeling the propagation of a plane wave falling on the array of quartz (SiO2) microspherical lenses and focusing in the image reverse photoresist layer. We present here experimental results on fabrication of ordered arrays of submicron wells and columns and substrate preparation for growth of monocrystalline nanowires on metal surface using photolithography with mask of SiO2 microspheres. Such ordered nano-sized arrays of wells and columns can be used in fabrication of further growth of monocrystalline nanowires, quantum dots and production of plasmon structures.

Magnetic and superconducting nanowires.

PubMed

Piraux, L; Encinas, A; Vila, L; Mátéfi-Tempfli, S; Mátéfi-Tempfli, M; Darques, M; Elhoussine, F; Michotte, S

2005-03-01

This article is focused on the use of electrodeposition and of various nanoporous templates for the fabrication of metallic nanowires made from single metals (Ni, Co, Pb, Sn), alloys (NiFe, CoFe, CoPt), and multilayers (Co/Cu, NiFe/Cu). An overview is given of our recent studies performed on both magnetic and superconducting nanowires. Using different approaches entailing measurements on both single wires and arrays, numerous interesting physical properties have been identified in relation to the nanoscopic dimensions of these materials. Finally, various novel applications of the nanowires are also discussed.

Fibroblasts Cultured on Nanowires Exhibit Low Motility, Impaired Cell Division, and DNA Damage

PubMed Central

Persson, Henrik; Købler, Carsten; Mølhave, Kristian; Samuelson, Lars; Tegenfeldt, Jonas O; Oredsson, Stina; Prinz, Christelle N

2013-01-01

Nanowires are commonly used as tools for interfacing living cells, acting as biomolecule-delivery vectors or electrodes. It is generally assumed that the small size of the nanowires ensures a minimal cellular perturbation, yet the effects of nanowires on cell migration and proliferation remain largely unknown. Fibroblast behaviour on vertical nanowire arrays is investigated, and it is shown that cell motility and proliferation rate are reduced on nanowires. Fibroblasts cultured on long nanowires exhibit failed cell division, DNA damage, increased ROS content and respiration. Using focused ion beam milling and scanning electron microscopy, highly curved but intact nuclear membranes are observed, showing no direct contact between the nanowires and the DNA. The nanowires possibly induce cellular stress and high respiration rates, which trigger the formation of ROS, which in turn results in DNA damage. These results are important guidelines to the design and interpretation of experiments involving nanowire-based transfection and electrical characterization of living cells. PMID:23813871

Nanowires Bending over Backward from Strain Partitioning in Asymmetric Core-Shell Heterostructures.

PubMed

Lewis, Ryan B; Corfdir, Pierre; Küpers, Hanno; Flissikowski, Timur; Brandt, Oliver; Geelhaar, Lutz

2018-04-11

The flexibility and quasi-one-dimensional nature of nanowires offer wide-ranging possibilities for novel heterostructure design and strain engineering. In this work, we realize arrays of extremely and controllably bent nanowires comprising lattice-mismatched and highly asymmetric core-shell heterostructures. Strain sharing across the nanowire heterostructures is sufficient to bend vertical nanowires over backward to contact either neighboring nanowires or the substrate itself, presenting new possibilities for designing nanowire networks and interconnects. Photoluminescence spectroscopy on bent-nanowire heterostructures reveals that spatially varying strain fields induce charge carrier drift toward the tensile-strained outside of the nanowires, and that the polarization response of absorbed and emitted light is controlled by the bending direction. This unconventional strain field is employed for light emission by placing an active region of quantum dots at the outer side of a bent nanowire to exploit the carrier drift and tensile strain. These results demonstrate how bending in nanoheterostructures opens up new degrees of freedom for strain and device engineering.

Control of Heat and Charge Transport in Nanostructured Hybrid Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-07-21

measurements in our groups have yielded device ZT values of 0.4 on thermoelectric modules consisting of vertically oriented silicon nanowires . This is... nanowires with aspect ratio’s exceeding 10,000. Temperature differences as high as 800 °C are achievable for both types. The bulk nanostructured...thermal conductivity of the silicon nanostructures. Specifically, experiments on an array of 20 nm diameter vertically oriented silicon nanowires have

Construction of 3D Metallic Nanostructures on an Arbitrarily Shaped Substrate.

PubMed

Chen, Fei; Li, Jingning; Yu, Fangfang; Zhao, Di; Wang, Fan; Chen, Yanbin; Peng, Ru-Wen; Wang, Mu

2016-09-01

Constructing conductive/magnetic nanowire arrays with 3D features by electrodeposition remains challenging. An unprecedented fabrication approach that allows to construct metallic (cobalt) nanowires on an arbitrarily shaped surface is reported. The spatial separation of nanowires varies from 70 to 3000 nm and the line width changes from 50 to 250 nm depending on growth conditions. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

FDTD modeling of solar energy absorption in silicon branched nanowires.

PubMed

Lundgren, Christin; Lopez, Rene; Redwing, Joan; Melde, Kathleen

2013-05-06

Thin film nanostructured photovoltaic cells are increasing in efficiency and decreasing the cost of solar energy. FDTD modeling of branched nanowire 'forests' are shown to have improved optical absorption in the visible and near-IR spectra over nanowire arrays alone, with a factor of 5 enhancement available at 1000 nm. Alternate BNW tree configurations are presented, achieving a maximum absorption of over 95% at 500 nm.

Selective MBE growth of hexagonal networks of trapezoidal and triangular GaAs nanowires on patterned (1 1 1)B substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamai, Isao; Hasegawa, Hideki

2007-04-01

As a combination of novel hardware architecture and novel system architecture for future ultrahigh-density III-V nanodevice LSIs, the authors' group has recently proposed a hexagonal binary decision diagram (BDD) quantum circuit approach where gate-controlled path switching BDD node devices for a single or few electrons are laid out on a hexagonal nanowire network to realize a logic function. In this paper, attempts are made to establish a method to grow highly dense hexagonal nanowire networks for future BDD circuits by selective molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on (1 1 1)B substrates. The (1 1 1)B orientation is suitable for BDD architecture because of the basic three-fold symmetry of the BDD node device. The growth experiments showed complex evolution of the cross-sectional structures, and it was explained in terms of kinetics determining facet boundaries. Straight arrays of triangular nanowires with 60 nm base width as well as hexagonal arrays of trapezoidal nanowires with a node density of 7.5×10 6 cm -2 were successfully grown with the aid of computer simulation. The result shows feasibility of growing high-density hexagonal networks of GaAs nanowires with precise control of the shape and size.

Design, implementation, and application of a microresonator platform for measuring energy dissipation by internal friction in nanowires.

PubMed

Das, Kaushik; Sosale, Guruprasad; Vengallatore, Srikar

2012-12-21

Accurate measurements of internal friction in nanowires are required for the rational design of high-Q resonators used in nanoelectromechanical systems and for fundamental studies of nanomechanical behavior. However, measuring internal friction is challenging because of the difficulties associated with identifying the contributions of material dissipation to structural damping. Here, we present an approach for overcoming these difficulties by using a composite microresonator platform that is calibrated against the ultimate limits of thermoelastic damping. The platform consists of an array of nanowires patterned at the root of a low-loss single-crystal silicon microcantilever. The structure is processed using a lift-off technique, implemented using electron-beam lithography, to achieve excellent control over the size, alignment, dispersion and location of the nanowire array. As the first application of this platform, we measured internal friction at room temperature in aluminum nanowires that ranged from 50 to 100 nm in thickness and 100 to 400 nm in width. Internal friction is ~0.03 at frequencies of 6.5-21 kHz. Transmission electron microscopy of the nanocrystalline grain structure, and comparison with previously measured values of internal friction in continuous thin films of aluminum, suggest that grain-boundary sliding is a major source of internal friction in these nanowires.

Tailoring the vapor-liquid-solid growth toward the self-assembly of GaAs nanowire junctions.

PubMed

Dai, Xing; Dayeh, Shadi A; Veeramuthu, Vaithianathan; Larrue, Alexandre; Wang, Jian; Su, Haibin; Soci, Cesare

2011-11-09

New insights into understanding and controlling the intriguing phenomena of spontaneous merging (kissing) and the self-assembly of monolithic Y- and T-junctions is demonstrated in the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition growth of GaAs nanowires. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy for determining polar facets was coupled to electrostatic-mechanical modeling and position-controlled synthesis to identify nanowire diameter, length, and pitch, leading to junction formation. When nanowire patterns are designed so that the electrostatic energy resulting from the interaction of polar surfaces exceeds the mechanical energy required to bend the nanowires to the point of contact, their fusion can lead to the self-assembly of monolithic junctions. Understanding and controlling this phenomenon is a great asset for the realization of dense arrays of vertical nanowire devices and opens up new ways toward the large scale integration of nanowire quantum junctions or nanowire intracellular probes.

Controllable Synthesis of Ordered Mesoporous Mo2C@Graphitic Carbon Core-Shell Nanowire Arrays for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

PubMed

Zhu, Jiahui; Yao, Yan; Chen, Zhi; Zhang, Aijian; Zhou, Mengyuan; Guo, Jun; Wu, Winston Duo; Chen, Xiao Dong; Li, Yanguang; Wu, Zhangxiong

2018-06-06

Mo 2 C is a possible substitute to Pt-group metals for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Both support-free and carbon-supported Mo 2 C nanomaterials with improved HER performance have been developed. Herein, distinct from prior research, novel ordered mesoporous core-shell nanowires with Mo 2 C cores and ultrathin graphitic carbon (GC) shells are rationally synthesized and demonstrated to be excellent for HER. The synthesis is fulfilled via a hard-templating approach combining in situ carburization and localized carbon deposition. Phosphomolybdic acid confined in the SBA-15 template is first converted to MoO 2 , which is then in situ carburized to Mo 2 C nanowires with abundant surface defects. Simultaneously, GC layer (the thickness is down to ∼1.0 nm in most areas) is controlled to be locally deposited on the Mo 2 C surface because of its strong affinity with carbon and catalytic effect on graphitization. Removal of the template results in the Mo 2 C@GC core-shell nanowire arrays with the structural properties well-characterized. They exhibit excellent performance for HER with a low overpotential of 125 mV at 10 mA cm -2 , a small Tafel slope of 66 mV dec -1 , and an excellent stability in acidic electrolytes. The influences of several factors, especially the spatial configuration and relative contents of the GC and Mo 2 C components, on HER performance are elucidated with control experiments. The excellent HER performance of the mesoporous Mo 2 C@GC core-shell nanowire arrays originates from the rough Mo 2 C nanowires with diverse active sites and short charge-transfer paths and the ultrathin GC shells with improved surface area, electronic conductivity, and stabilizing effect on Mo 2 C.

Quantitative and simultaneous analysis of the polarity of polycrystalline ZnO seed layers and related nanowires grown by wet chemical deposition.

PubMed

Guillemin, Sophie; Parize, Romain; Carabetta, Joseph; Cantelli, Valentina; Albertini, David; Gautier, Brice; Brémond, Georges; Fong, Dillon D; Renevier, Hubert; Consonni, Vincent

2017-03-03

The polarity in ZnO nanowires is an important issue since it strongly affects surface configuration and reactivity, nucleation and growth, electro-optical properties, and nanoscale-engineering device performances. However, measuring statistically the polarity of ZnO nanowire arrays grown by chemical bath deposition and elucidating its correlation with the polarity of the underneath polycrystalline ZnO seed layer grown by the sol-gel process represents a major difficulty. To address that issue, we combine resonant x-ray diffraction (XRD) at Zn K-edge using synchrotron radiation with piezoelectric force microscopy and polarity-sensitive chemical etching to statistically investigate the polarity of more than 10 7 nano-objects both on the macroscopic and local microscopic scales, respectively. By using high temperature annealing under an argon atmosphere, it is shown that the compact, highly c-axis oriented ZnO seed layer is more than 92% Zn-polar and that only a few small O-polar ZnO grains with an amount less than 8% are formed. Correlatively, the resulting ZnO nanowires are also found to be Zn-polar, indicating that their polarity is transferred from the c-axis oriented ZnO grains acting as nucleation sites in the seed layer. These findings pave the way for the development of new strategies to form unipolar ZnO nanowire arrays as a requirement for a number of nanoscale-engineering devices like piezoelectric nanogenerators. They also highlight the great advantage of resonant XRD as a macroscopic, non-destructive method to simultaneously and statistically measure the polarity of ZnO nanowire arrays and of the underneath ZnO seed layer.

Quantitative and simultaneous analysis of the polarity of polycrystalline ZnO seed layers and related nanowires grown by wet chemical deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guillemin, Sophie; Parize, Romain; Carabetta, Joseph; Cantelli, Valentina; Albertini, David; Gautier, Brice; Brémond, Georges; Fong, Dillon D.; Renevier, Hubert; Consonni, Vincent

2017-03-01

The polarity in ZnO nanowires is an important issue since it strongly affects surface configuration and reactivity, nucleation and growth, electro-optical properties, and nanoscale-engineering device performances. However, measuring statistically the polarity of ZnO nanowire arrays grown by chemical bath deposition and elucidating its correlation with the polarity of the underneath polycrystalline ZnO seed layer grown by the sol-gel process represents a major difficulty. To address that issue, we combine resonant x-ray diffraction (XRD) at Zn K-edge using synchrotron radiation with piezoelectric force microscopy and polarity-sensitive chemical etching to statistically investigate the polarity of more than 107 nano-objects both on the macroscopic and local microscopic scales, respectively. By using high temperature annealing under an argon atmosphere, it is shown that the compact, highly c-axis oriented ZnO seed layer is more than 92% Zn-polar and that only a few small O-polar ZnO grains with an amount less than 8% are formed. Correlatively, the resulting ZnO nanowires are also found to be Zn-polar, indicating that their polarity is transferred from the c-axis oriented ZnO grains acting as nucleation sites in the seed layer. These findings pave the way for the development of new strategies to form unipolar ZnO nanowire arrays as a requirement for a number of nanoscale-engineering devices like piezoelectric nanogenerators. They also highlight the great advantage of resonant XRD as a macroscopic, non-destructive method to simultaneously and statistically measure the polarity of ZnO nanowire arrays and of the underneath ZnO seed layer.

Quantitative and simultaneous analysis of the polarity of polycrystalline ZnO seed layers and related nanowires grown by wet chemical deposition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guillemin, Sophie; Parize, Romain; Carabetta, Joseph

The polarity in ZnO nanowires is an important issue since it strongly affects surface configuration and reactivity, nucleation and growth, electro-optical properties, and nanoscaleengineering device performances. However, measuring statistically the polarity of ZnO nanowire arrays grown by chemical bath deposition and elucidating its correlation with the polarity of the underneath polycrystalline ZnO seed layer grown by the sol–gel process represents a major difficulty. To address that issue, we combine resonant x-ray diffraction (XRD) at Zn K-edge using synchrotron radiation with piezoelectric force microscopy and polarity-sensitive chemical etching to statistically investigate the polarity of more than 107 nano-objects both on themore » macroscopic and local microscopic scales, respectively. By using high temperature annealing under an argon atmosphere, it is shown that the compact, highly c-axis oriented ZnO seed layer is more than 92% Zn-polar and that only a few small O-polar ZnO grains with an amount less than 8% are formed. Correlatively, the resulting ZnO nanowires are also found to be Zn-polar, indicating that their polarity is transferred from the c-axis oriented ZnO grains acting as nucleation sites in the seed layer. These findings pave the way for the development of new strategies to form unipolar ZnO nanowire arrays as a requirement for a number of nanoscaleengineering devices like piezoelectric nanogenerators. They also highlight the great advantage of resonant XRD as a macroscopic, non-destructive method to simultaneously and statistically measure the polarity of ZnO nanowire arrays and of the underneath ZnO seed layer.« less

Programmable nanowire circuits for nanoprocessors.

PubMed

Yan, Hao; Choe, Hwan Sung; Nam, SungWoo; Hu, Yongjie; Das, Shamik; Klemic, James F; Ellenbogen, James C; Lieber, Charles M

2011-02-10

A nanoprocessor constructed from intrinsically nanometre-scale building blocks is an essential component for controlling memory, nanosensors and other functions proposed for nanosystems assembled from the bottom up. Important steps towards this goal over the past fifteen years include the realization of simple logic gates with individually assembled semiconductor nanowires and carbon nanotubes, but with only 16 devices or fewer and a single function for each circuit. Recently, logic circuits also have been demonstrated that use two or three elements of a one-dimensional memristor array, although such passive devices without gain are difficult to cascade. These circuits fall short of the requirements for a scalable, multifunctional nanoprocessor owing to challenges in materials, assembly and architecture on the nanoscale. Here we describe the design, fabrication and use of programmable and scalable logic tiles for nanoprocessors that surmount these hurdles. The tiles were built from programmable, non-volatile nanowire transistor arrays. Ge/Si core/shell nanowires coupled to designed dielectric shells yielded single-nanowire, non-volatile field-effect transistors (FETs) with uniform, programmable threshold voltages and the capability to drive cascaded elements. We developed an architecture to integrate the programmable nanowire FETs and define a logic tile consisting of two interconnected arrays with 496 functional configurable FET nodes in an area of ∼960 μm(2). The logic tile was programmed and operated first as a full adder with a maximal voltage gain of ten and input-output voltage matching. Then we showed that the same logic tile can be reprogrammed and used to demonstrate full-subtractor, multiplexer, demultiplexer and clocked D-latch functions. These results represent a significant advance in the complexity and functionality of nanoelectronic circuits built from the bottom up with a tiled architecture that could be cascaded to realize fully integrated nanoprocessors with computing, memory and addressing capabilities.

Flexible ultraviolet photodetectors based on ZnO-SnO2 heterojunction nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lou, Zheng; Yang, Xiaoli; Chen, Haoran; Liang, Zhongzhu

2018-02-01

A ZnO-SnO2 nanowires (NWs) array, as a metal oxide semiconductor, was successfully synthesized by a near-field electrospinning method for the applications as high performance ultraviolet photodetectors. Ultraviolet photodetectors based on a single nanowire exhibited excellent photoresponse properties to 300 nm ultraviolet light illumination including ultrahigh I on/I off ratios (up to 103), good stability and reproducibility because of the separation between photo-generated electron-hole pairs. Moreover, the NWs array shows an enhanced photosensing performance. Flexible photodetectors on the PI substrates with similar tendency properties were also fabricated. In addition, under various bending curvatures and cycles, the as-fabricated flexible photodetectors revealed mechanical flexibility and good stable electrical properties, showing that they have the potential for applications in future flexible photoelectron devices. Project supported by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 61504136) and the State Key Laboratory of Applied Optics, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine and Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Optimized efficiency in InP nanowire solar cells with accurate 1D analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yang; Kivisaari, Pyry; Pistol, Mats-Erik; Anttu, Nicklas

2018-01-01

Semiconductor nanowire arrays are a promising candidate for next generation solar cells due to enhanced absorption and reduced material consumption. However, to optimize their performance, time consuming three-dimensional (3D) opto-electronics modeling is usually performed. Here, we develop an accurate one-dimensional (1D) modeling method for the analysis. The 1D modeling is about 400 times faster than 3D modeling and allows direct application of concepts from planar pn-junctions on the analysis of nanowire solar cells. We show that the superposition principle can break down in InP nanowires due to strong surface recombination in the depletion region, giving rise to an IV-behavior similar to that with low shunt resistance. Importantly, we find that the open-circuit voltage of nanowire solar cells is typically limited by contact leakage. Therefore, to increase the efficiency, we have investigated the effect of high-bandgap GaP carrier-selective contact segments at the top and bottom of the InP nanowire and we find that GaP contact segments improve the solar cell efficiency. Next, we discuss the merit of p-i-n and p-n junction concepts in nanowire solar cells. With GaP carrier selective top and bottom contact segments in the InP nanowire array, we find that a p-n junction design is superior to a p-i-n junction design. We predict a best efficiency of 25% for a surface recombination velocity of 4500 cm s-1, corresponding to a non-radiative lifetime of 1 ns in p-n junction cells. The developed 1D model can be used for general modeling of axial p-n and p-i-n junctions in semiconductor nanowires. This includes also LED applications and we expect faster progress in device modeling using our method.

Optimized efficiency in InP nanowire solar cells with accurate 1D analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Yang; Kivisaari, Pyry; Pistol, Mats-Erik; Anttu, Nicklas

2018-01-26

Semiconductor nanowire arrays are a promising candidate for next generation solar cells due to enhanced absorption and reduced material consumption. However, to optimize their performance, time consuming three-dimensional (3D) opto-electronics modeling is usually performed. Here, we develop an accurate one-dimensional (1D) modeling method for the analysis. The 1D modeling is about 400 times faster than 3D modeling and allows direct application of concepts from planar pn-junctions on the analysis of nanowire solar cells. We show that the superposition principle can break down in InP nanowires due to strong surface recombination in the depletion region, giving rise to an IV-behavior similar to that with low shunt resistance. Importantly, we find that the open-circuit voltage of nanowire solar cells is typically limited by contact leakage. Therefore, to increase the efficiency, we have investigated the effect of high-bandgap GaP carrier-selective contact segments at the top and bottom of the InP nanowire and we find that GaP contact segments improve the solar cell efficiency. Next, we discuss the merit of p-i-n and p-n junction concepts in nanowire solar cells. With GaP carrier selective top and bottom contact segments in the InP nanowire array, we find that a p-n junction design is superior to a p-i-n junction design. We predict a best efficiency of 25% for a surface recombination velocity of 4500 cm s -1 , corresponding to a non-radiative lifetime of 1 ns in p-n junction cells. The developed 1D model can be used for general modeling of axial p-n and p-i-n junctions in semiconductor nanowires. This includes also LED applications and we expect faster progress in device modeling using our method.

Highly catalytic and stabilized titanium nitride nanowire array-decorated graphite felt electrodes for all vanadium redox flow batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, L.; Zhao, T. S.; Zeng, L.; Zeng, Y. K.; Jiang, H. R.

2017-02-01

In this work, we prepare a highly catalytic and stabilized titanium nitride (TiN) nanowire array-decorated graphite felt electrode for all vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). Free-standing TiN nanowires are synthesized by a two-step process, in which TiO2 nanowires are first grown onto the surface of graphite felt via a seed-assisted hydrothermal method and then converted to TiN through nitridation reaction. When applied to VRFBs, the prepared electrode enables the electrolyte utilization and energy efficiency to be 73.9% and 77.4% at a high current density of 300 mA cm-2, which are correspondingly 43.3% and 15.4% higher than that of battery assembled with a pristine electrode. More impressively, the present battery exhibits good stability and high capacity retention during the cycle test. The superior performance is ascribed to the significant improvement in the electrochemical kinetics and enlarged active sites toward V3+/V2+ redox reaction.

Piezoelectric-nanowire-enabled power source for driving wireless microelectronics.

PubMed

Xu, Sheng; Hansen, Benjamin J; Wang, Zhong Lin

2010-10-19

Harvesting energy from irregular/random mechanical actions in variable and uncontrollable environments is an effective approach for powering wireless mobile electronics to meet a wide range of applications in our daily life. Piezoelectric nanowires are robust and can be stimulated by tiny physical motions/disturbances over a range of frequencies. Here, we demonstrate the first chemical epitaxial growth of PbZr(x)Ti(1-x)O(3) (PZT) nanowire arrays at 230 °C and their application as high-output energy converters. The nanogenerators fabricated using a single array of PZT nanowires produce a peak output voltage of ~0.7 V, current density of 4 μA cm(-2) and an average power density of 2.8 mW cm(-3). The alternating current output of the nanogenerator is rectified, and the harvested energy is stored and later used to light up a commercial laser diode. This work demonstrates the feasibility of using nanogenerators for powering mobile and even personal microelectronics.

Construction of high-capacitance 3D CoO@polypyrrole nanowire array electrode for aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor.

PubMed

Zhou, Cheng; Zhang, Yangwei; Li, Yuanyuan; Liu, Jinping

2013-05-08

We have developed a supercapacitor electrode composed of well-aligned CoO nanowire array grown on 3D nickel foam with polypyrrole (PPy) uniformly immobilized onto or firmly anchored to each nanowire surface to boost the pseudocapacitive performance. The electrode architecture takes advantage of the high electrochemical activity from both the CoO and PPy, the high electronic conductivity of PPy, and the short ion diffusion pathway in ordered mesoporous nanowires. These merits together with the elegant synergy between CoO and PPy lead to a high specific capacitance of 2223 F g(-1) approaching the theoretical value, good rate capability, and cycling stability (99.8% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles). An aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor device with a maximum voltage of 1.8 V fabricated by using our hybrid array as the positive electrode and activated carbon film as the negative electrode has demonstrated high energy density (~43.5 Wh kg(-1)), high power density (~5500 W kg(-1) at 11.8 Wh kg(-1)) and outstanding cycleability (~20,000 times). After charging for only ~10 s, two such 4 cm(2) asymmetric supercapacitors connected in series can efficiently power 5 mm diameter red, yellow, and green round LED indicators (lasting for 1 h for red LED) and drive a mini 130 rotation-motor robustly.

Ultrathin Au-Alloy Nanowires at the Liquid-Liquid Interface.

PubMed

Chatterjee, Dipanwita; Shetty, Shwetha; Müller-Caspary, Knut; Grieb, Tim; Krause, Florian F; Schowalter, Marco; Rosenauer, Andreas; Ravishankar, Narayanan

2018-03-14

Ultrathin bimetallic nanowires are of importance and interest for applications in electronic devices such as sensors and heterogeneous catalysts. In this work, we have designed a new, highly reproducible and generalized wet chemical method to synthesize uniform and monodispersed Au-based alloy (AuCu, AuPd, and AuPt) nanowires with tunable composition using microwave-assisted reduction at the liquid-liquid interface. These ultrathin alloy nanowires are below 4 nm in diameter and about 2 μm long. Detailed microstructural characterization shows that the wires have an face centred cubic (FCC) crystal structure, and they have low-energy twin-boundary and stacking-fault defects along the growth direction. The wires exhibit remarkable thermal and mechanical stability that is critical for important applications. The alloy wires exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation in an alkaline medium.

Ultra compact triplexing filters based on SOI nanowire AWGs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiashun, Zhang; Junming, An; Lei, Zhao; Shijiao, Song; Liangliang, Wang; Jianguang, Li; Hongjie, Wang; Yuanda, Wu; Xiongwei, Hu

2011-04-01

An ultra compact triplexing filter was designed based on a silicon on insulator (SOI) nanowire arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) for fiber-to-the-home FTTH. The simulation results revealed that the design performed well in the sense of having a good triplexing function. The designed SOI nanowire AWGs were fabricated using ultraviolet lithography and induced coupler plasma etching. The experimental results showed that the crosstalk was less than -15 dB, and the 3 dB-bandwidth was 11.04 nm. The peak wavelength output from ports a, c, and b were 1455, 1510 and 1300 nm, respectively, which deviated from our original expectations. The deviation of the wavelength is mainly caused by 45 nm width deviation of the arrayed waveguides during the course of the fabrication process and partly caused by material dispersion.

Copper Antimonide Nanowire Array Lithium Ion Anodes Stabilized by Electrolyte Additives.

PubMed

Jackson, Everett D; Prieto, Amy L

2016-11-09

Nanowires of electrochemically active electrode materials for lithium ion batteries represent a unique system that allows for intensive investigations of surface phenomena. In particular, highly ordered nanowire arrays produced by electrodeposition into anodic aluminum oxide templates can lead to new insights into a material's electrochemical performance by providing a high-surface-area electrode with negligible volume expansion induced pulverization. Here we show that for the Li-Cu x Sb ternary system, stabilizing the surface chemistry is the most critical factor for promoting long electrode life. The resulting solid electrolyte interphase is analyzed using a mix of electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and lithium ion battery half-cell testing to provide a better understanding of the importance of electrolyte composition on this multicomponent alloy anode material.

A lithographically patterned capacitor with horizontal nanowires of length 2.5 mm.

PubMed

Yan, Wenbo; Thai, Mya Le; Dutta, Rajen; Li, Xiaowei; Xing, Wendong; Penner, Reginald M

2014-04-09

A symmetrical hybrid capacitor consisting of interdigitated, horizontal nanowires is described. Each of the 750 nanowires within the capacitor is 2.5 mm in length, consisting of a gold nanowire core (40 × ≈200 nm) encapsulated within a hemicylindrical shell of δ-phase MnO2 (thickness = 60-220 nm). These Au@δ-MnO2 nanowires are patterned onto a planar glass surface using lithographically patterned nanowire electrodeposition (LPNE). A power density of 165 kW/kg and energy density of 24 Wh/kg were obtained for a typical nanowire array in which the MnO2 shell thickness was 68 ± 8 nm. Capacitors incorporating these ultralong nanowires lost ≈10% of their capacity rapidly, during the first 20 discharge cycles, and then retained 90% of their maximum capacity for the ensuing 6000 cycles. The ability of capacitors consisting of ultralong Au@δ-MnO2 nanowires to simultaneously deliver high power and high capacity with acceptable cycle life is demonstrated.

Polyaniline nanowire array encapsulated in titania nanotubes as a superior electrode for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Xie, Keyu; Li, Jie; Lai, Yanqing; Zhang, Zhi'an; Liu, Yexiang; Zhang, Guoge; Huang, Haitao

2011-05-01

Conducting polymer with 1D nanostructure exhibits excellent electrochemical performances but a poor cyclability that limits its use in supercapacitors. In this work, a novel composite electrode made of polyaniline nanowire-titania nanotube array was synthesized via a simple and inexpensive electrochemical route by electropolymerizing aniline onto an anodized titania nanotube array. The specific capacitance was as high as 732 F g(-1) at 1 A g(-1), which remained at 543 F g(-1) when the current density was increased by 20 times. 74% of the maximum energy density (36.6 Wh kg(-1)) was maintained even at a high power density of 6000 W kg(-1). An excellent long cycle life of the electrode was observed with a retention of ∼86% of the initial specific capacitance after 2000 cycles. The good electrochemical performance was attributed to the unique microstructure of the electrode with disordered PANI nanowire arrays encapsulated inside the TiO(2) nanotubes, providing high surface area, fast diffusion path for ions and long-term cycle stability. Such a nanocomposite electrode is attractive for supercapacitor applications. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Plasmonic Biosensor Based on Vertical Arrays of Gold Nanoantennas.

PubMed

Klinghammer, Stephanie; Uhlig, Tino; Patrovsky, Fabian; Böhm, Matthias; Schütt, Julian; Pütz, Nils; Baraban, Larysa; Eng, Lukas M; Cuniberti, Gianaurelio

2018-06-25

Implementing large arrays of gold nanowires as functional elements of a plasmonic biosensor is an important task for future medical diagnostic applications. Here we present a microfluidic-channel-integrated sensor for the label-free detection of biomolecules, relying on localized surface plasmon resonances. Large arrays (∼1 cm 2 ) of vertically aligned and densely packed gold nanorods to receive, locally confine, and amplify the external optical signal are used to allow for reliable biosensing. We accomplish this by monitoring the change of the optical nanostructure resonance in the presence of biomolecules within the tight focus area above the nanoantennas, combined with a surface treatment of the nanowires for a specific binding of the target molecules. As a first application, we detect the binding kinetics of two distinct DNA strands as well as the following hybridization of two complementary strands (cDNA) with different lengths (25 and 100 bp). Upon immobilization, a redshift of 1 nm was detected; further backfilling and hybridization led to a peak shift of additional 2 and 5 nm for 25 and 100 bp, respectively. We believe that this work gives deeper insight into the functional understanding and technical implementation of a large array of gold nanowires for future medical applications.

Investigation of CuInSe2 nanowire arrays with core-shell structure electrodeposited at various duty cycles into anodic alumina templates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Yu-Song; Wang, Na-Fu; Tsai, Yu-Zen; Lin, Jia-Jun; Houng, Mau-Phon

2017-02-01

Copper indium selenide (CuInSe2) nanowire (NW) arrays were prepared at various electrolyte duty cycles by filling anodic alumina templates through the pulsed electrodeposition technique. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the nucleation mechanism of CuInSe2 NW arrays was affected by the electrodeposition duty cycle. Moreover, SEM images showed that the diameter and length of the NWs were 80 nm and 2 μm, respectively. Furthermore, PEDOT/CuInSe2 NW core-shell arrays were fabricated using surfactant-modified CuInSe2 NW surfaces showing the lotus effect. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed that a core-shell structure was achieved. Current-voltage plots revealed that the CuInSe2 NW arrays were p-type semiconductors; moreover, the core-shell structure improved the diode ideality factor from 3.91 to 2.63.

Crosstalk-free operation of multielement superconducting nanowire single-photon detector array integrated with single-flux-quantum circuit in a 0.1 W Gifford-McMahon cryocooler.

PubMed

Yamashita, Taro; Miki, Shigehito; Terai, Hirotaka; Makise, Kazumasa; Wang, Zhen

2012-07-15

We demonstrate the successful operation of a multielement superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SSPD) array integrated with a single-flux-quantum (SFQ) readout circuit in a compact 0.1 W Gifford-McMahon cryocooler. A time-resolved readout technique, where output signals from each element enter the SFQ readout circuit with finite time intervals, revealed crosstalk-free operation of the four-element SSPD array connected with the SFQ readout circuit. The timing jitter and the system detection efficiency were measured to be 50 ps and 11.4%, respectively, which were comparable to the performance of practical single-pixel SSPD systems.

Engineered ZnO nanowire arrays using different nanopatterning techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volk, János; Szabó, Zoltán; Erdélyi, Róbert; Khánh, Nguyen Q.

2012-02-01

The impact of various masking patterns and template layers on the wet chemically grown vertical ZnO nanowire arrays was investigated. The nanowires/nanorods were seeded at nucleation windows which were patterned in a mask layer using various techniques such as electron beam lithography, nanosphere photolithography, and atomic force microscope type nanolithography. The compared ZnO templates included single crystals, epitaxial layer, and textured polycrystalline films. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the alignment and crystal orientation of the nanowires were dictated by the underlying seed layer, while their geometry can be tuned by the parameters of the certain nanopatterning technique and of the wet chemical process. The comparison of the alternative nanolithography techniques showed that using direct writing methods the diameter of the ordered ZnO nanowires can be as low as 30-40 nm at a density of 100- 1000 NW/μm2 in a very limited area (10 μm2-1 mm2). Nanosphere photolithography assisted growth, on the other hand, favors thicker nanopillars (~400 nm) and enables large-area, low-cost patterning (1-100 cm2). These alternative lowtemperature fabrication routes can be used for different novel optoelectronic devices, such as nanorod based ultraviolet photodiode, light emitting device, and waveguide laser.

1.55 µm emission from a single III-nitride top-down and site-controlled nanowire quantum disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Qiming; Yan, Changling; Qu, Yi

2017-07-01

InN/InGaN single quantum well (SQW) was fabricated on 100 nm GaN buffer layer which was deposited on GaN template by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). The In composition and the surface morphology were measured by x-ray diffusion (XRD) and atom force microscope (AFM), respectively. Afterwards, the sample was fabricated into site-controlled nanowires arrays by hot-embossing nano-imprint lithography (HE-NIL) and ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography (UV-NIL). The nanowires were uniform along the c-axis and aligned periodically as presented by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The single nanowire showed disk-in-a-wire structure by high angle annular dark field (HAADF) and an In-rich or Ga deficient region was observed by energy dispersive x-ray spectrum (EDXS). The optical properties of the SQW film and single nanowire were measured using micro photoluminescence (µ-PL) spectroscopy. The stimulating light wavelength was 632.8 nm which was emitted from a He-Ne laser and the detector was a liquid nitrogen cooled InGaAs detector. A blue peak shift from the film material to the nanowire was observed. This was due to the quantum confinement Stark Effect. More importantly, the 1.55 µm emission was given from the single disk-in-a-wire structure at room temperature. We believe the arrays of such nanowires may be useful for quantum communication in the future.

Nanowire-Based Electrode for Acute In Vivo Neural Recordings in the Brain

PubMed Central

Suyatin, Dmitry B.; Wallman, Lars; Thelin, Jonas; Prinz, Christelle N.; Jörntell, Henrik; Samuelson, Lars; Montelius, Lars; Schouenborg, Jens

2013-01-01

We present an electrode, based on structurally controlled nanowires, as a first step towards developing a useful nanostructured device for neurophysiological measurements in vivo. The sensing part of the electrode is made of a metal film deposited on top of an array of epitaxially grown gallium phosphide nanowires. We achieved the first functional testing of the nanowire-based electrode by performing acute in vivo recordings in the rat cerebral cortex and withstanding multiple brain implantations. Due to the controllable geometry of the nanowires, this type of electrode can be used as a model system for further analysis of the functional properties of nanostructured neuronal interfaces in vivo. PMID:23431387

Facile synthesis of highly active PdAu nanowire networks as self-supported electrocatalyst for ethanol electrooxidation.

PubMed

Hong, Wei; Wang, Jin; Wang, Erkang

2014-06-25

In recent years, direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) are attracting increasing attention owing to their wide applications. However, a significant challenge in the development of DEFC technology is the urgent need for highly active anode catalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction. In this work, a facile and reproducible method for the high-yield synthesis of PdAu nanowire networks is demonstrated. The whole synthetic process is very simple, just mixing Na2PdCl4, HAuCl4, and KBr in an aqueous solution and using polyvinylpyrrolidone as a protective reagent while sodium borohydride as a reductant. The whole synthetic process can be simply performed at room temperature and completed in 30 min, which can greatly simplify the synthetic process and lower the preparation cost. Electrochemical catalytic measurement results prove that the as-prepared catalysts exhibit dramatically enhanced electrocatalytic activity for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline solution. The facile synthetic process and excellent catalytic performance of the as-prepared catalysts demonstrate that they can be used as a promising catalyst for DEFCs.

Ultrahigh Density Array of Vertically Aligned Small-molecular Organic Nanowires on Arbitrary Substrates

PubMed Central

Starko-Bowes, Ryan; Pramanik, Sandipan

2013-01-01

In recent years π-conjugated organic semiconductors have emerged as the active material in a number of diverse applications including large-area, low-cost displays, photovoltaics, printable and flexible electronics and organic spin valves. Organics allow (a) low-cost, low-temperature processing and (b) molecular-level design of electronic, optical and spin transport characteristics. Such features are not readily available for mainstream inorganic semiconductors, which have enabled organics to carve a niche in the silicon-dominated electronics market. The first generation of organic-based devices has focused on thin film geometries, grown by physical vapor deposition or solution processing. However, it has been realized that organic nanostructures can be used to enhance performance of above-mentioned applications and significant effort has been invested in exploring methods for organic nanostructure fabrication. A particularly interesting class of organic nanostructures is the one in which vertically oriented organic nanowires, nanorods or nanotubes are organized in a well-regimented, high-density array. Such structures are highly versatile and are ideal morphological architectures for various applications such as chemical sensors, split-dipole nanoantennas, photovoltaic devices with radially heterostructured "core-shell" nanowires, and memory devices with a cross-point geometry. Such architecture is generally realized by a template-directed approach. In the past this method has been used to grow metal and inorganic semiconductor nanowire arrays. More recently π-conjugated polymer nanowires have been grown within nanoporous templates. However, these approaches have had limited success in growing nanowires of technologically important π-conjugated small molecular weight organics, such as tris-8-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq3), rubrene and methanofullerenes, which are commonly used in diverse areas including organic displays, photovoltaics, thin film transistors and spintronics. Recently we have been able to address the above-mentioned issue by employing a novel "centrifugation-assisted" approach. This method therefore broadens the spectrum of organic materials that can be patterned in a vertically ordered nanowire array. Due to the technological importance of Alq3, rubrene and methanofullerenes, our method can be used to explore how the nanostructuring of these materials affects the performance of aforementioned organic devices. The purpose of this article is to describe the technical details of the above-mentioned protocol, demonstrate how this process can be extended to grow small-molecular organic nanowires on arbitrary substrates and finally, to discuss the critical steps, limitations, possible modifications, trouble-shooting and future applications. PMID:23852129

Rectifying properties of p-GaN nanowires and an n-silicon heterojunction vertical diode.

PubMed

Manna, Sujit; Ashok, Vishal D; De, S K

2010-12-01

The heterojunction of a Pd-doped p-GaN nanowire and n-Si (100) is fabricated vertically by the vapor-liquid-solid method. The average diameter of the nanowire is 40 nm. The vertical junction reveals a significantly high rectification ratio of 10(3) at 5 V, a moderate ideality factor of ∼2, and a high breakdown voltage of ∼40 V. The charge transport across the p-n junction is dominated by the electron-hole recombination process. The voltage dependence of capacitance indicates a graded-type junction. The resistance of the junction decreases with an increase in the bias voltage confirmed by impedance measurements.

Synthesis of high crystallinity ZnO nanowire array on polymer substrate and flexible fiber-based sensor.

PubMed

Liu, Jinmei; Wu, Weiwei; Bai, Suo; Qin, Yong

2011-11-01

Well aligned ZnO nanowire (NW) arrays are grown on Kevlar fiber and Kapton film via the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. These NWs have better crystallinity than those synthesized through the low-temperature hydrothermal method. The average length and diameter of ZnO NWs grown on Kevlar fiber can be controlled from 0.5 to 2.76 μm and 30 to 300 nm, respectively. A flexible ultraviolet (UV) sensor based on Kevlar fiber/ZnO NWs hybrid structure is made to detect UV illumination quantificationally.

Fabrication of amorphous silica nanowires via oxygen plasma treatment of polymers on silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhuojie; She, Didi; Chen, Qinghua; Li, Yanmei; Wu, Wengang

2018-02-01

We demonstrate a facile non-catalytic method of fabricating silica nanowires at room temperature. Different polymers including photoresists, parylene C and polystyrene are patterned into pedestals on the silicon substrates. The silica nanowires are obtained via the oxygen plasma treatment on those pedestals. Compared to traditional strategies of silica nanowire fabrication, this method is much simpler and low-cost. Through designing the proper initial patterns and plasma process parameters, the method can be used to fabricate various regiment nano-scale silica structure arrays in any laboratory with a regular oxygen-plasma-based cleaner or reactive-ion-etching equipment.

Lithography-free fabrication of silicon nanowire and nanohole arrays by metal-assisted chemical etching

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

We demonstrated a novel, simple, and low-cost method to fabricate silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays and silicon nanohole (SiNH) arrays based on thin silver (Ag) film dewetting process combined with metal-assisted chemical etching. Ag mesh with holes and semispherical Ag nanoparticles can be prepared by simple thermal annealing of Ag thin film on a silicon substrate. Both the diameter and the distribution of mesh holes as well as the nanoparticles can be manipulated by the film thickness and the annealing temperature. The silicon underneath Ag coverage was etched off with the catalysis of metal in an aqueous solution containing HF and an oxidant, which form silicon nanostructures (either SiNW or SiNH arrays). The morphologies of the corresponding etched SiNW and SiNH arrays matched well with that of Ag holes and nanoparticles. This novel method allows lithography-free fabrication of the SiNW and SiNH arrays with control of the size and distribution. PMID:23557325

Metal Catalyst for Low-Temperature Growth of Controlled Zinc Oxide Nanowires on Arbitrary Substrates

PubMed Central

Kim, Baek Hyun; Kwon, Jae W.

2014-01-01

Zinc oxide nanowires generated by hydrothermal method present superior physical and chemical characteristics. Quality control of the growth has been very challenging and controlled growth is only achievable under very limited conditions using homogeneous seed layers with high temperature processes. Here we show the controlled ZnO nanowire growth on various organic and inorganic materials without the requirement of a homogeneous seed layer and a high temperature process. We also report the discovery of an important role of the electronegativity in the nanowire growth on arbitrary substrates. Using heterogeneous metal oxide interlayers with low-temperature hydrothermal methods, we demonstrate well-controlled ZnO nanowire arrays and single nanowires on flat or curved surfaces. A metal catalyst and heterogeneous metal oxide interlayers are found to determine lattice-match with ZnO and to largely influence the controlled alignment. These findings will contribute to the development of novel nanodevices using controlled nanowires. PMID:24625584

Magnetic field-directed hybrid anisotropic nanocomposites.

PubMed

Gong, Maogang; Zhang, Jingming; Ren, Shenqiang

2018-08-24

A facile bottom-up approach is developed to grow magnetic metallic Cu/FeCo (core/shell) nanowires, where their distribution and orientation can be controlled by magnetic field. The nanocomposites consisting of a ferroelectric polymer matrix and magnetic nanowire arrays exhibit the orientation-controlled anisotropy and interfacial magnetoelectric coupling effect.

Hierarchical Branched Vanadium Oxide Nanorod@Si Nanowire Architecture for High Performance Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Li, Zhaodong; Wang, Fei; Wang, Xudong

2017-01-01

Vanadium oxide (VO x ) nanorods are uniformly synthesized on dense Si nanowire arrays. This 3D hierarchical nanoarchitecture offers a novel high-performance supercapacitor electrode design with significantly improved specific capacitance and high-rate capability. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Amber light-emitting diode comprising a group III-nitride nanowire active region

DOEpatents

Wang, George T.; Li, Qiming; Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J.; Koleske, Daniel

2014-07-22

A temperature stable (color and efficiency) III-nitride based amber (585 nm) light-emitting diode is based on a novel hybrid nanowire-planar structure. The arrays of GaN nanowires enable radial InGaN/GaN quantum well LED structures with high indium content and high material quality. The high efficiency and temperature stable direct yellow and red phosphor-free emitters enable high efficiency white LEDs based on the RGYB color-mixing approach.

High-performance cobalt carbonate hydroxide nano-dot/NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Damin; Xia, Qi Xun; Yun, Je Moon; Kim, Kwang Ho

2018-03-01

Binder-free mesoporous NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 nanowire arrays were grown using a facile hydrothermal technique. The Co2(CO3)(OH)2 in NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 nanowire arrays was well-decorated as nano-dot scale (a few nanometer). In addition, increasing cobalt content in nickel compound matrix, NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 nanowire arrays were separately uniformly grown without agglomeration on Ni foam, providing a high specific surface area to help electrolyte access and ion transfer. The enticing composition and morphology of the NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 nanowire exhibit a superior specific capacity of 1288.2 mAh g-1 at a current density of 3 A g-1 and excellent cycling stability with the capacity retention of 80.7% after 10,000 cycles. Furthermore, an asymmetric supercapacitor composed of the NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 composite as a positive electrode and the graphene as a negative electrode presented a high energy density of 35.5 W h kg-1 at a power density of 2555.6 W kg-1 and satisfactory cycling stability with 71.3% capacity retention after 10,000 cycles. The great combination of the active nano-dot Co2(CO3)(OH)2 and the individually grown NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 nanowires made it a promising electrode material for asymmetric supercapacitors. A well-developed nanoarchitecture of the nano-dot Co2(CO3)(OH)2 decorated NiCo(CO3)(OH)2 composite could pave the way for an excellent electrode design for high-performance supercapacitors.

Ultra-thin bimetallic alloy nanowires with porous architecture/monolayer MoS2 nanosheet as a highly sensitive platform for the electrochemical assay of hazardous omethoate pollutant.

PubMed

Song, Dandan; Li, Qian; Lu, Xiong; Li, Yanshan; Li, Yan; Wang, Yuanzhe; Gao, Faming

2018-06-18

A novel electrochemical biosensor was designed for sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticides based on three-dimensional porous bimetallic alloy architecture with ultrathin nanowires (PdCo NWs, PdCu NWs, PdNi NWs) and monolayer MoS 2 nanosheet (m-MoS 2 ). The bimetallic alloy NWs/m-MoS 2 nanomaterials were used as a sensing platform for electrochemical analysis of omethoate, a representative organophosphate pesticide, via acetylcholinesterase inhibition pathway. We demonstrated that all three bimetallic alloy NWs enhanced electrochemical responses of enzymatic biosensor, benefited from bimetallic synergistic action and porous structure. In particular, PdNi NWs outperformed other two bimetallic alloy. Moreover, PdNi NWs/m-MoS 2 as an electronic transducer is superior to the corresponding biosensor in the absence of monolayer MoS 2 nanosheet, which arise from synergistic signal amplification effect between different components. Under optimized conditions, the developed biosensor on the basis of PdNi NWs/m-MoS 2 shows outstanding performance for the electrochemical assay of omethoate, such as a wide linear range (10 -13 M∼10 -7 M), a low detection limit of 0.05 pM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, high sensitivity and long-time stability. The results demonstrate that bimetallic alloy NWs/m-MoS 2 nanocomposites could be excellent transducers to promote electron transfer for the electrochemical reactions, holding great potentials in the construction of current and future biosensing devices. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stable and High Piezoelectric Output of GaN Nanowire-Based Lead-Free Piezoelectric Nanogenerator by Suppression of Internal Screening.

PubMed

Johar, Muhammad Ali; Hassan, Mostafa Afifi; Waseem, Aadil; Ha, Jun-Seok; Lee, June Key; Ryu, Sang-Wan

2018-06-14

A piezoelectric nanogenerator (PNG) that is based on c-axis GaN nanowires is fabricated on flexible substrate. In this regard, c-axis GaN nanowires were grown on GaN substrate using the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) technique by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Further, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was coated on nanowire-arrays then PDMS matrix embedded with GaN nanowire-arrays was transferred on Si-rubber substrate. The piezoelectric performance of nanowire-based flexible PNG was measured, while the device was actuated using a cyclic stretching-releasing agitation mechanism that was driven by a linear motor. The piezoelectric output was measured as a function of actuation frequency ranging from 1 Hz to 10 Hz and a linear tendency was observed for piezoelectric output current, while the output voltages remained constant. A maximum of piezoelectric open circuit voltages and short circuit current were measured 15.4 V and 85.6 nA, respectively. In order to evaluate the feasibility of our flexible PNG for real application, a long term stability test was performed for 20,000 cycles and the device performance was degraded by less than 18%. The underlying reason for the high piezoelectric output was attributed to the reduced free carriers inside nanowires due to surface Fermi-level pinning and insulating metal-dielectric-semiconductor interface, respectively; the former reduced the free carrier screening radially while latter reduced longitudinally. The flexibility and the high aspect ratio of GaN nanowire were the responsible factors for higher stability. Such higher piezoelectric output and the novel design make our device more promising for the diverse range of real applications.

A Water-Based Silver-Nanowire Screen-Print Ink for the Fabrication of Stretchable Conductors and Wearable Thin-Film Transistors

DOE PAGES

Liang, Jiajie; Tong, Kwing; Pei, Qibing

2016-05-09

Silver nanowire is a very promising material for fabricating compliant conductors which are essential for stretchable/wearable electronic devices. Screen printing is a cost-effective and scalable technology to fabricate large-area thin film coatings with modest pattern resolution. The biggest challenge to prepare a screen printable silver nanowire ink stems from the low viscosity of silver nanowire dispersions and that the addition of a thickening agent could dramatically increase the inter-nanowire contact resistance in the resulting coating. Herein, we report the synthesis of a water-based silver nanowire ink, which was formulated with low solid contents, high viscosity at 0.1 s -1 shearmore » rate, and appropriate rheological behavior suitable for screen printing. Silver nanowire coating patterns were screen printed with uniform sharp edges, ~50 μm resolution, and electrical conductivity as high as 4.67 × 10 4 S cm -1. The screen printed silver nanowires were then used to fabricate a composite conductor that retained a conductivity greater than 10,000 S cm -1 under 70% tensile strain. Fully printed and stretchable/wearable thin-film transistor arrays were also fabricated by employing the screen printed composite conductor as the source, drain, and gate, drop cast semiconducting carbon nanotubes as the channel, and a dielectric elastomer. The 10 × 6 thin-film transistor arrays had a fabrication yield of 91.7%, average mobility of 33.8 ± 3.7 cm 2V -1s -1, ON/OFF ratio ~1000, and remained stable during 1,000 cycles of wearing on and peeling off a glass tube with 5 mm diameter.« less

A Water-Based Silver-Nanowire Screen-Print Ink for the Fabrication of Stretchable Conductors and Wearable Thin-Film Transistors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liang, Jiajie; Tong, Kwing; Pei, Qibing

Silver nanowire is a very promising material for fabricating compliant conductors which are essential for stretchable/wearable electronic devices. Screen printing is a cost-effective and scalable technology to fabricate large-area thin film coatings with modest pattern resolution. The biggest challenge to prepare a screen printable silver nanowire ink stems from the low viscosity of silver nanowire dispersions and that the addition of a thickening agent could dramatically increase the inter-nanowire contact resistance in the resulting coating. Herein, we report the synthesis of a water-based silver nanowire ink, which was formulated with low solid contents, high viscosity at 0.1 s -1 shearmore » rate, and appropriate rheological behavior suitable for screen printing. Silver nanowire coating patterns were screen printed with uniform sharp edges, ~50 μm resolution, and electrical conductivity as high as 4.67 × 10 4 S cm -1. The screen printed silver nanowires were then used to fabricate a composite conductor that retained a conductivity greater than 10,000 S cm -1 under 70% tensile strain. Fully printed and stretchable/wearable thin-film transistor arrays were also fabricated by employing the screen printed composite conductor as the source, drain, and gate, drop cast semiconducting carbon nanotubes as the channel, and a dielectric elastomer. The 10 × 6 thin-film transistor arrays had a fabrication yield of 91.7%, average mobility of 33.8 ± 3.7 cm 2V -1s -1, ON/OFF ratio ~1000, and remained stable during 1,000 cycles of wearing on and peeling off a glass tube with 5 mm diameter.« less

Bringing order to the world of nanowire devices by phase shift lithography.

PubMed

Subannajui, Kittitat; Güder, Firat; Zacharias, Margit

2011-09-14

Semiconductor nanowire devices have several properties which match future requirements of scaling down the size of electronics. In typical microelectronics production, a number of microstructures are aligned precisely on top of each other during the fabrication process. In the case of nanowires, this mandatory condition is still hard to achieve. A technological breakthrough is needed to accurately place nanowires at any specific position and then form devices in mass production. In this article, an upscalable process combining conventional micromachining with phase shift lithography will be demonstrated as a suitable tool for nanowire device technology. Vertical Si and ZnO nanowires are demonstrated on very large (several cm(2)) areas. We demonstrate how the nanowire positions can be controlled, and the resulting nanowires are used for device fabrication. As an example Si/ZnO heterojunction diode arrays are fabricated. The electrical characterization of the produced devices has also been performed to confirm the functionality of the fabricated diodes.

Optical properties of electrically connected plasmonic nanoantenna dimer arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmerman, Darin T.; Borst, Benjamin D.; Carrick, Cassandra J.; Lent, Joseph M.; Wambold, Raymond A.; Weisel, Gary J.; Willis, Brian G.

2018-02-01

We fabricate electrically connected gold nanoantenna arrays of homodimers and heterodimers on silica substrates and present a systematic study of their optical properties. Electrically connected arrays of plasmonic nanoantennas make possible the realization of novel photonic devices, including optical sensors and rectifiers. Although the plasmonic response of unconnected arrays has been studied extensively, the present study shows that the inclusion of nanowire connections modifies the device response significantly. After presenting experimental measurements of optical extinction for unconnected dimer arrays, we compare these to measurements of dimers that are interconnected by gold nanowire "busbars." The connected devices show the familiar dipole response associated with the unconnected dimers but also show a second localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) that we refer to as the "coupled-busbar mode." Our experimental study also demonstrates that the placement of the nanowire along the antenna modifies the LSPR. Using finite-difference time-domain simulations, we confirm the experimental results and investigate the variation of dimer gap and spacing. Changing the dimer gap in connected devices has a significantly smaller effect on the dipole response than it does in unconnected devices. On the other hand, both LSPR modes respond strongly to changing the spacing between devices in the direction along the interconnecting wires. We also give results for the variation of E-field strength in the dimer gap, which will be important for any working sensor or rectenna device.

Design of Pd/PANI/Pd sandwich-structured nanotube array catalysts with special shape effects and synergistic effects for ethanol electrooxidation.

PubMed

Wang, An-Liang; Xu, Han; Feng, Jin-Xian; Ding, Liang-Xin; Tong, Ye-Xiang; Li, Gao-Ren

2013-07-24

Low cost, high activity, and long-term durability are the main requirements for commercializing fuel cell electrocatalysts. Despite tremendous efforts, developing non-Pt anode electrocatalysts with high activity and long-term durability at low cost remains a significant technical challenge. Here we report a new type of hybrid Pd/PANI/Pd sandwich-structured nanotube array (SNTA) to exploit shape effects and synergistic effects of Pd-PANI composites for the oxidation of small organic molecules for direct alcohol fuel cells. These synthesized Pd/PANI/Pd SNTAs exhibit significantly improved electrocatalytic activity and durability compared with Pd NTAs and commercial Pd/C catalysts. The unique SNTAs provide fast transport and short diffusion paths for electroactive species and high utilization rate of catalysts. Besides the merits of nanotube arrays, the improved electrocatalytic activity and durability are especially attributed to the special Pd/PANI/Pd sandwich-like nanostructures, which results in electron delocalization between Pd d orbitals and PANI π-conjugated ligands and in electron transfer from Pd to PANI.

The Development of High-Density Vertical Silicon Nanowires and Their Application in a Heterojunction Diode.

PubMed

Chang, Wen-Chung; Su, Sheng-Chien; Wu, Chia-Ching

2016-06-30

Vertically aligned p-type silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays were fabricated through metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) of Si wafers. An indium tin oxide/indium zinc oxide/silicon nanowire (ITO/IZO/SiNW) heterojunction diode was formed by depositing ITO and IZO thin films on the vertically aligned SiNW arrays. The structural and electrical properties of the resulting ITO/IZO/SiNW heterojunction diode were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. Nonlinear and rectifying I-V properties confirmed that a heterojunction diode was successfully formed in the ITO/IZO/SiNW structure. The diode had a well-defined rectifying behavior, with a rectification ratio of 550.7 at 3 V and a turn-on voltage of 2.53 V under dark conditions.

The influence of passivation and photovoltaic properties of α-Si:H coverage on silicon nanowire array solar cells

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays for radial p-n junction solar cells offer potential advantages of light trapping effects and quick charge collection. Nevertheless, lower open circuit voltages (Voc) lead to lower energy conversion efficiencies. In such cases, the performance of the solar cells depends critically on the quality of the SiNW interfaces. In this study, SiNW core-shell solar cells have been fabricated by growing crystalline silicon (c-Si) nanowires via the metal-assisted chemical etching method and by depositing hydrogenated amorphous silicon (α-Si:H) via the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. The influence of deposition parameters on the coverage and, consequently, the passivation and photovoltaic properties of α-Si:H layers on SiNW solar cells have been analyzed. PMID:24059343

Resistive switching behaviors of Au/pentacene/Si-nanowire arrays/heavily doped n-type Si devices for memory applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsao, Hou-Yen; Lin, Yow-Jon

2014-02-01

The fabrication of memory devices based on the Au/pentacene/heavily doped n-type Si (n+-Si), Au/pentacene/Si nanowires (SiNWs)/n+-Si, and Au/pentacene/H2O2-treated SiNWs/n+-Si structures and their resistive switching characteristics were reported. A pentacene memory structure using SiNW arrays as charge storage nodes was demonstrated. The Au/pentacene/SiNWs/n+-Si devices show hysteresis behavior. H2O2 treatment may lead to the hysteresis degradation. However, no hysteresis-type current-voltage characteristics were observed for Au/pentacene/n+-Si devices, indicating that the resistive switching characteristic is sensitive to SiNWs and the charge trapping effect originates from SiNWs. The concept of nanowires within the organic layer opens a promising direction for organic memory devices.

Low temperature preparation of Ag-doped ZnO nanowire arrays for sensor and light-emitting diode applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupan, O.; Viana, B.; Cretu, V.; Postica, V.; Adelung, R.; Pauporté, T.

2016-02-01

Transition metal doped-oxide semiconductor nanostructures are important to achieve enhanced and new properties for advanced applications. We describe the low temperature preparation of ZnO:Ag nanowire/nanorod (NW/NR) arrays by electrodeposition at 90 °C. The NWs have been characterized by SEM, EDX, transmittance and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The integration of Ag in the crystal is shown. Single nanowire/nanorod of ZnO:Ag was integrated in a nanosensor structure leading to new and enhanced properties. The ultraviolet (UV) response of the nanosensor was investigated at room temperature. Experimental results indicate that ZnO:Ag (0.75 μM) nanosensor possesses faster response/recovery time and better response to UV light than those reported in literature. The sensor structure has been also shown to give a fast response for the hydrogen detection with improved performances compared to pristine ZnO NWs. ZnO:Ag nanowire/nanorod arrays electrochemically grown on p-type GaN single crystal layer is also shown to act as light emitter in LED structures. The emission wavelength is red-shifted compared to pristine ZnO NW array. At low Ag concentration a single UV-blue emission is found whereas at higher concentration of dopant the emission is broadened and extends up to the red wavelength range. Our study indicates that high quality ZnO:Ag NW/NR prepared at low temperature by electrodeposition can serve as building nanomaterials for new sensors and light emitting diodes (LEDs) structures with low-power consumption.

Organized one dimensional nanomaterials: From preparations to applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Xiaogang

This thesis is mainly concerned with the development of organized one dimensional (1D) nanomaterials and their applications. We have synthesized Ag2S, Cu2S nanowires, Fe2O3 nanobelt and nanowire arrays and ZnO nanobelt arrays from corresponding metal substrate respectively via gas solid reaction methods under different growth conditions. The effect of various parameters including temperature, reaction time, composition of gas, surface pre-oxidation, size of source materials etc. on the growth of metal oxide/sulfide 1D nanostructure have been studied systemically. The size and morphology of these 1D nanomaterials could be rationally controlled by adjusting the growth conditions. A tip growth mechanism has been confirmed based our results. The properties including PL, Raman, field effect transistors, and field emission of these materials have been measured. Cu(OH)2 nanoribbons have been synthesized by a solution solid reaction method using Cu and Cu2S nanowires as precursors. Cu(OH) 2 nanoribbons can form well-aligned arrays on Cu substrate. Low temperature facilitate the formation of Cu(OH)2 nanoribbon arrays. Reaction conditions affect the morphology, crystal structure, even composition of the products much. CuO nanorod arrays of several nm in diameter could be synthesis in changed condition. Cu(OH)2 nanoribbon arrays are good sacrifice template for synthesizing other Cu-based 1D nanomaterials. It has been converted to CuO, Cu2O, Cu8S9, Cu etc. 1D nanostructure through different physical and chemical reaction process. Au/Cu2S core/sheath nanowires have been synthesized in solution phase via a simple template-induced redox deposition process, after removing the Cu2S template, Au nanotubes have been formed. The photoelectrochemistry (PEC) properties of it have been studied. Ag dendritic nanostructures have been prepared via solution reaction. We have revealed that the stem, branch, and sub-branch grow along <100>, <111> and <100> directions, respectively. Such a preferential growth pattern along <100> and <111> alternately lead to the formation of the Ag nanodendrites. In another development, we have synthesized unltrathin Zn nanowires (<5nm) by a vapor transport method. Small molecules are induced into the gas phase as capping reagents. In this process, the small molecules serve as capping reagents or templates to confine the lateral growth and facilitate the formation of ultrathin 1D nanostructures. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Properties and applications of submicron magnetic structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silevitch, Daniel Marc

The interactions between an array of magnetic dots and a superconducting thin film were studied using transport measurements and magnetic imaging. The transport measurements examined the enhancement in the pinning of flux vortices when the vortex lattice was commensurate with the dot array. The degradation of the pinning enhancement due to the controlled introduction of disorder into the dot lattice was studied. Enhanced pinning was observed to persist in disordered arrays when the vortex lattice had the same density as the dot lattice. When the vortex density was an integral multiple of the dot lattice density, the enhanced pinning was suppressed with increasing disorder. Magnetic imaging was carried out on superconductors with ordered arrays of pinning sites. The vortices were observed to form regions of local order even when the vortex density was less than the dot density. There were also a significant number of vortices pinned in the interstitials of the dot lattice, indicating that the pinning potential is comparable in strength to the inter-vortex repulsion. The transport properties of ferromagnetic nanowires were also investigated. The behavior of straight nanowires was studied as a function of the magnitude and angle of the applied magnetic field. A model was developed for the magnetization behavior of the nanowire which reproduced the observed transport properties. The magnetic reversal properties were examined and found to be consistent with the curling mode of reversal, and an estimate for the initial nucleation volume was obtained. This behavior was compared to the behavior of mechanically bent nanowires. The bent wires were qualitatively similar to two independent straight wires. The bent wires, however, also showed interaction effects due to the domain configuration that had an effect on the magnetization behavior. An estimate for the energy barrier of nucleating a domain wall in a nanowire was derived from these interaction effects. A resistance contribution due to the domain configuration was isolated; the resistance was found to decrease in the presence of a domain wall.

Fabrication and Characterization of Magnetic Nanowires in Anodic Alumina

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Z. L.; Han, Y. R.; Wang, H. H.; Welp, U.; Kwok, W. K.; Crabtree, G. W.

2002-03-01

Magnetic nanowires (cobalt, iron and nickel) with diameters down to 20 nm have been fabricated by electrodeposition. Both commercial and home-made anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with nanochannel arrays were used as templates. The structure and magnetization hysteresis of the specimens with nanowires were investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), respectively. Growth of nanowires with both aqueous and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solutions was conducted and better quality nanowires were obtained with the organic DMSO solution. The influence of the diameter, the length and the separation of the nanochannels on the magnetization orientation was investigated in detail. Work supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), BES-Materials Science, Contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38.

Vapor-liquid-solid growth of <110> silicon nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichfeld, Sarah M.; Hainey, Mel F.; Shen, Haoting; Kendrick, Chito E.; Fucinato, Emily A.; Yim, Joanne; Black, Marcie R.; Redwing, Joan M.

2013-09-01

The epitaxial growth of <110> silicon nanowires on (110) Si substrates by the vapor-liquid-solid growth process was investigated using SiCl4 as the source gas. A high percentage of <110> nanowires was obtained at high temperatures and reduced SiCl4 partial pressures. Transmission electron microscopy characterization of the <110> Si nanowires revealed symmetric V-shaped {111} facets at the tip and large {111} facets on the sidewalls of the nanowires. The symmetric {111} tip faceting was explained as arising from low catalyst supersaturation during growth which is expected to occur given the near-equilibrium nature of the SiCl4 process. The predominance of {111} facets obtained under these conditions promotes the growth of <110> SiNWs.

Self-Assembly Fabrication of Coaxial Te@poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanocables and Their Conversion to Pd@poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanocables with a High Peroxidase-like Activity.

PubMed

Chi, Maoqiang; Nie, Guangdi; Jiang, Yanzhou; Yang, Zezhou; Zhang, Zhen; Wang, Ce; Lu, Xiaofeng

2016-01-13

Here, we report a simple one-step procedure to fabricate coaxial Te@poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanocables via a self-assembly redox polymerization between 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer and the oxidant of sodium tellurite without the assistance of any templates and surfactants. The as-synthesized Te@PEDOT coaxial nanocables have diameters of center cores in the range of 5-10 nm, and the size of the outer shell from several nanometers to 15 nm. More interestingly, the as-prepared Te@PEDOT nanocables can be converted to Pd@PEDOT nanocables via a galvanic replacement reaction. The center core of the Pd nanowire exhibits a high crystallinity. The application of the synthesized Pd@PEDOT nanocables as peroxidase-like catalysts for the colorimetric detection of H2O2 is reported. The synergistic effect between the Pd nanowire and electrically conducting PEDOT enhances the catalytic activity toward the oxidation of the peroxidase substrate 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine in the presence of H2O2. A detection limit toward H2O2 is as low as 4.83 μM, and a linear range from 10 to 100 μM has been achieved. This work offers a potential versatile route for the fabrication of cable-like nanocomposites with conducting polymers and other active components, which display great promise in applications such as catalysis, nanoelectronic devices, and energy storage and conversion.

Hierarchical Assembly of Multifunctional Oxide-based Composite Nanostructures for Energy and Environmental Applications

PubMed Central

Gao, Pu-Xian; Shimpi, Paresh; Gao, Haiyong; Liu, Caihong; Guo, Yanbing; Cai, Wenjie; Liao, Kuo-Ting; Wrobel, Gregory; Zhang, Zhonghua; Ren, Zheng; Lin, Hui-Jan

2012-01-01

Composite nanoarchitectures represent a class of nanostructured entities that integrates various dissimilar nanoscale building blocks including nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanofilms toward realizing multifunctional characteristics. A broad array of composite nanoarchitectures can be designed and fabricated, involving generic materials such as metal, ceramics, and polymers in nanoscale form. In this review, we will highlight the latest progress on composite nanostructures in our research group, particularly on various metal oxides including binary semiconductors, ABO3-type perovskites, A2BO4 spinels and quaternary dielectric hydroxyl metal oxides (AB(OH)6) with diverse application potential. Through a generic template strategy in conjunction with various synthetic approaches— such as hydrothermal decomposition, colloidal deposition, physical sputtering, thermal decomposition and thermal oxidation, semiconductor oxide alloy nanowires, metal oxide/perovskite (spinel) composite nanowires, stannate based nanocompostes, as well as semiconductor heterojunction—arrays and networks have been self-assembled in large scale and are being developed as promising classes of composite nanoarchitectures, which may open a new array of advanced nanotechnologies in solid state lighting, solar absorption, photocatalysis and battery, auto-emission control, and chemical sensing. PMID:22837702

Piezo-phototronic Effect Enhanced UV/Visible Photodetector Based on Fully Wide Band Gap Type-II ZnO/ZnS Core/Shell Nanowire Array.

PubMed

Rai, Satish C; Wang, Kai; Ding, Yong; Marmon, Jason K; Bhatt, Manish; Zhang, Yong; Zhou, Weilie; Wang, Zhong Lin

2015-06-23

A high-performance broad band UV/visible photodetector has been successfully fabricated on a fully wide bandgap ZnO/ZnS type-II heterojunction core/shell nanowire array. The device can detect photons with energies significantly smaller (2.2 eV) than the band gap of ZnO (3.2 eV) and ZnS (3.7 eV), which is mainly attributed to spatially indirect type-II transition facilitated by the abrupt interface between the ZnO core and ZnS shell. The performance of the device was further enhanced through the piezo-phototronic effect induced lowering of the barrier height to allow charge carrier transport across the ZnO/ZnS interface, resulting in three orders of relative responsivity change measured at three different excitation wavelengths (385, 465, and 520 nm). This work demonstrates a prototype UV/visible photodetector based on the truly wide band gap semiconducting 3D core/shell nanowire array with enhanced performance through the piezo-phototronic effect.

Polarization-tuned Dynamic Color Filters Incorporating a Dielectric-loaded Aluminum Nanowire Array

PubMed Central

Raj Shrestha, Vivek; Lee, Sang-Shin; Kim, Eun-Soo; Choi, Duk-Yong

2015-01-01

Nanostructured spectral filters enabling dynamic color-tuning are saliently attractive for implementing ultra-compact color displays and imaging devices. Realization of polarization-induced dynamic color-tuning via one-dimensional periodic nanostructures is highly challenging due to the absence of plasmonic resonances for transverse-electric polarization. Here we demonstrate highly efficient dynamic subtractive color filters incorporating a dielectric-loaded aluminum nanowire array, providing a continuum of customized color according to the incident polarization. Dynamic color filtering was realized relying on selective suppression in transmission spectra via plasmonic resonance at a metal-dielectric interface and guided-mode resonance for a metal-clad dielectric waveguide, each occurring at their characteristic wavelengths for transverse-magnetic and electric polarizations, respectively. A broad palette of colors, including cyan, magenta, and yellow, has been attained with high transmission beyond 80%, by tailoring the period of the nanowire array and the incident polarization. Thanks to low cost, high durability, and mass producibility of the aluminum adopted for the proposed devices, they are anticipated to be diversely applied to color displays, holographic imaging, information encoding, and anti-counterfeiting. PMID:26211625

Plasmonic lattice solitons in metallic nanowire materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Swami, O. P., E-mail: omg1789@gmail.com; Kumar, Vijendra, E-mail: vsmedphysics@gmail.com; Nagar, A. K., E-mail: ajaya.nagar@gmail.com

2016-05-06

In this paper, we demonstrate theoretically that the plasmonic lattice solitons (PLSs) are formed in array of metallic nanowires embedded in Kerr-type material. The strong nonlinearity at metal surface, combined with the tight confinement of the guiding modes of the metallic nanowires, provide the main physical mechanism for balancing the creation of plasmonic lattice solitons and wave diffraction. We show that the PLSs are satisfied in a verity of plasmonic systems, which have important applications in nanophotonics and subwavelength optics.

Template-Assisted Scalable Nanowire Networks.

PubMed

Friedl, Martin; Cerveny, Kris; Weigele, Pirmin; Tütüncüoglu, Gozde; Martí-Sánchez, Sara; Huang, Chunyi; Patlatiuk, Taras; Potts, Heidi; Sun, Zhiyuan; Hill, Megan O; Güniat, Lucas; Kim, Wonjong; Zamani, Mahdi; Dubrovskii, Vladimir G; Arbiol, Jordi; Lauhon, Lincoln J; Zumbühl, Dominik M; Fontcuberta I Morral, Anna

2018-04-11

Topological qubits based on Majorana Fermions have the potential to revolutionize the emerging field of quantum computing by making information processing significantly more robust to decoherence. Nanowires are a promising medium for hosting these kinds of qubits, though branched nanowires are needed to perform qubit manipulations. Here we report a gold-free templated growth of III-V nanowires by molecular beam epitaxy using an approach that enables patternable and highly regular branched nanowire arrays on a far greater scale than what has been reported thus far. Our approach relies on the lattice-mismatched growth of InAs on top of defect-free GaAs nanomembranes yielding laterally oriented, low-defect InAs and InGaAs nanowires whose shapes are determined by surface and strain energy minimization. By controlling nanomembrane width and growth time, we demonstrate the formation of compositionally graded nanowires with cross-sections less than 50 nm. Scaling the nanowires below 20 nm leads to the formation of homogeneous InGaAs nanowires, which exhibit phase-coherent, quasi-1D quantum transport as shown by magnetoconductance measurements. These results are an important advance toward scalable topological quantum computing.

Construction of Hierarchical CuO/Cu₂O@NiCo₂S₄ Nanowire Arrays on Copper Foam for High Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes.

PubMed

Zhou, Luoxiao; He, Ying; Jia, Congpu; Pavlinek, Vladimir; Saha, Petr; Cheng, Qilin

2017-09-15

Hierarchical copper oxide @ ternary nickel cobalt sulfide (CuO/Cu₂O@NiCo₂S₄) core-shell nanowire arrays on Cu foam have been successfully constructed by a facile two-step strategy. Vertically aligned CuO/Cu₂O nanowire arrays are firstly grown on Cu foam by one-step thermal oxidation of Cu foam, followed by electrodeposition of NiCo₂S₄ nanosheets on the surface of CuO/Cu₂O nanowires to form the CuO/Cu₂O@NiCo₂S₄ core-shell nanostructures. Structural and morphological characterizations indicate that the average thickness of the NiCo₂S₄ nanosheets is ~20 nm and the diameter of CuO/Cu₂O core is ~50 nm. Electrochemical properties of the hierarchical composites as integrated binder-free electrodes for supercapacitor were evaluated by various electrochemical methods. The hierarchical composite electrodes could achieve ultrahigh specific capacitance of 3.186 F cm -2 at 10 mA cm -2 , good rate capability (82.06% capacitance retention at the current density from 2 to 50 mA cm -2 ) and excellent cycling stability, with capacitance retention of 96.73% after 2000 cycles at 10 mA cm -2 . These results demonstrate the significance of optimized design and fabrication of electrode materials with more sufficient electrolyte-electrode interface, robust structural integrity and fast ion/electron transfer.

Nanocylinder arrays

DOEpatents

Tuominen, Mark; Schotter, Joerg; Thurn-Albrecht, Thomas; Russell, Thomas P.

2007-03-13

Pathways to rapid and reliable fabrication of nanocylinder arrays are provided. Simple methods are described for the production of well-ordered arrays of nanopores, nanowires, and other materials. This is accomplished by orienting copolymer films and removing a component from the film to produce nanopores, that in turn, can be filled with materials to produce the arrays. The resulting arrays can be used to produce nanoscale media, devices, and systems.

Nanocylinder arrays

DOEpatents

Tuominen, Mark [Shutesbury, MA; Schotter, Joerg [Bielefeld, DE; Thurn-Albrecht, Thomas [Freiburg, DE; Russell, Thomas P [Amherst, MA

2009-08-11

Pathways to rapid and reliable fabrication of nanocylinder arrays are provided. Simple methods are described for the production of well-ordered arrays of nanopores, nanowires, and other materials. This is accomplished by orienting copolymer films and removing a component from the film to produce nanopores, that in turn, can be filled with materials to produce the arrays. The resulting arrays can be used to produce nanoscale media, devices, and systems.

Tungsten oxide@polypyrrole core-shell nanowire arrays as novel negative electrodes for asymmetric supercapacitors.

PubMed

Wang, Fengmei; Zhan, Xueying; Cheng, Zhongzhou; Wang, Zhenxing; Wang, Qisheng; Xu, Kai; Safdar, Muhammad; He, Jun

2015-02-11

Among active pseudocapacitive materials, polypyrrole (PPy) is a promising electrode material in electrochemical capacitors. PPy-based materials research has thus far focused on its electrochemical performance as a positive electrode rather than as a negative electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). Here high-performance electrochemical supercapacitors are designed with tungsten oxide@PPy (WO3 @PPy) core-shell nanowire arrays and Co(OH)2 nanowires grown on carbon fibers. The WO3 @PPy core-shell nanowire electrode exhibits a high capacitance (253 mF/cm2) in negative potentials (-1.0-0.0 V). The ASCs packaged with CF-Co(OH)2 as a positive electrode and CF-WO3 @PPy as a negative electrode display a high volumetric capacitance up to 2.865 F/cm3 based on volume of the device, an energy density of 1.02 mWh/cm3 , and very good stability performance. These findings promote the application of PPy-based nanostructures as advanced negative electrodes for ASCs. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Smart integration of silicon nanowire arrays in all-silicon thermoelectric micro-nanogenerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fonseca, Luis; Santos, Jose-Domingo; Roncaglia, Alberto; Narducci, Dario; Calaza, Carlos; Salleras, Marc; Donmez, Inci; Tarancon, Albert; Morata, Alex; Gadea, Gerard; Belsito, Luca; Zulian, Laura

2016-08-01

Micro and nanotechnologies are called to play a key role in the fabrication of small and low cost sensors with excellent performance enabling new continuous monitoring scenarios and distributed intelligence paradigms (Internet of Things, Trillion Sensors). Harvesting devices providing energy autonomy to those large numbers of microsensors will be essential. In those scenarios where waste heat sources are present, thermoelectricity will be the obvious choice. However, miniaturization of state of the art thermoelectric modules is not easy with the current technologies used for their fabrication. Micro and nanotechnologies offer an interesting alternative considering that silicon in nanowire form is a material with a promising thermoelectric figure of merit. This paper presents two approaches for the integration of large numbers of silicon nanowires in a cost-effective and practical way using only micromachining and thin-film processes compatible with silicon technologies. Both approaches lead to automated physical and electrical integration of medium-high density stacked arrays of crystalline or polycrystalline silicon nanowires with arbitrary length (tens to hundreds microns) and diameters below 100 nm.

Contact planarization of ensemble nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chia, A. C. E.; LaPierre, R. R.

2011-06-01

The viability of four organic polymers (S1808, SC200, SU8 and Cyclotene) as filling materials to achieve planarization of ensemble nanowire arrays is reported. Analysis of the porosity, surface roughness and thermal stability of each filling material was performed. Sonication was used as an effective method to remove the tops of the nanowires (NWs) to achieve complete planarization. Ensemble nanowire devices were fully fabricated and I-V measurements confirmed that Cyclotene effectively planarizes the NWs while still serving the role as an insulating layer between the top and bottom contacts. These processes and analysis can be easily implemented into future characterization and fabrication of ensemble NWs for optoelectronic device applications.

Contact planarization of ensemble nanowires.

PubMed

Chia, A C E; LaPierre, R R

2011-06-17

The viability of four organic polymers (S1808, SC200, SU8 and Cyclotene) as filling materials to achieve planarization of ensemble nanowire arrays is reported. Analysis of the porosity, surface roughness and thermal stability of each filling material was performed. Sonication was used as an effective method to remove the tops of the nanowires (NWs) to achieve complete planarization. Ensemble nanowire devices were fully fabricated and I-V measurements confirmed that Cyclotene effectively planarizes the NWs while still serving the role as an insulating layer between the top and bottom contacts. These processes and analysis can be easily implemented into future characterization and fabrication of ensemble NWs for optoelectronic device applications.

Lithium effects on the mechanical and electronic properties of germanium nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Macías, A.; Salazar, F.; Miranda, A.; Trejo-Baños, A.; Pérez, L. A.; Carvajal, E.; Cruz-Irisson, M.

2018-04-01

Semiconductor nanowire arrays promise rapid development of a new generation of lithium (Li) batteries because they can store more Li atoms than conventional crystals due to their large surface areas. During the charge-discharge process, the electrodes experience internal stresses that fatigue the material and limit the useful life of the battery. The theoretical study of electronic and mechanical properties of lithiated nanowire arrays allows the designing of electrode materials that could improve battery performance. In this work, we present a density functional theory study of the electronic band structure, formation energy, binding energy, and Young’s modulus (Y) of hydrogen passivated germanium nanowires (H-GeNWs) grown along the [111] and [001] crystallographic directions with surface and interstitial Li atoms. The results show that the germanium nanowires (GeNWs) with surface Li atoms maintain their semiconducting behavior but their energy gap size decreases when the Li concentration grows. In contrast, the GeNWs can have semiconductor or metallic behavior depending on the concentration of the interstitial Li atoms. On the other hand, Y is an indicator of the structural changes that GeNWs suffer due to the concentration of Li atoms. For surface Li atoms, Y stays almost constant, whereas for interstitial Li atoms, the Y values indicate important structural changes in the GeNWs.

Micromagnetic simulation and the angular dependence of coercivity and remanence for array of polycrystalline nickel nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuentes, G. P.; Holanda, J.; Guerra, Y.; Silva, D. B. O.; Farias, B. V. M.; Padrón-Hernández, E.

2017-02-01

We present here our experimental results for the preparation and characterization of nanowires of nickel and the analysis of the angular dependence of coercivity and remanence using experimental data and micromagnetic simulation. The fabrication was made by using aluminum oxide membranes as templates and deposited nickel by an electrochemical route. The magnetic measurements showed that coercivity and remanence are dependent of the angle of application of the external magnetic field. Our results are different than that expected for the coherent, vortex and transversal modes of the reversion for the magnetic moments. According to the transmission electron microscopy analysis we can see that our nanowires have not a perfect cylindrical format. That is why we have used the ellipsoids chain model for better understanding the real structure of wires and its relation with the magnetic behavior. In order to generate theoretical results for this configuration we have made micromagnetic simulation using Nmag code. Our numerical results for the realistic distances are in correspondence with the magnetic measurements and we can see that there are contradictions if we assume the transverse reversal mode. Then, we can conclude that structure of nanowires should be taken into account to understand the discrepancies reported in the literature for the reversion mechanism in arrays of nickel nanowires.

Tailored Emission Properties of ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO Core-Shell Nanowires Coupled with an Al Plasmonic Bowtie Antenna Array.

PubMed

Nie, Kui-Ying; Tu, Xuecou; Li, Jing; Chen, Xuanhu; Ren, Fang-Fang; Zhang, Guo-Gang; Kang, Lin; Gu, Shulin; Zhang, Rong; Wu, Peiheng; Zheng, Youdou; Tan, Hark Hoe; Jagadish, Chennupati; Ye, Jiandong

2018-06-14

The ability to manipulate light-matter interaction in semiconducting nanostructures is fascinating for implementing functionalities in advanced optoelectronic devices. Here, we report the tailoring of radiative emissions in a ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO core-shell single nanowire coupled with a one-dimensional aluminum bowtie antenna array. The plasmonic antenna enables changes in the excitation and emission processes, leading to an obvious enhancement of near band edge emission (2.2 eV) and subgap excitonic emission (1.7 eV) bound to intermediate band states in a ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO core-shell nanowire as well as surface-enhanced Raman scattering at room temperature. The increase of emission decay rate in the nanowire/antenna system, probed by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, yields an observable enhancement of quantum efficiency induced by local surface plasmon resonance. Electromagnetic simulations agree well with the experimental observations, revealing a combined effect of enhanced electric near-field intensity and the improvement of quantum efficiency in the ZnTe/ZnTe:O/ZnO nanowire/antenna system. The capability of tailoring light-matter interaction in low-efficient emitters may provide an alternative platform for designing advanced optoelectronic and sensing devices with precisely controlled response.

Catalytic growth of vertically aligned SnS/SnS2 p-n heterojunctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Degrauw, Aaron; Armstrong, Rebekka; Rahman, Ajara A.; Ogle, Jonathan; Whittaker-Brooks, Luisa

2017-09-01

Nanowire arrays of SnS/SnS2 p-n heterojunctions are grown on transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) coated-glass and Si/SiO2 substrates via chemical vapor transport (CVT). The nanowire arrays are comprised of individual SnS/SnS2 heterostructures that are highly oriented with their lengths and morphologies controlled by the CVT conditions (i.e. reaction temperature, flow rate, and reaction time). The growth and optoelectronic characterization of these well-defined SnS/SnS2 p-n heterostructures pave the way for the fabrication of highly efficient solar cell devices.

Toward self-assembled ferroelectric random access memories: hard-wired switching capacitor arrays with almost Tb/in.(2) densities.

PubMed

Evans, Paul R; Zhu, Xinhau; Baxter, Paul; McMillen, Mark; McPhillips, John; Morrison, Finlay D; Scott, James F; Pollard, Robert J; Bowman, Robert M; Gregg, J Marty

2007-05-01

We report on the successful fabrication of arrays of switchable nanocapacitors made by harnessing the self-assembly of materials. The structures are composed of arrays of 20-40 nm diameter Pt nanowires, spaced 50-100 nm apart, electrodeposited through nanoporous alumina onto a thin film lower electrode on a silicon wafer. A thin film ferroelectric (both barium titanate (BTO) and lead zirconium titanate (PZT)) has been deposited on top of the nanowire array, followed by the deposition of thin film upper electrodes. The PZT nanocapacitors exhibit hysteresis loops with substantial remnant polarizations, while although the switching performance was inferior, the low-field characteristics of the BTO nanocapacitors show dielectric behavior comparable to conventional thin film heterostructures. While registration is not sufficient for commercial RAM production, this is nevertheless an embryonic form of the highest density hard-wired FRAM capacitor array reported to date and compares favorably with atomic force microscopy read-write densities.

Measuring and Modeling the Growth Dynamics of Self-Catalyzed GaP Nanowire Arrays.

PubMed

Oehler, Fabrice; Cattoni, Andrea; Scaccabarozzi, Andrea; Patriarche, Gilles; Glas, Frank; Harmand, Jean-Christophe

2018-02-14

The bottom-up fabrication of regular nanowire (NW) arrays on a masked substrate is technologically relevant, but the growth dynamic is rather complex due to the superposition of severe shadowing effects that vary with array pitch, NW diameter, NW height, and growth duration. By inserting GaAsP marker layers at a regular time interval during the growth of a self-catalyzed GaP NW array, we are able to retrieve precisely the time evolution of the diameter and height of a single NW. We then propose a simple numerical scheme which fully computes shadowing effects at play in infinite arrays of NWs. By confronting the simulated and experimental results, we infer that re-emission of Ga from the mask is necessary to sustain the NW growth while Ga migration on the mask must be negligible. When compared to random cosine or random uniform re-emission from the mask, the simple case of specular reflection on the mask gives the most accurate account of the Ga balance during the growth.

Patterned growth of carbon nanotubes over vertically aligned silicon nanowire bundles for achieving uniform field emission.

PubMed

Hung, Yung-Jr; Huang, Yung-Jui; Chang, Hsuan-Chen; Lee, Kuei-Yi; Lee, San-Liang

2014-01-01

A fabrication strategy is proposed to enable precise coverage of as-grown carbon nanotube (CNT) mats atop vertically aligned silicon nanowire (VA-SiNW) bundles in order to realize a uniform bundle array of CNT-SiNW heterojunctions over a large sample area. No obvious electrical degradation of as-fabricated SiNWs is observed according to the measured current-voltage characteristic of a two-terminal single-nanowire device. Bundle arrangement of CNT-SiNW heterojunctions is optimized to relax the electrostatic screening effect and to maximize the field enhancement factor. As a result, superior field emission performance and relatively stable emission current over 12 h is obtained. A bright and uniform fluorescent radiation is observed from CNT-SiNW-based field emitters regardless of its bundle periodicity, verifying the existence of high-density and efficient field emitters on the proposed CNT-SiNW bundle arrays.

Understanding and removing surface states limiting charge transport in TiO2 nanowire arrays for enhanced optoelectronic device performance.

PubMed

Sheng, Xia; Chen, Liping; Xu, Tao; Zhu, Kai; Feng, Xinjian

2016-03-01

Charge transport within electrode materials plays a key role in determining the optoelectronic device performance. Aligned single-crystal TiO 2 nanowire arrays offer an ideal electron transport path and are expected to have higher electron mobility. Unfortunately, their transport is found not to be superior to that in nanoparticle films. Here we show that the low electron transport in rutile TiO 2 nanowires is mainly caused by surface traps in relatively deep energy levels, which cannot be removed by conventional approaches, such as oxygen annealing treatment. Moreover, we demonstrate an effective wet-chemistry approach to minimize these trap states, leading to over 20-fold enhancement in electron diffusion coefficient and 62% improvement in solar cell performance. On the basis of our results, the potential of TiO 2 NWs can be developed and well-utilized, which is significantly important for their practical applications.

The Development of High-Density Vertical Silicon Nanowires and Their Application in a Heterojunction Diode

PubMed Central

Chang, Wen-Chung; Su, Sheng-Chien; Wu, Chia-Ching

2016-01-01

Vertically aligned p-type silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays were fabricated through metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) of Si wafers. An indium tin oxide/indium zinc oxide/silicon nanowire (ITO/IZO/SiNW) heterojunction diode was formed by depositing ITO and IZO thin films on the vertically aligned SiNW arrays. The structural and electrical properties of the resulting ITO/IZO/SiNW heterojunction diode were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and current−voltage (I−V) measurements. Nonlinear and rectifying I−V properties confirmed that a heterojunction diode was successfully formed in the ITO/IZO/SiNW structure. The diode had a well-defined rectifying behavior, with a rectification ratio of 550.7 at 3 V and a turn-on voltage of 2.53 V under dark conditions. PMID:28773656

Three-dimensional cotton-like nickel nanowire@Ni-Co hydroxide nanosheet arrays as binder-free electrode for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Houzhao; Li, Lang; Xu, Yang; Tan, Qiuyang; Liu, Xiang; Zhang, Jun; Wang, Hanbin; Wang, Hao

2018-05-01

Three-dimensional (3D) cotton-like Ni-Co layered double hydroxide nanosheet arrays/nickel nanowires (3D Ni-Co LDH/NiNw) were successfully fabricated through a facile chemical bath deposition method. The 3D nickel nanowires are used as a conductive substrate with robust adhesion for high-pseudocapacitance Ni-Co LDH. The 3D Ni-Co LDH/NiNw electrode shows a high areal specific capacitance of 14 F cm-2 at 5 mA cm-2 and quality specific capacitance of 466.6 F g-1 at 0.125 A g-1 with respect to the whole quality of the electrode. The fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits a remarkable energy density of 0.387 mWh cm-2 using Ni-Co LDH/NiNw as the negative electrode. This high-performance composite electrode presents a new and affordable general approach for supercapacitors.

Piezo-Phototronic Matrix via a Nanowire Array.

PubMed

Zhang, Yang; Zhai, Junyi; Wang, Zhong Lin

2017-12-01

Piezoelectric semiconductors, such as ZnO and GaN, demonstrate multiproperty coupling effects toward various aspects of mechanical, electrical, and optical excitation. In particular, the three-way coupling among semiconducting, photoexcitation, and piezoelectric characteristics in wurtzite-structured semiconductors is established as a new field, which was first coined as piezo-phototronics by Wang in 2010. The piezo-phototronic effect can controllably modulate the charge-carrier generation, separation, transport, and/or recombination in optical-electronic processes by modifying the band structure at the metal-semiconductor or semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunction/interface. Here, the progress made in using the piezo-phototronic effect for enhancing photodetectors, pressure sensors, light-emitting diodes, and solar cells is reviewed. In comparison with previous works on a single piezoelectric semiconducting nanowire, piezo-phototronic nanodevices built using nanowire arrays provide a promising platform for fabricating integrated optoelectronics with the realization of high-spatial-resolution imaging and fast responsivity. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Three-dimensional cotton-like nickel nanowire@Ni-Co hydroxide nanosheet arrays as binder-free electrode for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor.

PubMed

Wan, Houzhao; Li, Lang; Xu, Yang; Tan, Qiuyang; Liu, Xiang; Zhang, Jun; Wang, Hanbin; Wang, Hao

2018-05-11

Three-dimensional (3D) cotton-like Ni-Co layered double hydroxide nanosheet arrays/nickel nanowires (3D Ni-Co LDH/NiNw) were successfully fabricated through a facile chemical bath deposition method. The 3D nickel nanowires are used as a conductive substrate with robust adhesion for high-pseudocapacitance Ni-Co LDH. The 3D Ni-Co LDH/NiNw electrode shows a high areal specific capacitance of 14 F cm -2 at 5 mA cm -2 and quality specific capacitance of 466.6 F g -1 at 0.125 A g -1 with respect to the whole quality of the electrode. The fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits a remarkable energy density of 0.387 mWh cm -2 using Ni-Co LDH/NiNw as the negative electrode. This high-performance composite electrode presents a new and affordable general approach for supercapacitors.

Aligned hierarchical Ag/ZnO nano-heterostructure arrays via electrohydrodynamic nanowire template for enhanced gas-sensing properties.

PubMed

Yin, Zhouping; Wang, Xiaomei; Sun, Fazhe; Tong, Xiaohu; Zhu, Chen; Lv, Qiying; Ye, Dong; Wang, Shuai; Luo, Wei; Huang, YongAn

2017-09-22

Gas sensing performance can be improved significantly by the increase in both the effective gas exposure area and the surface reactivitiy of ZnO nanorods. Here, we propose aligned hierarchical Ag/ZnO nano-heterostructure arrays (h-Ag/ZnO-NAs) via electrohydrodynamic nanowire template, together with a subsequent hydrothermal synthesis and photoreduction reaction. The h-Ag/ZnO-NAs scatter at top for higher specific surface areas with the air, simultaneously contact at root for the electrical conduction. Besides, the ZnO nanorods are uniformly coated with dispersed Ag nanoparticles, resulting in a tremendous enhancement of the surface reactivity. Compared with pure ZnO, such h-Ag/ZnO-NAs exhibit lower electrical resistance and faster responses. Moreover, they demonstrate enhanced NO 2 gas sensing properties. Self-assembly via electrohydrodynamic nanowire template paves a new way for the preparation of high performance gas sensors.

Electrochemical Deposition of Lanthanum Telluride Thin Films and Nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Su (Ike); Farias, Stephen; Cammarata, Robert

2013-03-01

Tellurium alloys are characterized by their high performance thermoelectric properties and recent research has shown nanostructured tellurium alloys display even greater performance than bulk equivalents. Increased thermoelectric efficiency of nanostructured materials have led to significant interests in developing thin film and nanowire structures. Here, we report on the first successful electrodeposition of lanthanum telluride thin films and nanowires. The electrodeposition of lanthanum telluride thin films is performed in ionic liquids at room temperature. The synthesis of nanowires involves electrodepositing lanthanum telluride arrays into anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanoporous membranes. These novel procedures can serve as an alternative means of simple, inexpensive and laboratory-environment friendly methods to synthesize nanostructured thermoelectric materials. The thermoelectric properties of thin films and nanowires will be presented to compare to current state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials. The morphologies and chemical compositions of the deposited films and nanowires are characterized using SEM and EDAX analysis.

Growth Evolution and Characterization of PLD Zn(Mg)O Nanowire Arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahm, Andreas; Nobis, Thomas; Lorenz, Michael; Zimmermann, Gregor; Boukos, Nikos; Travlos, Anastasios; Grundmann, Marius

ZnO and Zn0.98Mg0.02O nanowires have been grown by high-pressure pulsed laser deposition on sapphire substrates covered with gold colloidal particles as nucleation sites. We present a detailed study of the nanowire size and length distribution and of the growth evolution. We find that the aspect ratio varies linearly with deposition time. The linearity coefficient is independent of the catalytic gold particle size and lateral nanowire density. The superior structural quality of the whiskers is proven by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The defect-free ZnO nanowires exhibit a FWHM(2θ-ω) of the ZnO(0002) reflection of 22 arcsec. We show (0-11) step habit planes on the side faces of the nanowires that are a few atomic steps in height. The microscopic homogeneity of the optical properties is confirmed by temperature-dependent cathodoluminescence.

A Novel Bimetallic NiMo Carbide Nanowire Array for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution.

PubMed

Guo, Lixia; Wang, Jianying; Teng, Xue; Liu, Yangyang; He, Xiaoming; Chen, Zuofeng

2018-06-12

Design and fabrication of noble metal-free hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts with high activity is significant to future renewable energy systems. In this work, self-supported NiMo carbide nanowires have been developed on carbon cloth (Ni3Mo3C@NPC NWs/CC; NPC is N,P-doped carbon) through an electropolymerization-assisted procedure. During the synthesis process, NiMoO4 nanowires were first grown on CC through a hydrothermal reaction which is free of any polymer binder like Nafion. The as-prepared NiMoO4 NWs/CC was then coated by a layer of polypyrole (PPy) by electropolymerization that serves as carbon source for the subsequent conversion to Ni3Mo3C@NPC NWs/CC by carbothermal reduction. The experimental results indicate that the judicious choices of the amount of coated PPy and the pyrolysis temperature are essential for obtaining pure phase and nanowire array structure of Ni3Mo3C@NPC NWs/CC. Benefitting from the pure phase of bimetallic carbide, the unique architecture of nanowire array and the self-supported merit, the optimized Ni3Mo3C@NPC NWs/CC electrode exhibits excellent HER performance in both acidic and alkaline media. It requires low overpotentials of 161 mV and 215 mV to afford a high current density of 100 mA cm-2 toward the HER in acidic and alkaline media, respectively, and the catalytic activity is maintained for at least 48 h, which makes it among the best HER electrocatalysts based on metallic carbides yet reported. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

ZnO/ZnSxSe1-x core/shell nanowire arrays as photoelectrodes with efficient visible light absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenxing; Zhan, Xueying; Wang, Yajun; Safdar, Muhammad; Niu, Mutong; Zhang, Jinping; Huang, Ying; He, Jun

2012-08-01

ZnO/ZnSxSe1-x core/shell nanowires have been synthesized on n+-type silicon substrate via a two-step chemical vapor deposition method. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that ZnSxSe1-x can be deposited on the entire surface of ZnO nanowire, forming coaxial heterojunction along ZnO nanowire with very smooth shell surface and high shell thickness uniformity. The photoelectrode after deposition of the ternary alloy shell significantly improves visible light absorption efficiency. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results explicitly indicate that the introduction of ZnSxSe1-x shell to ZnO nanowires effectively improves the photogenerated charge separation process. Our finding opens up an efficient means for achieving high efficient energy conversion devices.

Fabrication of Two-Dimensional Arrays of Diameter-Tunable PS-b-P2VP Nanowires at the Air/Water Interface.

PubMed

Zhao, Xingjuan; Yu, Xiaoli; Lee, Yong-Ill; Liu, Hong-Guo

2016-11-15

Composite thin films with well-defined and parallel nanowires were fabricated from the binary blends of a diblock copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) and several homopolystyrenes (h-PSs) at the air/liquid interface through a facile technique, which involves solution self-assembly, interface adsorption, and further self-organization processes. It was confirmed that the nanowires that appeared at the air/water interface came from the cylindrical micelles formed in solution. Interestingly, the diameters of the nanowires are uniform and can be tuned precisely from 45 to 247 nm by incorporating the h-PS molecules into the micellar core. This parallel alignment of the nanowires has potential applications in optical devices and enables the nanowires to be used as templates to prepare functional nanostructures. The extent to which h-PS molecules with different molecular weights are able to influence the diameter control of the nanowires was also systematically investigated.

Photoconductive properties of Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Andzane, J., E-mail: jana.andzane@lu.lv; Kunakova, G.; Erts, D.

2015-02-14

The photoconductive properties of Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanowires synthesized inside anodized alumina (AAO) membrane have been characterized as a function of illuminating photon energy between the wavelengths of 500 to 900 nm and at constant illumination intensity of 1–4 μW·cm{sup −2}. Photoconductivity spectra, photocurrent values, photocurrent onset/decay times of individual Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanowires liberated from the AAO membrane were determined and compared with those of arrays of as-produced Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanowires templated inside pores of AAO membrane. The alumina membrane was found to significantly influence the photoconductive properties of the AAO-hosted Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanowires, when compared to liberated frommore » the AAO membrane individual Bi{sub 2}S{sub 3} nanowires, possibly due to charge carrier trapping at the interface between the nanowire surface and the pore walls.« less

Photosensitization of ZnO nanowires with CdSe quantum dots for photovoltaic devices.

PubMed

Leschkies, Kurtis S; Divakar, Ramachandran; Basu, Joysurya; Enache-Pommer, Emil; Boercker, Janice E; Carter, C Barry; Kortshagen, Uwe R; Norris, David J; Aydil, Eray S

2007-06-01

We combine CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals (or quantum dots) and single-crystal ZnO nanowires to demonstrate a new type of quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell. An array of ZnO nanowires was grown vertically from a fluorine-doped tin oxide conducting substrate. CdSe quantum dots, capped with mercaptopropionic acid, were attached to the surface of the nanowires. When illuminated with visible light, the excited CdSe quantum dots injected electrons across the quantum dot-nanowire interface. The morphology of the nanowires then provided the photoinjected electrons with a direct electrical pathway to the photoanode. With a liquid electrolyte as the hole transport medium, quantum-dot-sensitized nanowire solar cells exhibited short-circuit currents ranging from 1 to 2 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltages of 0.5-0.6 V when illuminated with 100 mW/cm2 simulated AM1.5 spectrum. Internal quantum efficiencies as high as 50-60% were also obtained.

Visible-light-enhanced Cr(VI) reduction at Pd-decorated silicon nanowire photocathode in photoelectrocatalytic microbial fuel cell.

PubMed

Han, He-Xing; Shi, Chen; Zhang, Nan; Yuan, Li; Sheng, Guo-Ping

2018-10-15

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a prominent toxic metal with significant adverse human health effects. Photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to less-toxic trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) is a promising method for removing Cr(VI) from aquatic environments. However, this technique often suffers from electron-hole recombination of semiconductors and poor reduction efficiency. The photoelectrocatalytic microbial fuel cell (Photo-MFC), which can use wastewater and light to recover electricity, has recently been proven to improve the separation of photocarriers of semiconductors and enhance cathodic reduction of pollutants. Here, the reduction of Cr(VI) was investigated in a Photo-MFC with a Pd-decorated p-type silicon nanowire (Pd/SiNW) photocathode and a bioanode under visible light. The Cr(VI) reduction efficiency reached 98.7% in 8 h under visible light, which was much higher than that under dark condition (56.2%) and open-circuit condition (19.4%). The enhanced Cr(VI) removal was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of Pd/SiNW photocathode and bioanode. Cr(VI) reduction in the Photo-MFC fitted well with pseudo-first-order kinetics. The kinetics constants and reduction efficiencies of Cr(VI) decreased with the increase of pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration and external resistance. This work provides a promising alternative to mitigate Cr(VI) pollution in aquatic environments. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Integrated nanoscale tools for interrogating living cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jorgolli, Marsela

The development of next-generation, nanoscale technologies that interface biological systems will pave the way towards new understanding of such complex systems. Nanowires -- one-dimensional nanoscale structures -- have shown unique potential as an ideal physical interface to biological systems. Herein, we focus on the development of nanowire-based devices that can enable a wide variety of biological studies. First, we built upon standard nanofabrication techniques to optimize nanowire devices, resulting in perfectly ordered arrays of both opaque (Silicon) and transparent (Silicon dioxide) nanowires with user defined structural profile, densities, and overall patterns, as well as high sample consistency and large scale production. The high-precision and well-controlled fabrication method in conjunction with additional technologies laid the foundation for the generation of highly specialized platforms for imaging, electrochemical interrogation, and molecular biology. Next, we utilized nanowires as the fundamental structure in the development of integrated nanoelectronic platforms to directly interrogate the electrical activity of biological systems. Initially, we generated a scalable intracellular electrode platform based on vertical nanowires that allows for parallel electrical interfacing to multiple mammalian neurons. Our prototype device consisted of 16 individually addressable stimulation/recording sites, each containing an array of 9 electrically active silicon nanowires. We showed that these vertical nanowire electrode arrays could intracellularly record and stimulate neuronal activity in dissociated cultures of rat cortical neurons similar to patch clamp electrodes. In addition, we used our intracellular electrode platform to measure multiple individual synaptic connections, which enables the reconstruction of the functional connectivity maps of neuronal circuits. In order to expand and improve the capability of this functional prototype device we designed and fabricated a new hybrid chip that combines a front-side nanowire-based interface for neuronal recording with backside complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuits for on-chip multiplexing, voltage control for stimulation, signal amplification, and signal processing. Individual chips contain 1024 stimulation/recording sites enabling large-scale interfacing of neuronal networks with single cell resolution. Through electrical and electrochemical characterization of the devices, we demonstrated their enhanced functionality at a massively parallel scale. In our initial cell experiments, we achieved intracellular stimulations and recordings of changes in the membrane potential in a variety of cells including: HEK293T, cardiomyocytes, and rat cortical neurons. This demonstrated the device capability for single-cell-resolution recording/stimulation which when extended to a large number of neurons in a massively parallel fashion will enable the functional mapping of a complex neuronal network.

Optical design of GaN nanowire arrays for photocatalytic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winnerl, Julia; Hudeczek, Richard; Stutzmann, Martin

2018-05-01

GaN nanowire (NW) arrays are interesting candidates for photocatalytic applications due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and their waveguide character. The integration of GaN NW arrays on GaN-based light emitting diodes (LEDs), serving as a platform for electrically driven NW-based photocatalytic devices, enables an efficient coupling of the light from the planar LED to the GaN NWs. Here, we present a numerical study of the influence of the NW geometries, i.e., the NW diameter, length, and period, and the illumination wavelength on the transmission of GaN NW arrays on transparent substrates. A detailed numerical analysis reveals that the transmission characteristics for large periods are determined by the waveguide character of the single NW, whereas for dense GaN NW arrays inter-wire coupling and diffraction effects originating from the periodic arrangement of the GaN NWs dominate the transmission. The numerically simulated results are confirmed by experimental transmission measurements. We also investigate the influence of a dielectric NW shell and of the surrounding medium on the transmission characteristics of a GaN NW array.

Aluminum Nanowire Arrays via Soft Nanoimprint Lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naughton, Michael J.; Nesbitt, Nathan T.; Merlo, Juan M.; Rose, Aaron H.; Calm, Yitzi M.; D'Imperio, Luke A.; Courtney, Dave T.; Shepard, Steve; Kempa, Krzysztof; Burns, Michael J.

We have previously reported a method to fabricate freestanding, vertically-oriented, and lithographically-ordered Al nanowire arrays via directed assembly, and demonstrated their utility as a plasmonic waveguide. However, the process, a variation on the preparation of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO), involved imprinting Al with a hard stamp, which wore down the stamp and had a low yield of Al NWs. Here we show a new nanoimprint lithography (NIL) technique that uses a soft stamp to pattern a mask on the Al; it provides a greater yield of Al NWs and is less destructive to the stamp, providing a path to applications that require NW arrays over macroscopic areas. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. (DGE-1258923).

Hexagonal Nanopyramidal Prisms of Nearly Intrinsic InN on Patterned GaN Nanowire Arrays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Golam Sarwar, A. T. M.; Leung, Benjamin; Wang, George T.

By using multiple growth steps that separate the nucleation and growth processes, we show that nearly intrinsic InN single nanocrystals of high optical quality can be formed on patterned GaN nanowire arrays by molecular beam epitaxy. The InN nanostructures form into well-defined hexagonal prisms with pyramidal tops. Micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL) is carried out at low temperature (LT: 28.2 K) and room temperature (RT: 285 K) to gauge the relative material quality of the InN nanostructures. Nanopyramidal prisms grown using a three-step growth method are found to show superior quantum efficiency. In conclusion, excitation and temperature dependent μ-PL demonstrates the very highmore » quality and nearly intrinsic nature of the ordered InN nanostructure arrays.« less

Silver nanowire/polymer composite soft conductive film fabricated by large-area compatible coating for flexible pressure sensor array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Sujie; Li, Siying; Peng, Sai; Huang, Yukun; Zhao, Jiaqing; Tang, Wei; Guo, Xiaojun

2018-01-01

Soft conductive films composed of a silver nanowire (AgNW) network, a neutral-pH PEDOT:PSS over-coating layer and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer substrate are fabricated by large area compatible coating processes. The neutral-pH PEDOT:PSS layer is shown to be able to significantly improve the conductivity, stretchability and air stability of the conductive films. The soft conductive films are patterned using a simple maskless patterning approach to fabricate an 8 × 8 flexible pressure sensor array. It is shown that such soft conductive films can help to improve the sensitivity and reduce the signal crosstalk over the pressure sensor array. Project supported by the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (No. 16JC1400603).

Hexagonal Nanopyramidal Prisms of Nearly Intrinsic InN on Patterned GaN Nanowire Arrays

DOE PAGES

Golam Sarwar, A. T. M.; Leung, Benjamin; Wang, George T.; ...

2018-01-04

By using multiple growth steps that separate the nucleation and growth processes, we show that nearly intrinsic InN single nanocrystals of high optical quality can be formed on patterned GaN nanowire arrays by molecular beam epitaxy. The InN nanostructures form into well-defined hexagonal prisms with pyramidal tops. Micro-photoluminescence (μ-PL) is carried out at low temperature (LT: 28.2 K) and room temperature (RT: 285 K) to gauge the relative material quality of the InN nanostructures. Nanopyramidal prisms grown using a three-step growth method are found to show superior quantum efficiency. In conclusion, excitation and temperature dependent μ-PL demonstrates the very highmore » quality and nearly intrinsic nature of the ordered InN nanostructure arrays.« less

Three-Dimensional Array of TiN@Pt3Cu Nanowires as an Efficient Porous Electrode for the Lithium-Oxygen Battery.

PubMed

Luo, Wen-Bin; Pham, Thien Viet; Guo, Hai-Peng; Liu, Hua-Kun; Dou, Shi-Xue

2017-02-28

The nonaqueous lithium-oxygen battery is a promising candidate as a next-generation energy storage system because of its potentially high energy density (up to 2-3 kW kg -1 ), exceeding that of any other existing energy storage system for storing sustainable and clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of nonrenewable fossil fuels. To achieve high round-trip efficiency and satisfactory cycling stability, the air electrode structure and the electrocatalysts play important roles. Here, a 3D array composed of one-dimensional TiN@Pt 3 Cu nanowires was synthesized and employed as a whole porous air electrode in a lithium-oxygen battery. The TiN nanowire was primarily used as an air electrode frame and catalyst support to provide a high electronic conductivity network because of the high-orientation one-dimensional crystalline structure. Meanwhile, deposited icosahedral Pt 3 Cu nanocrystals exhibit highly efficient catalytic activity owing to the abundant {111} active lattice facets and multiple twin boundaries. This porous air electrode comprises a one-dimensional TiN@Pt 3 Cu nanowire array that demonstrates excellent energy conversion efficiency and rate performance in full discharge and charge modes. The discharge capacity is up to 4600 mAh g -1 along with an 84% conversion efficiency at a current density of 0.2 mA cm -2 , and when the current density increased to 0.8 mA cm -2 , the discharge capacity is still greater than 3500 mAh g -1 together with a nearly 70% efficiency. This designed array is a promising bifunctional porous air electrode for lithium-oxygen batteries, forming a continuous conductive and high catalytic activity network to facilitate rapid gas and electrolyte diffusion and catalytic reaction throughout the whole energy conversion process.

Evident Enhancement of Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production by Electroless Deposition of M-B (M = Ni, Co) Catalysts on Silicon Nanowire Arrays.

PubMed

Yang, Yong; Wang, Mei; Zhang, Peili; Wang, Weihan; Han, Hongxian; Sun, Licheng

2016-11-09

Modification of p-type Si surface by active and stable earth-abundant electrocatalysts is an effective strategy to improve the sluggish kinetics for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at p-Si/electrolyte interface and to develop highly efficient and low-cost photocathodes for hydrogen production from water. To this end, Si nanowire (Si-NW) array has been loaded with highly efficient electrocatalysts, M-B (M = Ni, Co), by facile and quick electroless plating to build M-B catalyst-modified Si nanowire-array-textured photocathodes for water reduction to H 2 . Compared with the bare Si-NW array, composite Si-NWs/M-B arrays display evidently enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. The onset potential (V phon ) of cathodic photocurrent is positively shifted by 530-540 mV to 0.44-0.45 V vs RHE, and the short-circuit current density (J sc ) is up to 19.5 mA cm -2 in neutral buffer solution under simulated 1 sun illumination. Impressively, the half-cell photopower conversion efficiencies (η hc ) of the optimized Si-NWs/Co-B (2.53%) and Si-NWs/Ni-B (2.45%) are comparable to that of Si-NWs/Pt (2.46%). In terms of the large J sc , V phon , and η hc values, as well as the high Faradaic efficiency, Si-NWs/M-B electrodes are among the top performing Si photocathodes which are modified with HER electrocatalysts but have no buried solid/solid junction.

III-V nanowire synthesis by use of electrodeposited gold particles.

PubMed

Jafari Jam, Reza; Heurlin, Magnus; Jain, Vishal; Kvennefors, Anders; Graczyk, Mariusz; Maximov, Ivan; Borgström, Magnus T; Pettersson, Håkan; Samuelson, Lars

2015-01-14

Semiconductor nanowires are great candidates for building novel electronic devices. Considering the cost of fabricating such devices, substrate reuse and gold consumption are the main concerns. Here we report on implementation of high throughput gold electrodeposition for selective deposition of metal seed particles in arrays defined by lithography for nanowire synthesis. By use of this method, a reduction in gold consumption by a factor of at least 300 was achieved, as compared to conventional thermal evaporation for the same pattern. Because this method also facilitates substrate reuse, a significantly reduced cost of the final device is expected. We investigate the morphology, crystallography, and optical properties of InP and GaAs nanowires grown from electrodeposited gold seed particles and compare them with the properties of nanowires grown from seed particles defined by thermal evaporation of gold. We find that nanowire synthesis, as well as the material properties of the grown nanowires are comparable and quite independent of the gold deposition technique. On the basis of these results, electrodeposition is proposed as a key technology for large-scale fabrication of nanowire-based devices.

High speed superconducting nanowire single-photon detector with nine interleaved nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Jia; Zhang, Weijun; You, Lixing; Zhang, Chengjun; Lv, Chaolin; Wang, Yong; Liu, Xiaoyu; Li, Hao; Wang, Zhen

2018-07-01

Count rate (CR) is one of the key parameters of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs). The practical SNSPDs usually have a CR of a few MHz to a few tens of MHz owing to the large kinetic inductance originating from the long nanowire, which is necessary for effectively coupling the photons. A feasible approach to decrease the kinetic inductance and consequently increase the detection speed is to replace a long single nanowire with multiple individual nanowires in an array. In this study, we report an SNSPD of nine interleaved nanowires with 70% system detection efficiency (SDE) and 200 Hz dark count rate at the low-photon-flux limit of 1550 nm. Owing to the small dead time (<6 ns) of each nanowire, the SNSPD achieved a maximum CR of 0.93 GHz at a photon flux of 1.26 × 1010 photons s‑1 with an SDE of ∼7.4%, and a CR of 200 MHz with an SDE of over 50%. Furthermore, a photon number resolvability of up to nine photons was also demonstrated.

Synthesis and magnetic properties of cobalt-iron/cobalt-ferrite soft/hard magnetic core/shell nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leandro Londoño-Calderón, César; Moscoso-Londoño, Oscar; Muraca, Diego; Arzuza, Luis; Carvalho, Peterson; Pirota, Kleber Roberto; Knobel, Marcelo; Pampillo, Laura Gabriela; Martínez-García, Ricardo

2017-06-01

A straightforward method for the synthesis of CoFe2.7/CoFe2O4 core/shell nanowires is described. The proposed method starts with a conventional pulsed electrodeposition procedure on alumina nanoporous template. The obtained CoFe2.7 nanowires are released from the template and allowed to oxidize at room conditions over several weeks. The effects of partial oxidation on the structural and magnetic properties were studied by x-ray spectrometry, magnetometry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the final nanowires are composed of 5 nm iron-cobalt alloy nanoparticles. Releasing the nanowires at room conditions promoted surface oxidation of the nanoparticles and created a CoFe2O4 shell spinel-like structure. The shell avoids internal oxidation and promotes the formation of bi-magnetic soft/hard magnetic core/shell nanowires. The magnetic properties of both the initial single-phase CoFe2.7 nanowires and the final core/shell nanowires, reveal that the changes in the properties from the array are due to the oxidation more than effects associated with released processes (disorder and agglomeration).

Synthesis and magnetic properties of cobalt-iron/cobalt-ferrite soft/hard magnetic core/shell nanowires.

PubMed

Londoño-Calderón, César Leandro; Moscoso-Londoño, Oscar; Muraca, Diego; Arzuza, Luis; Carvalho, Peterson; Pirota, Kleber Roberto; Knobel, Marcelo; Pampillo, Laura Gabriela; Martínez-García, Ricardo

2017-06-16

A straightforward method for the synthesis of CoFe 2.7 /CoFe 2 O 4 core/shell nanowires is described. The proposed method starts with a conventional pulsed electrodeposition procedure on alumina nanoporous template. The obtained CoFe 2.7 nanowires are released from the template and allowed to oxidize at room conditions over several weeks. The effects of partial oxidation on the structural and magnetic properties were studied by x-ray spectrometry, magnetometry, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the final nanowires are composed of 5 nm iron-cobalt alloy nanoparticles. Releasing the nanowires at room conditions promoted surface oxidation of the nanoparticles and created a CoFe 2 O 4 shell spinel-like structure. The shell avoids internal oxidation and promotes the formation of bi-magnetic soft/hard magnetic core/shell nanowires. The magnetic properties of both the initial single-phase CoFe 2.7 nanowires and the final core/shell nanowires, reveal that the changes in the properties from the array are due to the oxidation more than effects associated with released processes (disorder and agglomeration).

Copper and Zinc Oxide Composite Nanostructures for Solar Energy Harvesting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Fei

Solar energy is a clean and sustainable energy source to counter global environmental issues of rising atmospheric CO2 levels and depletion of natural resources. To extract useful work from solar energy, silicon-based photovoltaic devices are extensively used. The technological maturity and the high quality of silicon (Si) make it a material of choice. However limitations in Si exist, ranging from its indirect band gap to low light absorption coefficient and energy and capital intensive crystal growth schemes. Therefore, alternate materials that are earth-abundant, benign and simpler to process are needed for developing new platforms for solar energy harvesting applications. In this study, we explore oxides of copper (CuO and Cu2O) in a nanowire morphology as alternate energy harvesting materials. CuO has a bandgap of 1.2 eV whereas Cu2O has a bandgap of 2.1 eV making them ideally suited for absorbing solar radiation. First, we develop a method to synthesize vertical, single crystalline CuO and Cu2O nanowires of ~50 microm length and aspect ratios of ~200. CuO nanowire arrays are synthesized by thermal oxidation of Cu foils. Cu2O nanowire arrays are synthesized by thermal reduction of CuO nanowires. Next, surface engineering of these nanowires is achieved using atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO. By depositing 1.4 nm of ZnO, a highly defective surface is produced on the CuO nanowires. These defects are capable of trapping charge as is evident through persistent photoconductivity measurements of ZnO coated CuO nanowires. The same nanowires serve as efficient photocatalysts reducing CO2 to CO with a yield of 1.98 mmol/g-cat/hr. Finally, to develop a robust platform for flexible solar cells, a protocol to transfer vertical CuO nanowires inside flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is demonstrated. Embedded CuO nanowires-ZnO pn junctions show a VOC of 0.4 V and a JSC of 10.4 microA/cm2 under white light illumination of 5.7 mW/cm2. Thus, this research provides broad guidance to develop copper oxide nanowires as efficient platforms for a variety of solar energy harvesting applications.

Process Development of Gallium Nitride Phosphide Core-Shell Nanowire Array Solar Cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Chen

Dilute Nitride GaNP is a promising materials for opto-electronic applications due to its band gap tunability. The efficiency of GaNxP1-x /GaNyP1-y core-shell nanowire solar cell (NWSC) is expected to reach as high as 44% by 1% N and 9% N in the core and shell, respectively. By developing such high efficiency NWSCs on silicon substrate, a further reduction of the cost of solar photovoltaic can be further reduced to 61$/MWh, which is competitive to levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of fossil fuels. Therefore, a suitable NWSC structure and fabrication process need to be developed to achieve this promising NWSC. This thesis is devoted to the study on the development of fabrication process of GaNxP 1-x/GaNyP1-y core-shell Nanowire solar cell. The thesis is divided into two major parts. In the first parts, previously grown GaP/GaNyP1-y core-shell nanowire samples are used to develop the fabrication process of Gallium Nitride Phosphide nanowire solar cell. The design for nanowire arrays, passivation layer, polymeric filler spacer, transparent col- lecting layer and metal contact are discussed and fabricated. The property of these NWSCs are also characterized to point out the future development of Gal- lium Nitride Phosphide NWSC. In the second part, a nano-hole template made by nanosphere lithography is studied for selective area growth of nanowires to improve the structure of core-shell NWSC. The fabrication process of nano-hole templates and the results are presented. To have a consistent features of nano-hole tem- plate, the Taguchi Method is used to optimize the fabrication process of nano-hole templates.

Positioning growth of NPB crystalline nanowires on the PTCDA nanocrystal template.

PubMed

Wang, Hong; Lin, Haiping; Fan, Xing; Ostendorp, Stefan; Wang, Yandong; Huang, Lizhen; Jiang, Lin; Li, Youyong; Wilde, Gerhard; Fuchs, Harald; Wang, Wenchong; Chi, Lifeng

2018-05-31

Non-planar organic molecules often form amorphous films via vapor phase deposition on surfaces. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that direct crystalline growth of non-planar NPB is possible when the orientation of initially deposited molecules on a PTCDA nanocrystal template is controlled to make it analogous to the structure of the molecular crystal. The crystalline NPB nanowires can be further positioned by controlling the site-selective growth of PTCDA nanocrystal templates at pre-determined locations. Short channel bottom contact OFET array with the NPB nanowires directly grown on electrodes were subsequently fabricated. The hole mobility of NPB nanowires is improved by 40-fold in comparison to that of the amorphous films.

Nanowire-based thermoelectric ratchet in the hopping regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosisio, Riccardo; Fleury, Geneviève; Pichard, Jean-Louis; Gorini, Cosimo

2016-04-01

We study a thermoelectric ratchet consisting of an array of disordered nanowires arranged in parallel on top of an insulating substrate and contacted asymmetrically to two electrodes. Transport is investigated in the Mott hopping regime, when localized electrons can propagate through the nanowires via thermally assisted hops. When the electronic temperature in the nanowires is different from the phononic one in the substrate, we show that a finite electrical current is generated even in the absence of driving forces between the electrodes. We discuss the device performance both as an energy harvester, when an excess heat from the substrate is converted into useful power, and as a refrigerator, when an external power is supplied to cool down the substrate.

Effects of Functionalization of TiO2 Nanotube Array Sensors with Pd Nanoparticles on Their Selectivity

PubMed Central

Park, Sunghoon; Kim, Soohyun; Park, Suyoung; Lee, Wan In; Lee, Chongmu

2014-01-01

This study compared the responses of Pd-functionalized and pristine titanate (TiO2) nanotube arrays to ethanol with those to acetone to determine the effects of functionalization of TiO2 nanotubes with Pd nanoparticles on the sensitivity and selectivity. The responses of pristine and Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotube arrays to ethanol gas at 200 °C were ∼2877% and ∼21,253%, respectively. On the other hand, the responses of pristine and Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotube arrays to acetone gas at 250 °C were ∼1636% and 8746% respectively. In the case of ethanol sensing, the response and recovery times of Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotubes (10.2 and 7.1 s) were obviously shorter than those of pristine TiO2 nanotubes (14.3 and 8.8 s), respectively. In contrast, in the case of acetone sensing the response and recovery times of Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotubes (42.5 and 19.7 s) were almost the same as those of pristine TiO2 nanotubes (47.2 and 17.9 s). TiO2 nanotube arrays showed the strongest response to ethanol and Pd functionalization was the most effective in improving the response of TiO2 nanotubes to ethanol among six different types of gases: ethanol, acetone, CO, H2, NH3 and NO2. The origin of the superior sensing properties of Pd-functionalized TiO2 nanotubes toward ethanol to acetone is also discussed. PMID:25166499

Magnetic interactions and reversal mechanisms in Co nanowire and nanotube arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proenca, M. P.; Sousa, C. T.; Escrig, J.; Ventura, J.; Vazquez, M.; Araujo, J. P.

2013-03-01

Ordered hexagonal arrays of Co nanowires (NWs) and nanotubes (NTs), with diameters between 40 and 65 nm, were prepared by potentiostatic electrodeposition into suitably modified nanoporous alumina templates. The geometrical parameters of the NW/NT arrays were tuned by the pore etching process and deposition conditions. The magnetic interactions between NWs/NTs with different diameters were studied using first-order reversal curves (FORCs). From a quantitative analysis of the FORC measurements, we are able to obtain the profiles of the magnetic interactions and the coercive field distributions. In both NW and NT arrays, the magnetic interactions were found to increase with the diameter of the NWs/NTs, exhibiting higher values for NW arrays. A comparative study of the magnetization reversal processes was also performed by analyzing the angular dependence of the coercivity and correlating the experimental data with theoretical calculations based on a simple analytical model. The magnetization in the NW arrays is found to reverse by the nucleation and propagation of a transverse-like domain wall; on the other hand, for the NT arrays a non-monotonic behavior occurs above a diameter of ˜50 nm, revealing a transition between the vortex and transverse reversal modes.

Bridging the Gap between the Nanometer-Scale Bottom-Up and Micrometer-Scale Top-Down Approaches for Site-Defined InP/InAs Nanowires.

PubMed

Zhang, Guoqiang; Rainville, Christophe; Salmon, Adrian; Takiguchi, Masato; Tateno, Kouta; Gotoh, Hideki

2015-11-24

This work presents a method that bridges the gap between the nanometer-scale bottom-up and micrometer-scale top-down approaches for site-defined nanostructures, which has long been a significant challenge for applications that require low-cost and high-throughput manufacturing processes. We realized the bridging by controlling the seed indium nanoparticle position through a self-assembly process. Site-defined InP nanowires were then grown from the indium-nanoparticle array in the vapor-liquid-solid mode through a "seed and grow" process. The nanometer-scale indium particles do not always occupy the same locations within the micrometer-scale open window of an InP exposed substrate due to the scale difference. We developed a technique for aligning the nanometer-scale indium particles on the same side of the micrometer-scale window by structuring the surface of a misoriented InP (111)B substrate. Finally, we demonstrated that the developed method can be used to grow a uniform InP/InAs axial-heterostructure nanowire array. The ability to form a heterostructure nanowire array with this method makes it possible to tune the emission wavelength over a wide range by employing the quantum confinement effect and thus expand the application of this technology to optoelectronic devices. Successfully pairing a controllable bottom-up growth technique with a top-down substrate preparation technique greatly improves the potential for the mass-production and widespread adoption of this technology.

Construction of Hierarchical CuO/Cu2O@NiCo2S4 Nanowire Arrays on Copper Foam for High Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes

PubMed Central

Zhou, Luoxiao; He, Ying; Jia, Congpu; Pavlinek, Vladimir; Saha, Petr; Cheng, Qilin

2017-01-01

Hierarchical copper oxide @ ternary nickel cobalt sulfide (CuO/Cu2O@NiCo2S4) core-shell nanowire arrays on Cu foam have been successfully constructed by a facile two-step strategy. Vertically aligned CuO/Cu2O nanowire arrays are firstly grown on Cu foam by one-step thermal oxidation of Cu foam, followed by electrodeposition of NiCo2S4 nanosheets on the surface of CuO/Cu2O nanowires to form the CuO/Cu2O@NiCo2S4 core-shell nanostructures. Structural and morphological characterizations indicate that the average thickness of the NiCo2S4 nanosheets is ~20 nm and the diameter of CuO/Cu2O core is ~50 nm. Electrochemical properties of the hierarchical composites as integrated binder-free electrodes for supercapacitor were evaluated by various electrochemical methods. The hierarchical composite electrodes could achieve ultrahigh specific capacitance of 3.186 F cm−2 at 10 mA cm−2, good rate capability (82.06% capacitance retention at the current density from 2 to 50 mA cm−2) and excellent cycling stability, with capacitance retention of 96.73% after 2000 cycles at 10 mA cm−2. These results demonstrate the significance of optimized design and fabrication of electrode materials with more sufficient electrolyte-electrode interface, robust structural integrity and fast ion/electron transfer. PMID:28914819

Optimal and Local Connectivity Between Neuron and Synapse Array in the Quantum Dot/Silicon Brain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duong, Tuan A.; Assad, Christopher; Thakoor, Anikumar P.

2010-01-01

This innovation is used to connect between synapse and neuron arrays using nanowire in quantum dot and metal in CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) technology to enable the density of a brain-like connection in hardware. The hardware implementation combines three technologies: 1. Quantum dot and nanowire-based compact synaptic cell (50x50 sq nm) with inherently low parasitic capacitance (hence, low dynamic power approx.l0(exp -11) watts/synapse), 2. Neuron and learning circuits implemented in 50-nm CMOS technology, to be integrated with quantum dot and nanowire synapse, and 3. 3D stacking approach to achieve the overall numbers of high density O(10(exp 12)) synapses and O(10(exp 8)) neurons in the overall system. In a 1-sq cm of quantum dot layer sitting on a 50-nm CMOS layer, innovators were able to pack a 10(exp 6)-neuron and 10(exp 10)-synapse array; however, the constraint for the connection scheme is that each neuron will receive a non-identical 10(exp 4)-synapse set, including itself, via its efficacy of the connection. This is not a fully connected system where the 100x100 synapse array only has a 100-input data bus and 100-output data bus. Due to the data bus sharing, it poses a great challenge to have a complete connected system, and its constraint within the quantum dot and silicon wafer layer. For an effective connection scheme, there are three conditions to be met: 1. Local connection. 2. The nanowire should be connected locally, not globally from which it helps to maximize the data flow by sharing the same wire space location. 3. Each synapse can have an alternate summation line if needed (this option is doable based on the simple mask creation). The 10(exp 3)x10(exp 3)-neuron array was partitioned into a 10-block, 10(exp 2)x10(exp 3)-neuron array. This building block can be completely mapped within itself (10,000 synapses to a neuron).

Unique X-ray emission characteristics from volumetrically heated nanowire array plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocca, J. J.; Bargsten, C.; Hollinger, R.; Shlyaptsev, V.; Pukhov, A.; Kaymak, V.; Capeluto, G.; Keiss, D.; Townsend, A.; Rockwood, A.; Wang, Y.; Wang, S.

2015-11-01

Highly anisotropic emission of hard X-ray radiation (h ν >10 keV) is observed when arrays of ordered nanowires (50 nm diameter wires of Au or Ni) are volumetrically heated by normal incidence irradiation with high contrast 50-60 fs laser pulses of relativistic intensity. The annular emission is in contrast with angular distribution of softer X-rays (h ν >1 KeV) from these targets and with the X-ray radiation emitted by polished flat targets, both of which are nearly isotropic. Model computations that make use the electron energy distribution computed by particle-in-cell simulations show that the unexpected annular distribution of the hard x-rays is the result of bremsstrahlung from fast electrons. Volumetric heating of Au nanowire arrays irradiated with an intensity of 2 x 10 19 W cm-2 is measured to convert laser energy into h ν>1KeV photons with a record efficiency of >8 percent into 2 π, creating a bright picosecond X-ray source for applications. Work supported by the Office of Fusion Energy Science of the U.S Department of Energy, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. A.P was supported by DFG project TR18.

Integration of a highly ordered gold nanowires array with glucose oxidase for ultra-sensitive glucose detection.

PubMed

Cui, Jiewu; Adeloju, Samuel B; Wu, Yucheng

2014-01-27

A highly sensitive amperometric nanobiosensor has been developed by integration of glucose oxidase (GO(x)) with a gold nanowires array (AuNWA) by cross-linking with a mixture of glutaraldehyde (GLA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). An initial investigation of the morphology of the synthesized AuNWA by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) revealed that the nanowires array was highly ordered with rough surface, and the electrochemical features of the AuNWA with/without modification were also investigated. The integrated AuNWA-BSA-GLA-GO(x) nanobiosensor with Nafion membrane gave a very high sensitivity of 298.2 μA cm(-2) mM(-1) for amperometric detection of glucose, while also achieving a low detection limit of 0.1 μM, and a wide linear range of 5-6000 μM. Furthermore, the nanobiosensor exhibited excellent anti-interference ability towards uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA) with the aid of Nafion membrane, and the results obtained for the analysis of human blood serum indicated that the device is capable of glucose detection in real samples. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

2D XANES-XEOL mapping: observation of enhanced band gap emission from ZnO nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhiqiang; Guo, Xiaoxuan; Sham, Tsun-Kong

2014-05-01

Using 2D XANES-XEOL spectroscopy, it is found that the band gap emission of ZnO nanowire arrays is substantially enhanced i.e. that the intensity ratio between the band gap and defect emissions increases by more than an order of magnitude when the excitation energy is scanned across the O K-edge. Possible mechanisms are discussed.Using 2D XANES-XEOL spectroscopy, it is found that the band gap emission of ZnO nanowire arrays is substantially enhanced i.e. that the intensity ratio between the band gap and defect emissions increases by more than an order of magnitude when the excitation energy is scanned across the O K-edge. Possible mechanisms are discussed. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: XEOL spectra with different excitation energies. X-ray attenuation length vs. photon energy. Details of surface defects in ZnO NWs. The second O K-edge and Zn L-edge 2D XANES-XEOL maps. Comparison of the first and second TEY at O K-edge and Zn L-edge scans, respectively. Raman spectra of the ZnO NWs with different IBGE/IDE ratios. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr01049c

Three-Dimensional NiCo2O4@Polypyrrole Coaxial Nanowire Arrays on Carbon Textiles for High-Performance Flexible Asymmetric Solid-State Supercapacitor.

PubMed

Kong, Dezhi; Ren, Weina; Cheng, Chuanwei; Wang, Ye; Huang, Zhixiang; Yang, Hui Ying

2015-09-30

In this article, we report a novel electrode of NiCo2O4 nanowire arrays (NWAs) on carbon textiles with a polypyrrole (PPy) nanosphere shell layer to enhance the pseudocapacitive performance. The merits of highly conductive PPy and short ion transport channels in ordered NiCo2O4 mesoporous nanowire arrays together with the synergistic effect between NiCo2O4 and PPy result in a high specific capacitance of 2244 F g(-1), excellent rate capability, and cycling stability in NiCo2O4/PPy electrode. Moreover, a lightweight and flexible asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device is successfully assembled using the hybrid NiCo2O4@PPy NWAs and activated carbon (AC) as electrodes, achieving high energy density (58.8 W h kg(-1) at 365 W kg(-1)), outstanding power density (10.2 kW kg(-1) at 28.4 W h kg(-1)) and excellent cycling stability (∼89.2% retention after 5000 cycles), as well as high flexibility. The three-dimensional coaxial architecture design opens up new opportunities to fabricate a high-performance flexible supercapacitor for future portable and wearable electronic devices.

Low-Cost Photolithographic Fabrication of Nanowires and Microfilters for Advanced Bioassay Devices

PubMed Central

Doan, Nhi M.; Qiang, Liangliang; Li, Zhe; Vaddiraju, Santhisagar; Bishop, Gregory W.; Rusling, James F.; Papadimitrakopoulos, Fotios

2015-01-01

Integrated microfluidic devices with nanosized array electrodes and microfiltration capabilities can greatly increase sensitivity and enhance automation in immunoassay devices. In this contribution, we utilize the edge-patterning method of thin aluminum (Al) films in order to form nano- to micron-sized gaps. Evaporation of high work-function metals (i.e., Au, Ag, etc.) on these gaps, followed by Al lift-off, enables the formation of electrical uniform nanowires from low-cost, plastic-based, photomasks. By replacing Al with chromium (Cr), the formation of high resolution, custom-made photomasks that are ideal for low-cost fabrication of a plurality of array devices were realized. To demonstrate the feasibility of such Cr photomasks, SU-8 micro-pillar masters were formed and replicated into PDMS to produce micron-sized filters with 3–4 µm gaps and an aspect ratio of 3. These microfilters were capable of retaining 6 µm beads within a localized site, while allowing solvent flow. The combination of nanowire arrays and micro-pillar filtration opens new perspectives for rapid R&D screening of various microfluidic-based immunoassay geometries, where analyte pre-concentration and highly sensitive, electrochemical detection can be readily co-localized. PMID:25774709

High Discharge Energy Density at Low Electric Field Using an Aligned Titanium Dioxide/Lead Zirconate Titanate Nanowire Array.

PubMed

Zhang, Dou; Liu, Weiwei; Guo, Ru; Zhou, Kechao; Luo, Hang

2018-02-01

Polymer-based capacitors with high energy density have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their wide range of potential applications in electronic devices. However, the obtained high energy density is predominantly dependent on high applied electric field, e.g., 400-600 kV mm -1 , which may bring more challenges relating to the failure probability. Here, a simple two-step method for synthesizing titanium dioxide/lead zirconate titanate nanowire arrays is exploited and a demonstration of their ability to achieve high discharge energy density capacitors for low operating voltage applications is provided. A high discharge energy density of 6.9 J cm -3 is achieved at low electric fields, i.e., 143 kV mm -1 , which is attributed to the high relative permittivity of 218.9 at 1 kHz and high polarization of 23.35 µC cm -2 at this electric field. The discharge energy density obtained in this work is the highest known for a ceramic/polymer nanocomposite at such a low electric field. The novel nanowire arrays used in this work are applicable to a wide range of fields, such as energy harvesting, energy storage, and photocatalysis.

Fabrication and characterization of gold nano-wires templated on virus-like arrays of tobacco mosaic virus coat proteins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wnęk, M.; Górzny, M. Ł.; Ward, M. B.; Wälti, C.; Davies, A. G.; Brydson, R.; Evans, S. D.; Stockley, P. G.

2013-01-01

The rod-shaped plant virus tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is widely used as a nano-fabrication template, and chimeric peptide expression on its major coat protein has extended its potential applications. Here we describe a simple bacterial expression system for production and rapid purification of recombinant chimeric TMV coat protein carrying C-terminal peptide tags. These proteins do not bind TMV RNA or form disks at pH 7. However, they retain the ability to self-assemble into virus-like arrays at acidic pH. C-terminal peptide tags in such arrays are exposed on the protein surface, allowing interaction with target species. We have utilized a C-terminal His-tag to create virus coat protein-templated nano-rods able to bind gold nanoparticles uniformly. These can be transformed into gold nano-wires by deposition of additional gold atoms from solution, followed by thermal annealing. The resistivity of a typical annealed wire created by this approach is significantly less than values reported for other nano-wires made using different bio-templates. This expression construct is therefore a useful additional tool for the creation of chimeric TMV-like nano-rods for bio-templating.

Growth of large-scale nanotwinned Cu nanowire arrays from anodic aluminum oxide membrane by electrochemical deposition process: controllable nanotwin density and growth orientation with enhanced electrical endurance performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, Tsung-Cheng; Lin, Yen-Miao; Tsai, Hung-Wei; Wang, Zhiming M.; Liao, Chien-Neng; Chueh, Yu-Lun

2014-06-01

Densely nanotwinned Cu nanowire (NW) arrays with an identical diameter of ~55 nm were fabricated by pulse electrochemical deposition at low temperature using anodic aluminum oxide as a template. Different growth orientations of nanotwinned Cu nanowire arrays were investigated. The endurance of the electrical current density before breakdown of the nanotwinned Cu NWs can reach up to 2.4 × 108 A cm-2. The formation of highly dense nanotwins is attributed to relaxation of coalescence induced stress and twin fault stacking when Cu NWs grow by two-dimensional kinetics. A mechanism based on the twinning structure effect on the electromigration was proposed to explain the improved electrical endurance of Cu. The result demonstrates that the formation of nanotwins into Cu NWs can effectively suppress the void growth, leading to extended life time for use in electronic devices.Densely nanotwinned Cu nanowire (NW) arrays with an identical diameter of ~55 nm were fabricated by pulse electrochemical deposition at low temperature using anodic aluminum oxide as a template. Different growth orientations of nanotwinned Cu nanowire arrays were investigated. The endurance of the electrical current density before breakdown of the nanotwinned Cu NWs can reach up to 2.4 × 108 A cm-2. The formation of highly dense nanotwins is attributed to relaxation of coalescence induced stress and twin fault stacking when Cu NWs grow by two-dimensional kinetics. A mechanism based on the twinning structure effect on the electromigration was proposed to explain the improved electrical endurance of Cu. The result demonstrates that the formation of nanotwins into Cu NWs can effectively suppress the void growth, leading to extended life time for use in electronic devices. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: X-ray diffraction spectra of Cu NWs grown by electrochemical deposition with a current density of 1.5 A cm-2 at -1 °C and room temperature; bright-field TEM images of Cu NWs deposited at -1 °C with a current density of 0.4, 0.8, 1.8, and 1.5 A cm-2, respectively; illustration of the effect of twin density on the MTTF of Cu NWs. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr06194a

Dealloying of gold–copper alloy nanowires: From hillocks to ring-shaped nanopores

PubMed Central

Chauvin, Adrien; Delacôte, Cyril; Boujtita, Mohammed; Angleraud, Benoit; Ding, Junjun; Choi, Chang-Hwan; Tessier, Pierre-Yves

2016-01-01

Summary We report on a novel fabrication approach of metal nanowires with complex surface. Taking advantage of nodular growth triggered by the presence of surface defects created intentionally on the substrate as well as the high tilt angle between the magnetron source axis and the normal to the substrate, metal nanowires containing hillocks emerging out of the surface can be created. The approach is demonstrated for several metals and alloys including gold, copper, silver, gold–copper and gold–silver. We demonstrate that applying an electrochemical dealloying process to the gold–copper alloy nanowire arrays allows for transforming the hillocks into ring-like shaped nanopores. The resulting porous gold nanowires exhibit a very high roughness and high specific surface making of them a promising candidate for the development of SERS-based sensors. PMID:27826510

Shape anisotropy and hybridization enhanced magnetization in nanowires of Fe/MgO/Fe encapsulated in carbon nanotubes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aryee, Dennis; Seifu, Dereje

Arrays of tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) nanowires were synthesized for the first time by filling Fe/MgO/Fe inside vertically grown and substrate supported carbon nanotubes. The magnetic properties of nanowires and planar nanoscale thin films of Fe/MgO/Fe showed several similarities, such as two-fold magnetic symmetry and ratio of orbital moment to spin moment. Nanowires of Fe/MgO/Fe showed higher saturation magnetization by a factor of 2.7 compared to planar thin films of Fe/MgO/Fe at 1.5 kOe. The enhanced magnetic properties likely resulted from shape anisotropy of the nanowires and as well as the hybridization that occur between the π- electronic states of carbonmore » and 3d-bands of the Fe-surface.« less

Amplified Thermionic Cooling Using Arrays of Nanowires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Eui-Hyeok; Choi, Daniel; Shcheglov, Kirill; Hishinuma, Yoshikazu

2007-01-01

A class of proposed thermionic cooling devices would incorporate precise arrays of metal nanowires as electron emitters. The proposed devices could be highly miniaturized, enabling removal of heat from locations, very close to electronic devices, that have previously been inaccessible for heat-removal purposes. The resulting enhancement of removal of heat would enable operation of the devices at higher power levels and higher clock speeds. Moreover, the mass, complexity, and bulk of electronic circuitry incorporating these highly miniaturized cooling devices could be considerably reduced, relative to otherwise equivalent circuitry cooled by conventional electromechanical, thermoelectric, and fluidic means. In thermionic cooling, one exploits the fact that because only the highest-energy electrons are thermionically emitted, collecting those electrons to prevent their return to the emitting electrode results in the net removal of heat from that electrode. Collection is effected by applying an appropriate positive bias potential to another electrode placed near the emitting electrode. The concept underlying the proposal is that the thermionic-emission current and, hence, the cooling effect attainable by use of an array of nanowires could be significantly greater than that attainable by use of a single emitting electrode or other electron- emitting surface. The wires in an array according to the proposal would protrude perpendicularly from a planar surface and their heights would be made uniform to within a sub-nanometer level of precision

Aluminum-catalyzed silicon nanowires: Growth methods, properties, and applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hainey, Mel F.; Redwing, Joan M.

Metal-mediated vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth is a promising approach for the fabrication of silicon nanowires, although residual metal incorporation into the nanowires during growth can adversely impact electronic properties particularly when metals such as gold and copper are utilized. Aluminum, which acts as a shallow acceptor in silicon, is therefore of significant interest for the growth of p-type silicon nanowires but has presented challenges due to its propensity for oxidation. This paper summarizes the key aspects of aluminum-catalyzed nanowire growth along with wire properties and device results. In the first section, aluminum-catalyzed nanowire growth is discussed with a specific emphasis onmore » methods to mitigate aluminum oxide formation. Next, the influence of growth parameters such as growth temperature, precursor partial pressure, and hydrogen partial pressure on nanowire morphology is discussed, followed by a brief review of the growth of templated and patterned arrays of nanowires. Aluminum incorporation into the nanowires is then discussed in detail, including measurements of the aluminum concentration within wires using atom probe tomography and assessment of electrical properties by four point resistance measurements. Finally, the use of aluminum-catalyzed VLS growth for device fabrication is reviewed including results on single-wire radial p-n junction solar cells and planar solar cells fabricated with nanowire/nanopyramid texturing.« less

Development of Highly Ordered Heterostructured Semiconductor Nanowire Arrays for Sub-Wavelength Optical Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

properties of nanowires" J. Appl. Phys 98, 094306 (2005) 9. Harry E. Ruda and Alexander Shik, "Polarization-sensitive optical properties of metallic and...34Biexcitons in parabolic quantum dots", Phys. Rev. B. 73, 125321 (2006). 11. M. Blumin, H.E. Ruda, I. Savelyev , A Shik and H. Wang, "Self-assembled InAs

Template-assisted growth of transparent plasmonic nanowire electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caterina Giordano, Maria; Repetto, Diego; Mennucci, Carlo; Carrara, Angelica; Buatier de Mongeot, Francesco

2016-12-01

Self-organized nanowire arrays are confined by glancing-angle Au deposition on nanopatterned glass templates prepared by ion beam sputtering. The semi-transparent 1D nanowire arrays are extended over large cm2 areas and are endowed with excellent electrical conductivity competitive with the best transparent conductive oxides (sheet resistance in the range of 5-20 Ohm sq-1). In addition, the nanowires support localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances, which are easily tunable into the visible and near infrared spectrum and are selectively excited with incident light polarized perpendicularly to the wires. Such substrates, thus, behave as multifunctional nanoelectrodes, which combine good optoelectronic performance with dichroic plasmonic excitation. The electrical percolation process of the Au nanoelectrodes was monitored in situ during growth at glancing angle, both on flat and nanopatterned glass templates. In the first case, we observed a universal scaling of the differential percolation rate, independently of the glancing deposition angle, while deviations from the universal scaling were observed when Au was confined on nanopatterned templates. In the latter case, the pronounced shadowing effect promotes the growth of locally connected 1D Au nanosticks on the ‘illuminated’ ripple ridges, thus, introducing strong anisotropies with respect to the case of a 2D percolating network.

Self-assembly and hierarchical patterning of aligned organic nanowire arrays by solvent evaporation on substrates with patterned wettability.

PubMed

Bao, Rong-Rong; Zhang, Cheng-Yi; Zhang, Xiu-Juan; Ou, Xue-Mei; Lee, Chun-Sing; Jie, Jian-Sheng; Zhang, Xiao-Hong

2013-06-26

The controlled growth and alignment of one-dimensional organic nanostructures at well-defined locations considerably hinders the integration of nanostructures for electronic and optoelectronic applications. Here, we demonstrate a simple process to achieve the growth, alignment, and hierarchical patterning of organic nanowires on substrates with controlled patterns of surface wettability. The first-level pattern is confined by the substrate patterns of wettability. Organic nanostructures are preferentially grown on solvent wettable regions. The second-level pattern is the patterning of aligned organic nanowires deposited by controlling the shape and movement of the solution contact lines during evaporation on the wettable regions. This process is controlled by the cover-hat-controlled method or vertical evaportation method. Therefore, various new patterns of organic nanostructures can be obtained by combing these two levels of patterns. This simple method proves to be a general approach that can be applied to other organic nanostructure systems. Using the as-prepared patterned nanowire arrays, an optoelectronic device (photodetector) is easily fabricated. Hence, the proposed simple, large-scale, low-cost method of preparing patterns of highly ordered organic nanostructures has high potential applications in various electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Green Synthesis of Ag and Pd Nanospheres, Nanowires, and Nanorods Using Vitamin B 2 : Catalytic Polymerisation of Aniline and Pyrrole

DOE PAGES

Nadagouda, Mallikarjuna N.; Varma, Rajender S.

2008-01-01

Formore » the first time, we report green chemistry approach using vitamin B 2 in the synthesis of silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd), nanospheres, nanowires, and nanorods at room temperature without using any harmful reducing agents, such as sodium borohydride ( NaBH 4 ) or hydroxylamine hydrochloride and any special capping or dispersing agent. Vitamin B 2 was used as reducing agent as well as capping agent due to its high-water solubility, biodegradability, and low-toxicity compared with other reducing agents. The average particle size of nanoprticle was found to be Ag (average size 6.1 ± 0.1 nm) and Pd (average size 4.1 ± 0.1 nm) nanoparticles in ethylene glycol and Ag (average size 5.9 ± 0.1 nm, and average size 6.1 ± 0.1) nanoparticles in acetic acid and NMP, respectively. The formation of noble multiple shape nanostructures and their self assembly were dependent on the solvent employed for the preparation. When water was used as solvent media, Ag and Pd nanoparticles started to self-assemble into rod-like structures and in isopropanol Ag and Pd nanoparticles yielded wire-like structures with a thickness in the range of 10 to 20 nm and several hundred microns in length. In acetone and acetonitrile medium, the Ag and Pd nanoparticles are self-assembled into a regular pattern making nanorod structures with thicknesses ranging from 100 to 200 nm and lengths of a few microns. The so-synthesized nanostructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and UV spectroscopy. The ensuing Ag and Pd nanoparticles catalyzed the reactions of aniline and pyrrole to generate polyaniline and polypyrrole nanofibers and may find various technological and biological applications. This single-step greener approach is general and can be extended to other noble metals and transition metal oxides.« less

Programmable assembly of nanoarchitectures using genetically engineered viruses.

PubMed

Huang, Yu; Chiang, Chung-Yi; Lee, Soo Kwan; Gao, Yan; Hu, Evelyn L; De Yoreo, James; Belcher, Angela M

2005-07-01

Biological systems possess inherent molecular recognition and self-assembly capabilities and are attractive templates for constructing complex material structures with molecular precision. Here we report the assembly of various nanoachitectures including nanoparticle arrays, hetero-nanoparticle architectures, and nanowires utilizing highly engineered M13 bacteriophage as templates. The genome of M13 phage can be rationally engineered to produce viral particles with distinct substrate-specific peptides expressed on the filamentous capsid and the ends, providing a generic template for programmable assembly of complex nanostructures. Phage clones with gold-binding motifs on the capsid and streptavidin-binding motifs at one end are created and used to assemble Au and CdSe nanocrytals into ordered one-dimensional arrays and more complex geometries. Initial studies show such nanoparticle arrays can further function as templates to nucleate highly conductive nanowires that are important for addressing/interconnecting individual nanostructures.

In-situ device integration of large-area patterned organic nanowire arrays for high-performance optical sensors

PubMed Central

Wu, Yiming; Zhang, Xiujuan; Pan, Huanhuan; Deng, Wei; Zhang, Xiaohong; Zhang, Xiwei; Jie, Jiansheng

2013-01-01

Single-crystalline organic nanowires (NWs) are important building blocks for future low-cost and efficient nano-optoelectronic devices due to their extraordinary properties. However, it remains a critical challenge to achieve large-scale organic NW array assembly and device integration. Herein, we demonstrate a feasible one-step method for large-area patterned growth of cross-aligned single-crystalline organic NW arrays and their in-situ device integration for optical image sensors. The integrated image sensor circuitry contained a 10 × 10 pixel array in an area of 1.3 × 1.3 mm2, showing high spatial resolution, excellent stability and reproducibility. More importantly, 100% of the pixels successfully operated at a high response speed and relatively small pixel-to-pixel variation. The high yield and high spatial resolution of the operational pixels, along with the high integration level of the device, clearly demonstrate the great potential of the one-step organic NW array growth and device construction approach for large-scale optoelectronic device integration. PMID:24287887

Photon Transport in One-Dimensional Incommensurately Epitaxial CsPbX 3 Arrays

DOE PAGES

Wang, Yiping; Sun, Xin; Shivanna, Ravichandran; ...

2016-11-16

One-dimensional nanoscale epitaxial arrays serve as a great model in studying fundamental physics and for emerging applications. With an increasing focus laid on the Cs-based inorganic halide perovskite out of its outstanding material stability, we have applied vapor phase epitaxy to grow well aligned horizontal CsPbX 3 (X: Cl, Br, or I or their mixed) nanowire arrays in large scale on mica substrate. The as-grown nanowire features a triangular prism morphology with typical length ranging from a few tens of micrometers to a few millimeters. Structural analysis reveals that the wire arrays follow the symmetry of mica substrate through incommensuratemore » epitaxy, paving a way for a universally applicable method to grow a broad family of halide perovskite materials. We have studied the unique photon transport in the one-dimensional structure in the all-inorganic Cs-based perovskite wires via temperature dependent and spatially resolved photoluminescence. Furthermore, epitaxy of well oriented wire arrays in halide perovskite would be a promising direction for enabling the circuit-level applications of halide perovskite in high-performance electro-optics and optoelectronics.« less

Nanowire dopant measurement using secondary ion mass spectrometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chia, A. C. E.; Boulanger, J. P.; Wood, B. A.

2015-09-21

A method is presented to improve the quantitative determination of dopant concentration in semiconductor nanowire (NW) arrays using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). SIMS measurements were used to determine Be dopant concentrations in a Be-doped GaAs thin film and NW arrays of various pitches that were dry-etched from the same film. A comparison of these measurements revealed a factor of 3 to 12 difference, depending on the NW array pitch, between the secondary Be ion yields of the film and the NW arrays, despite being identically doped. This was due to matrix effects and ion beam mixing of Be frommore » the NWs into the surrounding benzocyclobutene that was used to fill the space between the NWs. This indicates the need for etched NWs to be used as doping standards instead of 2D films when evaluating NWs of unknown doping by SIMS. Using the etched NWs as doping standards, NW arrays of various pitches grown by the vapour-liquid-solid mechanism were characterized by SIMS to yield valuable insights into doping mechanisms.« less

All-in-One Nanowire-Decorated Multifunctional Membrane for Rapid Cell Lysis and Direct DNA Isolation

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

This paper describes a handheld device that uses an all-in-one membrane for continuous mechanical cell lysis and rapid DNA isolation without the assistance of power sources, lysis reagents, and routine centrifugation. This nanowire-decorated multifunctional membrane was fabricated to isolate DNA by selective adsorption to silica surface immediately after disruption of nucleus membranes by ultrasharp tips of nanowires for a rapid cell lysis, and it can be directly assembled with commercial syringe filter holders. The membrane was fabricated by photoelectrochemical etching to create microchannel arrays followed by hydrothermal synthesis of nanowires and deposition of silica. The proposed membrane successfully purifies high-quality DNA within 5 min, whereas a commercial purification kit needs more than an hour. PMID:25420232

Top-down synthesized TiO2 nanowires as a solid matrix for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Kim, Jo-Il; Park, Jong-Min; Hwang, Seung-Ju; Kang, Min-Jung; Pyun, Jae-Chul

2014-07-11

Top-down synthesized TiO2 nanowires are presented as an ideal solid matrix to analyze small biomolecules at a m/z of less than 500. The TiO2 nanowires were synthesized as arrays using a modified hydrothermal process directly on the surface of a Ti plate. Finally, the feasibility of the TiO2 nanowires in the anatase phase as a solid matrix. The crystal and electronic structures of the top-down TiO2 nanowires were analyzed at each step of the hydrothermal process, and the optimal TiO2 nanowires were identified by checking their performance toward the ionization of analytes in surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Finally, the feasibility of the TiO2 nanowires in the anatase phase as a solid matrix for SALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was demonstrated using eight types of amino acids and peptides as model analytes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Core-shell homojunction silicon vertical nanowire tunneling field-effect transistors.

PubMed

Yoon, Jun-Sik; Kim, Kihyun; Baek, Chang-Ki

2017-01-23

We propose three-terminal core-shell (CS) silicon vertical nanowire tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs), which can be fabricated by conventional CMOS technology. CS TFETs show lower subthreshold swing (SS) and higher on-state current than conventional TFETs through their high surface-to-volume ratio, which increases carrier-tunneling region with no additional device area. The on-state current can be enhanced by increasing the nanowire height, decreasing equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) or creating a nanowire array. The off-state current is also manageable for power saving through selective epitaxial growth at the top-side nanowire region. CS TFETs with an EOT of 0.8 nm and an aspect ratio of 20 for the core nanowire region provide the largest drain current ranges with point SS values below 60 mV/dec and superior on/off current ratio under all operation voltages of 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 V. These devices are promising for low-power applications at low fabrication cost and high device density.

Lithography Assisted Fiber-Drawing Nanomanufacturing

PubMed Central

Gholipour, Behrad; Bastock, Paul; Cui, Long; Craig, Christopher; Khan, Khouler; Hewak, Daniel W.; Soci, Cesare

2016-01-01

We present a high-throughput and scalable technique for the production of metal nanowires embedded in glass fibres by taking advantage of thin film properties and patterning techniques commonly used in planar microfabrication. This hybrid process enables the fabrication of single nanowires and nanowire arrays encased in a preform material within a single fibre draw, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming iterative fibre drawing. This method allows the combination of materials with different thermal properties to create functional optoelectronic nanostructures. As a proof of principle of the potential of this technique, centimetre long gold nanowires (bulk Tm = 1064 °C) embedded in silicate glass fibres (Tg = 567 °C) were drawn in a single step with high aspect ratios (>104); such nanowires can be released from the glass matrix and show relatively high electrical conductivity. Overall, this fabrication method could enable mass manufacturing of metallic nanowires for plasmonics and nonlinear optics applications, as well as the integration of functional multimaterial structures for completely fiberised optoelectronic devices. PMID:27739543

Gallium Nitride Nanowires and Heterostructures: Toward Color-Tunable and White-Light Sources.

PubMed

Kuykendall, Tevye R; Schwartzberg, Adam M; Aloni, Shaul

2015-10-14

Gallium-nitride-based light-emitting diodes have enabled the commercialization of efficient solid-state lighting devices. Nonplanar nanomaterial architectures, such as nanowires and nanowire-based heterostructures, have the potential to significantly improve the performance of light-emitting devices through defect reduction, strain relaxation, and increased junction area. In addition, relaxation of internal strain caused by indium incorporation will facilitate pushing the emission wavelength into the red. This could eliminate inefficient phosphor conversion and enable color-tunable emission or white-light emission by combining blue, green, and red sources. Utilizing the waveguiding modes of the individual nanowires will further enhance light emission, and the properties of photonic structures formed by nanowire arrays can be implemented to improve light extraction. Recent advances in synthetic methods leading to better control over GaN and InGaN nanowire synthesis are described along with new concept devices leading to efficient white-light emission. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Electrical detection of single viruses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patolsky, Fernando; Zheng, Gengfeng; Hayden, Oliver; Lakadamyali, Melike; Zhuang, Xiaowei; Lieber, Charles M.

2004-09-01

We report direct, real-time electrical detection of single virus particles with high selectivity by using nanowire field effect transistors. Measurements made with nanowire arrays modified with antibodies for influenza A showed discrete conductance changes characteristic of binding and unbinding in the presence of influenza A but not paramyxovirus or adenovirus. Simultaneous electrical and optical measurements using fluorescently labeled influenza A were used to demonstrate conclusively that the conductance changes correspond to binding/unbinding of single viruses at the surface of nanowire devices. pH-dependent studies further show that the detection mechanism is caused by a field effect, and that the nanowire devices can be used to determine rapidly isoelectric points and variations in receptor-virus binding kinetics for different conditions. Lastly, studies of nanowire devices modified with antibodies specific for either influenza or adenovirus show that multiple viruses can be selectively detected in parallel. The possibility of large-scale integration of these nanowire devices suggests potential for simultaneous detection of a large number of distinct viral threats at the single virus level.

GaAs nanowire array solar cells with axial p-i-n junctions.

PubMed

Yao, Maoqing; Huang, Ningfeng; Cong, Sen; Chi, Chun-Yung; Seyedi, M Ashkan; Lin, Yen-Ting; Cao, Yu; Povinelli, Michelle L; Dapkus, P Daniel; Zhou, Chongwu

2014-06-11

Because of unique structural, optical, and electrical properties, solar cells based on semiconductor nanowires are a rapidly evolving scientific enterprise. Various approaches employing III-V nanowires have emerged, among which GaAs, especially, is under intense research and development. Most reported GaAs nanowire solar cells form p-n junctions in the radial direction; however, nanowires using axial junction may enable the attainment of high open circuit voltage (Voc) and integration into multijunction solar cells. Here, we report GaAs nanowire solar cells with axial p-i-n junctions that achieve 7.58% efficiency. Simulations show that axial junctions are more tolerant to doping variation than radial junctions and lead to higher Voc under certain conditions. We further study the effect of wire diameter and junction depth using electrical characterization and cathodoluminescence. The results show that large diameter and shallow junctions are essential for a high extraction efficiency. Our approach opens up great opportunity for future low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaics.

Lithography Assisted Fiber-Drawing Nanomanufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gholipour, Behrad; Bastock, Paul; Cui, Long; Craig, Christopher; Khan, Khouler; Hewak, Daniel W.; Soci, Cesare

2016-10-01

We present a high-throughput and scalable technique for the production of metal nanowires embedded in glass fibres by taking advantage of thin film properties and patterning techniques commonly used in planar microfabrication. This hybrid process enables the fabrication of single nanowires and nanowire arrays encased in a preform material within a single fibre draw, providing an alternative to costly and time-consuming iterative fibre drawing. This method allows the combination of materials with different thermal properties to create functional optoelectronic nanostructures. As a proof of principle of the potential of this technique, centimetre long gold nanowires (bulk Tm = 1064 °C) embedded in silicate glass fibres (Tg = 567 °C) were drawn in a single step with high aspect ratios (>104) such nanowires can be released from the glass matrix and show relatively high electrical conductivity. Overall, this fabrication method could enable mass manufacturing of metallic nanowires for plasmonics and nonlinear optics applications, as well as the integration of functional multimaterial structures for completely fiberised optoelectronic devices.

Twofold origin of strain-induced bending in core-shell nanowires: the GaP/InGaP case.

PubMed

Gagliano, Luca; Albani, Marco; Verheijen, Marcel A; Bakkers, Erik P A M; Miglio, Leo

2018-08-03

Nanowires have emerged as a promising platform for the development of novel and high-quality heterostructures at large lattice misfit, inaccessible in a thin film configuration. However, despite core-shell nanowires allowing a very efficient elastic release of the misfit strain, the growth of highly uniform arrays of nanowire heterostructures still represents a challenge, for example due to a strain-induced bending morphology. Here we investigate the bending of wurtzite GaP/In x Ga 1-x P core-shell nanowires using transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, both in terms of geometric and compositional asymmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis. We compare the experimental data with finite element method simulations in three dimensions, showing that both asymmetries are responsible for the actual bending. Such findings are valid for all lattice-mismatched core-shell nanowire heterostructures based on ternary alloys. Our work provides a quantitative understanding of the bending effect in general while also suggesting a strategy to minimise it.

Directed Assembly of Cells with Magnetic Nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanase, M.; Hultgren, A.; Chen, C. S.; Reich, D. H.

2003-03-01

We demonstrate the use of magnetic nanowires for assembly and manipulation of mammalian cells. Currently, superparamagnetic beads are used for manipulations of cells, but large field strengths and gradients are required for these to be effective. Unlike the beads, the large remnant magnetization of the nanowires offers the prospect of a variety of low-field manipulation techniques. Ferromagnetic nanowires suspended in fluids can be easily manipulated and assembled using small magnetic field [1]. The wires can be bound to cells, and the dipolar interaction between the nanowires can be used to create self-assembled cell chains. Microfabricated arrays of Py magnets were used to trap single cells or chains of cells bound to Ni nanowires. Possible applications of these techniques include controlled initiation of cell cultures, as well as isolation of individual cells. This work was supported by DARPA/AFOSR Grant No. F49620-02-1-0307 and by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation Grant No. 2001-17715. [1] M. Tanase et.al., Nanoletters 1, 155 (2001), J. Appl. Phys. 91, 8549 (2002).

Growth and applicability of radiation-responsive silica nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bettge, Martin

Surface energetics play an important role in processes on the nanoscale. Nanowire growth via vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism is no exception in this regard. Interfacial and line energies are found to impose some fundamental limits during three-phase nanowire growth and lead to formation of stranded nanowires with fascinating characteristics such as high responsiveness towards ion irradiation. By using two materials with a relatively low surface energy (indium and silicon oxide) this is experimentally and theoretically demonstrated in this doctoral thesis. The augmentation of VLS nanowire growth with ion bombardment enables fabrication of vertically aligned silica nanowires over large areas. Synthesis of their arrays begins with a thin indium film deposited on a Si or SiO 2 surface. At temperatures below 200ºC, the indium film becomes a self-organized seed layer of molten droplets, receiving a flux of atomic silicon by DC magnetron sputtering. Simultaneous vigorous ion bombardment through substrate biasing aligns the growing nanowires vertically and expedites mixing of oxygen and silicon into the indium. The vertical growth rate can reach up to 1000 nm-min-1 in an environment containing only argon and traces of water vapor. Silicon oxide precipitates from each indium seed in the form of multiple thin strands having diameters less than 9 nm and practically independent of droplet size. The strands form a single loose bundle, eventually consolidating to form one vertically aligned nanowire. These observations are in stark contrast to conventional VLS growth in which one liquid droplet precipitates a single solid nanowire and in which the precipitated wire diameter is directly proportional to the droplet diameter. The origin of these differences is revealed through a detailed force balance analysis, analogous to Young's relation, at the three-phase line. The liquid-solid interfacial energy of indium/silica is found to be the largest energy contribution at the three-phase line with 670-850 mJ-m-2. Our analysis further reveals the existence of an additional force at this line that behaves as a negative line tension (or line energy). Its contribution is relatively small, but important for stable and small nanowire growth. The value of the line tension lies in the range of -0.1 to -1.0 nJ-m-1. Spontaneous alignment of these stranded, free-standing wires toward a source of directional ion irradiation is proposed to be driven by local surface area minimization. An intuitive model for this is provided and experimentally verified through post-growth reorientation of nanowire patterns over a wide range of angles with standard focused ion beam instrumentation. Ion-induced orientation control and modification of nanowire arrays might prove to be a powerful method for nanoscale surface engineering, potentially leading to surfaces with well-organized anisotropic topographies. Another potential application of aligned silica nanowires as templates for highly textured electrodes in lithium-ion batteries is also discussed. As textured thin films are expected to provide better cycle life and enhanced charge transport, their electrochemical performance is compared to planar thin films of equal mass using two secondary materials (amorphous silicon and lithium manganese oxide). Both materials are applied directly onto the wire arrays by conventional deposition tools and galvanostatically cycled against metallic lithium. Textured silicon films, for use as negative materials, show improved capacity retention compared to planar thin films. Capacity fade is found to be relatively constant at about 0.8% per cycle over 30 cycles. Significant charge trapping occurred due to massive formation of a solid-electrolyteinterface. Electrochemical cycling and impedance spectroscopy further demonstrate that kinetic and electrochemical behavior of the electrode is qualitatively similar for planar and for highly textured silicon thin films. Textured films of lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4), for use as positive materials, retain their unique texture after 30 cycles, as verified by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Some accelerated capacity fade is however observed and attributed to chemical dissolution of the oxide material. Frequency-dependent impedances of textured oxide films are lower than those for planar films. These findings suggest that thin film texturing can indeed enhance some of the material's electrochemical performance characteristics and can be applied to a wide range of materials through use of appropriate nanostructured templates. In summary, this dissertation outlines physical and chemical factors leading to the formation of free-standing and uniquely stranded nanowires. It also provides an outlook on how ion-induced nanowire bending and alignment could be exploited. Key technological advantages of the developed process are refractory nanowire growth at low substrate temperatures and the ability to form radiation-responsive nanowire arrays without the use of lithography or templates.

Single conducting polymer nanowire based conductometric sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bangar, Mangesh Ashok

The detection of toxic chemicals, gases or biological agents at very low concentrations with high sensitivity and selectivity has been subject of immense interest. Sensors employing electrical signal readout as transduction mechanism offer easy, label-free detection of target analyte in real-time. Traditional thin film sensors inherently suffered through loss of sensitivity due to current shunting across the charge depleted/added region upon analyte binding to the sensor surface, due to their large cross sectional area. This limitation was overcome by use of nanostructure such as nanowire/tube as transducer where current shunting during sensing was almost eliminated. Due to their benign chemical/electrochemical fabrication route along with excellent electrical properties and biocompatibility, conducting polymers offer cost-effective alternative over other nanostructures. Biggest obstacle in using these nanostructures is lack of easy, scalable and cost-effective way of assembling these nanostructures on prefabricated micropatterns for device fabrication. In this dissertation, three different approaches have been taken to fabricate individual or array of single conducting polymer (and metal) nanowire based devices and using polymer by itself or after functionalization with appropriate recognition molecule they have been applied for gas and biochemical detection. In the first approach electrochemical fabrication of multisegmented nanowires with middle functional Ppy segment along with ferromagnetic nickel (Ni) and end gold segments for better electrical contact was studied. This multi-layered nanowires were used along with ferromagnetic contact electrode for controlled magnetic assembly of nanowires into devices and were used for ammonia gas sensing. The second approach uses conducting polymer, polypyrrole (Ppy) nanowires using simple electrophoretic alignment and maskless electrodeposition to anchor nanowire which were further functionalized with antibodies against cancer marker protein (Cancer Antigen, CA 125) using covalent immobilization for detection of CA 125 in buffer and human blood plasma. Third approach combined electrochemical deposition of conducting polymer and assembly steps into a single step fabrication & functionalization using e-beam lithographically patterned nano-channels. Using this method array of Ppy nanowires were fabricated. Further during fabrication step, by entrapping recognition molecule (avidin) biofunctionalization was achieved. Subsequently these sensors were used for detection of biotinylated single stranded DNA.

Pd@H yWO3- x Nanowires Efficiently Catalyze the CO2 Heterogeneous Reduction Reaction with a Pronounced Light Effect.

PubMed

Li, Young Feng; Soheilnia, Navid; Greiner, Mark; Ulmer, Ulrich; Wood, Thomas; Jelle, Abdinoor A; Dong, Yuchan; Yin Wong, Annabelle Po; Jia, Jia; Ozin, Geoffrey A

2018-06-01

The design of photocatalysts able to reduce CO 2 to value-added chemicals and fuels could enable a closed carbon circular economy. A common theme running through the design of photocatalysts for CO 2 reduction is the utilization of semiconductor materials with high-energy conduction bands able to generate highly reducing electrons. Far less explored in this respect are low-energy conduction band materials such as WO 3 . Specifically, we focus attention on the use of Pd nanocrystal decorated WO 3 nanowires as a heretofore-unexplored photocatalyst for the hydrogenation of CO 2 . Powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet-visible-near infrared, and in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analytical techniques elucidate the hydrogen tungsten bronze, H y WO 3- x , as the catalytically active species formed via the H 2 spillover effect by Pd. The existence in H y WO 3- x of Brønsted acid hydroxyls OH, W(V) sites, and oxygen vacancies (V O ) facilitate CO 2 capture and reduction reactions. Under solar irradiation, CO 2 reduction attains CO production rates as high as 3.0 mmol g cat -1 hr -1 with a selectivity exceeding 99%. A combination of reaction kinetic studies and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy measurements provide a valuable insight into thermochemical compared to photochemical surface reaction pathways, considered responsible for the hydrogenation of CO 2 by Pd@H y WO 3- x .

Development of a conformable electronic skin based on silver nanowires and PDMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Haopeng

2017-06-01

This paper presented the designed and tested a flexible and stretchable pressure sensor array that could be used to cover 3D surface to measure contact pressure. The sensor array is laminated into a thin film with 1 mm in thickness and can easily be stretched without losing its functionality. The fabricated sensor array contained 8×8 sensing elements, each could measure the pressure up to 180 kPa. An improved sandwich structure is used to build the sensor array. The upper and lower layers were PDMS thin films embedded with conductor strips formed by PDMS-based silver nanowires (AgNWs) networks covered with nano-scale thin metal film. The middle layer was formed a porous PDMS film inserted with circular conductive rubber. The sensor array could detect the contact pressure within 30% stretching rate. In this paper, the performance of the pressure sensor array was systematically studied. With the corresponding scanning power-supply circuit and data acquisition system, it is demonstrated that the system can successfully capture the tactile images induced by objects of different shapes. Such sensor system could be applied on complex surfaces in robots or medical devices for contact pressure detection and feedback.

Positive magnetoresistance in Fe3Se4 nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, D.; Jiang, J. J.; Liu, W.; Zhang, Z. D.

2011-04-01

We report the magnetotransport properties of Fe3Se4 nanowire arrays in anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) porous membrane. The temperature dependence of resistance of Fe3Se4 nanowires at a zero field shows thermal activated behavior below 295 K. The exponential relationship in resistance is consistent with the model of strong localization with variable-range hopping (VRH) for a finite one-dimensional wire. Resistance versus magnetic field curves below 100 K show small positive magnetoresistance (MR). The field dependencies of log[R(H)/R(0)] explain the positive MR as the effect of magnetic field on the VRH conduction.

Method for making nanomaterials

DOEpatents

Fan, Hongyou; Wu, Huimeng

2013-06-04

A method of making a nanostructure by preparing a face centered cubic-ordered metal nanoparticle film from metal nanoparticles, such as gold and silver nanoparticles, exerting a hydrostatic pressure upon the film at pressures of several gigapascals, followed by applying a non-hydrostatic stress perpendicularly at a pressure greater than approximately 10 GPA to form an array of nanowires with individual nanowires having a relatively uniform length, average diameter and density.

Solution-phase synthesis of nanomaterials at low temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yongchun; Qian, Yitai

2009-01-01

This paper reviews the solution-phase synthesis of nanoparticles via some routes at low temperatures, such as room temperature route, wave-assisted synthesis (γ-irradiation route and sonochemical route), directly heating at low temperatures, and hydrothermal/solvothermal methods. A number of strategies were developed to control the shape, the size, as well as the dispersion of nanostructures. Using diethylamine or n-butylamine as solvent, semiconductor nanorods were yielded. By the hydrothermal treatment of amorphous colloids, Bi2S3 nanorods and Se nanowires were obtained. CdS nanowires were prepared in the presence of polyacrylamide. ZnS nanowires were obtained using liquid crystal. The polymer poly (vinyl acetate) tubule acted as both nanoreactor and template for the CdSe nanowire growth. Assisted by the surfactant of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS), nickel nanobelts were synthesized. In addition, Ag nanowires, Te nanotubes and ZnO nanorod arrays could be prepared without adding any additives or templates.

InAs nanowires grown by metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) employing PS/PMMA diblock copolymer nanopatterning.

PubMed

Huang, Yinggang; Kim, Tae Wan; Xiong, Shisheng; Mawst, Luke J; Kuech, Thomas F; Nealey, Paul F; Dai, Yushuai; Wang, Zihao; Guo, Wei; Forbes, David; Hubbard, Seth M; Nesnidal, Michael

2013-01-01

Dense arrays of indium arsenide (InAs) nanowire materials have been grown by selective-area metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy (SA-MOVPE) using polystyrene-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) diblock copolymer (DBC) nanopatterning technique, which is a catalyst-free approach. Nanoscale openings were defined in a thin (~10 nm) SiNx layer deposited on a (111)B-oriented GaAs substrate using the DBC process and CF4 reactive ion etching (RIE), which served as a hard mask for the nanowire growth. InAs nanowires with diameters down to ~ 20 nm and micrometer-scale lengths were achieved with a density of ~ 5 × 10(10) cm(2). The nanowire structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, which indicate twin defects in a primary zincblende crystal structure and the absence of threading dislocation within the imaged regions.

An Enhanced UV-Vis-NIR an d Flexible Photodetector Based on Electrospun ZnO Nanowire Array/PbS Quantum Dots Film Heterostructure.

PubMed

Zheng, Zhi; Gan, Lin; Zhang, Jianbing; Zhuge, Fuwei; Zhai, Tianyou

2017-03-01

ZnO nanostructure-based photodetectors have a wide applications in many aspects, however, the response range of which are mainly restricted in the UV region dictated by its bandgap. Herein, UV-vis-NIR sensitive ZnO photodetectors consisting of ZnO nanowires (NW) array/PbS quantum dots (QDs) heterostructures are fabricated through modified electrospining method and an exchanging process. Besides wider response region compared to pure ZnO NWs based photodetectors, the heterostructures based photodetectors have faster response and recovery speed in UV range. Moreover, such photodetectors demonstrate good flexibility as well, which maintain almost constant performances under extreme (up to 180°) and repeat (up to 200 cycles) bending conditions in UV-vis-NIR range. Finally, this strategy is further verified on other kinds of 1D nanowires and 0D QDs, and similar enhancement on the performance of corresponding photodetecetors can be acquired, evidencing the universality of this strategy.

Template-based synthesis and magnetic properties of Mn-Zn ferrite nanotube and nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Limin; Wang, Xiaohui; Zhong, Caifu; Li, Longtu

2012-01-01

Template-based electrophoretic deposition of Mn-Zn ferrite nanotubes (NTs) and nanowires (NWs) were achieved using anodic alumina oxide (AAO) membranes. The effect of electrophoretic current and deposition time on the morphology of the tubes was investigated. The samples show cubic spinel structure with no preferred orientation. Room-temperature magnetic properties of the Mn-Zn ferrite NT/NW arrays were studied. The magnetic easy axis parallels the NT/NW's channel axis attributing to the large shape anisotropy in this direction, especially for the NTs with a small wall thickness. Magnetocrystalline anisotropy and magnetostatic interactions were found dominant in the samples when applied field was perpendicular to the channel axis.

Fully Printed Memristors from Cu-SiO2 Core-Shell Nanowire Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Catenacci, Matthew J.; Flowers, Patrick F.; Cao, Changyong; Andrews, Joseph B.; Franklin, Aaron D.; Wiley, Benjamin J.

2017-07-01

This article describes a fully printed memory in which a composite of Cu-SiO2 nanowires dispersed in ethylcellulose acts as a resistive switch between printed Cu and Au electrodes. A 16-cell crossbar array of these memristors was printed with an aerosol jet. The memristors exhibited moderate operating voltages (˜3 V), no degradation over 104 switching cycles, write speeds of 3 μs, and extrapolated retention times of 10 years. The low operating voltage enabled the programming of a fully printed 4-bit memristor array with an Arduino. The excellent performance of these fully printed memristors could help enable the creation of fully printed RFID tags and sensors with integrated data storage.

Self-enhanced electrochemiluminescence immunosensor based on nanowires obtained by a green approach.

PubMed

Wang, Haijun; Yuan, Yali; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Ruo

2015-06-15

Co-reactant electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a simple and effective method for sensitive detection with amplified ECL signals. However, the intermolecular interaction between the luminescent reagents and their corresponding co-reactants, which is widely applied, has disadvantages in poor stability, low efficiency of electron transfer and relatively high loss of energy. In this work, an intramolecular self-enhanced ECL is proposed to settle this problem. Firstly, palladium nanowires (PdNWs) are synthesized with a green procedure in which Lentinan (LNT), one of β-glucans with a triple helical conformation (t-LNT) in aqueous solution and single chains (s-LNT) at a temperature higher than 130°C, is used as stabilizer and reducing agent. The abtined PdNWs are applied to immobilize polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer which further reacts with tris (4, 4'-dicarboxylicacid-2, 2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II) dichloride to form a new electrochemiluminescent derivative (PdNWs-PAMAM-Ru). In this way, the Ru (II) luminophore and its co-reactive groups (amine groups in PAMAM) exist in the same complex, by which the electronic transmission distance is shortened and the luminous properties including stability and efficiency are enhanced. Moreover, due to the high specific surface areas and good electro-catalytic ability of PdNWs, the obtained PdNWs-PAMAM-Ru can be also applied to immobilize detection antibody (Ab2). Then, a sandwiched and sensitive ECL immunosensor is fabricated for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with a wide linear ranged from 0.001 ng mL(-1) to 80 ng mL(-1) and a low detection limit of 0.3 pg mL(-1). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hierarchical Nanocomposites of Polyaniline Nanowire Arrays on Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets for Supercapacitors

PubMed Central

Wang, Li; Ye, Yinjian; Lu, Xingping; Wen, Zhubiao; Li, Zhuang; Hou, Haoqing; Song, Yonghai

2013-01-01

Here we reported a novel route to synthesize a hierarchical nanocomposite (PANI-frGO) of polyaniline (PANI) nanowire arrays covalently bonded on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In this strategy, nitrophenyl groups were initially grafted on rGO via C-C bond, and then reduced to aminophenyl to act as anchor sites for the growth of PANI arrays on rGO. The functionalized process was confirmed by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical properties of the PANI-frGO as supercapacitor materials were investigated. The PANI-frGO nanocomposites showed high capacitance of 590 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and had no loss of capacitance after 200 cycles at 2 A g−1. The improved electrochemical performance suggests promising application of the PANI-frGO nanocomposites in high-performance supercapacitors. PMID:24356535

Hierarchical Nanocomposites of Polyaniline Nanowire Arrays on Reduced Graphene Oxide Sheets for Supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Li; Ye, Yinjian; Lu, Xingping; Wen, Zhubiao; Li, Zhuang; Hou, Haoqing; Song, Yonghai

2013-12-01

Here we reported a novel route to synthesize a hierarchical nanocomposite (PANI-frGO) of polyaniline (PANI) nanowire arrays covalently bonded on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In this strategy, nitrophenyl groups were initially grafted on rGO via C-C bond, and then reduced to aminophenyl to act as anchor sites for the growth of PANI arrays on rGO. The functionalized process was confirmed by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical properties of the PANI-frGO as supercapacitor materials were investigated. The PANI-frGO nanocomposites showed high capacitance of 590 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1, and had no loss of capacitance after 200 cycles at 2 A g-1. The improved electrochemical performance suggests promising application of the PANI-frGO nanocomposites in high-performance supercapacitors.

Hierarchical nanocomposites of polyaniline nanowire arrays on reduced graphene oxide sheets for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Ye, Yinjian; Lu, Xingping; Wen, Zhubiao; Li, Zhuang; Hou, Haoqing; Song, Yonghai

2013-12-20

Here we reported a novel route to synthesize a hierarchical nanocomposite (PANI-frGO) of polyaniline (PANI) nanowire arrays covalently bonded on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In this strategy, nitrophenyl groups were initially grafted on rGO via C-C bond, and then reduced to aminophenyl to act as anchor sites for the growth of PANI arrays on rGO. The functionalized process was confirmed by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical properties of the PANI-frGO as supercapacitor materials were investigated. The PANI-frGO nanocomposites showed high capacitance of 590 F g(-1) at 0.1 A g(-1), and had no loss of capacitance after 200 cycles at 2 A g(-1). The improved electrochemical performance suggests promising application of the PANI-frGO nanocomposites in high-performance supercapacitors.

Nanowire nanocomputer as a finite-state machine.

PubMed

Yao, Jun; Yan, Hao; Das, Shamik; Klemic, James F; Ellenbogen, James C; Lieber, Charles M

2014-02-18

Implementation of complex computer circuits assembled from the bottom up and integrated on the nanometer scale has long been a goal of electronics research. It requires a design and fabrication strategy that can address individual nanometer-scale electronic devices, while enabling large-scale assembly of those devices into highly organized, integrated computational circuits. We describe how such a strategy has led to the design, construction, and demonstration of a nanoelectronic finite-state machine. The system was fabricated using a design-oriented approach enabled by a deterministic, bottom-up assembly process that does not require individual nanowire registration. This methodology allowed construction of the nanoelectronic finite-state machine through modular design using a multitile architecture. Each tile/module consists of two interconnected crossbar nanowire arrays, with each cross-point consisting of a programmable nanowire transistor node. The nanoelectronic finite-state machine integrates 180 programmable nanowire transistor nodes in three tiles or six total crossbar arrays, and incorporates both sequential and arithmetic logic, with extensive intertile and intratile communication that exhibits rigorous input/output matching. Our system realizes the complete 2-bit logic flow and clocked control over state registration that are required for a finite-state machine or computer. The programmable multitile circuit was also reprogrammed to a functionally distinct 2-bit full adder with 32-set matched and complete logic output. These steps forward and the ability of our unique design-oriented deterministic methodology to yield more extensive multitile systems suggest that proposed general-purpose nanocomputers can be realized in the near future.

Nanowire nanocomputer as a finite-state machine

PubMed Central

Yao, Jun; Yan, Hao; Das, Shamik; Klemic, James F.; Ellenbogen, James C.; Lieber, Charles M.

2014-01-01

Implementation of complex computer circuits assembled from the bottom up and integrated on the nanometer scale has long been a goal of electronics research. It requires a design and fabrication strategy that can address individual nanometer-scale electronic devices, while enabling large-scale assembly of those devices into highly organized, integrated computational circuits. We describe how such a strategy has led to the design, construction, and demonstration of a nanoelectronic finite-state machine. The system was fabricated using a design-oriented approach enabled by a deterministic, bottom–up assembly process that does not require individual nanowire registration. This methodology allowed construction of the nanoelectronic finite-state machine through modular design using a multitile architecture. Each tile/module consists of two interconnected crossbar nanowire arrays, with each cross-point consisting of a programmable nanowire transistor node. The nanoelectronic finite-state machine integrates 180 programmable nanowire transistor nodes in three tiles or six total crossbar arrays, and incorporates both sequential and arithmetic logic, with extensive intertile and intratile communication that exhibits rigorous input/output matching. Our system realizes the complete 2-bit logic flow and clocked control over state registration that are required for a finite-state machine or computer. The programmable multitile circuit was also reprogrammed to a functionally distinct 2-bit full adder with 32-set matched and complete logic output. These steps forward and the ability of our unique design-oriented deterministic methodology to yield more extensive multitile systems suggest that proposed general-purpose nanocomputers can be realized in the near future. PMID:24469812

Reversal modes in FeCoNi nanowire arrays: Correlation between magnetostatic interactions and nanowires length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samanifar, S.; Almasi Kashi, M.; Ramazani, A.; Alikhani, M.

2015-03-01

FeCoNi nanowire arrays (175 nm in diameter and lengths ranging from 5 to 40 μm) were fabricated into nanopores of hard-anodized aluminum oxide templates using pulsed ac electrodeposition technique. Increasing the length had no considerable effect on the composition and crystalline characteristics of Fe47Co38Ni15 nanowires (NWs). By eliminating the dendrites formed at the bottom of the pores, we report a careful investigation on the effect of magnetostatic interactions on magnetic properties and the effect of nanowire length on reversal modes. Hysteresis loop measurements indicated that increasing the length decreases coercivity and squareness values. On the other hand, first-order reversal curve measurements show a linear correlation between the magnetostatic interactions and length of NWs. Comparing reversal modes of the NWs both experimentally and theoretically using angular dependence of coercivity, we find that when L≤22 μm, a vortex domain wall mode is only occurred. When L>22 μm, a non-monotonic behavior indicates a transition from the vortex to transverse domain wall propagation. As a result, a critical length was found above which the transition between the reversal modes is occurred due the enhanced interactions. The transition angle also shifts toward a lower angle as the length increases. Moreover, with increasing length from 22 to 31 μm, the single domain structure of NWs changes to a pseudo single domain state. A multidomain-like behavior is also found for the longest NWs length.

Creation of ultra-high energy density matter using nanostructured targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tommasini, Riccardo; Park, J.; London, R.; Chen, H.; Hollinger, R. C.; Bargsten, C.; Shlyaptsev, V.; Capeluto, M.; Keiss, D.; Townsend, A.; Rocca, J. J.; Kaymak, V.; Pukhov, A.; Hill, M.

2015-11-01

Recent experiments have demonstrated that trapping of 60 femtosecond laser pulses of relativistic intensity deep within ordered nanowire arrays can create a new ultra-hot plasma regime. Here we report on the experiments at the Titan laser at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory that aim to scale these results by two orders of magnitude in laser energy. Preliminary analysis of the Titan results show that sub-picosecond laser irradiation of vertically aligned nanostructures of Au, Ag and Ni produces an increase of a factor greater than 1.6 in the suprathermal electron temperatures and an increase by a factor of 3 in the conversion efficiency into continuum x-rays, both with respect to flat targets of the same composition. Kα radiation from nanowire array targets also shows an increase between 3x and 5x over flat targets. The nanowire array targets reflected a 5x smaller fraction of the laser energy, indicating significantly larger absorption of the laser pulse. This work performed under the auspices of the U. S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344, by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, U.S Department of Energy, and by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency grant HDTRA-1-10-1-0079.

High Discharge Energy Density at Low Electric Field Using an Aligned Titanium Dioxide/Lead Zirconate Titanate Nanowire Array

PubMed Central

Zhang, Dou; Liu, Weiwei; Guo, Ru; Zhou, Kechao

2017-01-01

Abstract Polymer‐based capacitors with high energy density have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their wide range of potential applications in electronic devices. However, the obtained high energy density is predominantly dependent on high applied electric field, e.g., 400–600 kV mm−1, which may bring more challenges relating to the failure probability. Here, a simple two‐step method for synthesizing titanium dioxide/lead zirconate titanate nanowire arrays is exploited and a demonstration of their ability to achieve high discharge energy density capacitors for low operating voltage applications is provided. A high discharge energy density of 6.9 J cm−3 is achieved at low electric fields, i.e., 143 kV mm−1, which is attributed to the high relative permittivity of 218.9 at 1 kHz and high polarization of 23.35 µC cm−2 at this electric field. The discharge energy density obtained in this work is the highest known for a ceramic/polymer nanocomposite at such a low electric field. The novel nanowire arrays used in this work are applicable to a wide range of fields, such as energy harvesting, energy storage, and photocatalysis. PMID:29610724

Palladium-cobalt nanotube arrays supported on carbon fiber cloth as high-performance flexible electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation.

PubMed

Wang, An-Liang; He, Xu-Jun; Lu, Xue-Feng; Xu, Han; Tong, Ye-Xiang; Li, Gao-Ren

2015-03-16

PdCo nanotube arrays (NTAs) supported on carbon fiber cloth (CFC) (PdCo NTAs/CFC) are presented as high-performance flexible electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation. The fabricated flexible PdCo NTAs/CFC exhibits significantly improved electrocatalytic activity and durability compared with Pd NTAs/CFC and commercial Pd/C catalysts. Most importantly, the PdCo NTAs/CFC shows excellent flexibility and the high electrocatalytic performance remains almost constant under the different distorted states, such as normal, bending, and twisting states. This work shows the first example of Pd-based alloy NTAs supported on CFC as high-performance flexible electrocatalysts for ethanol oxidation. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Scalable alignment and transfer of nanowires in a Spinning Langmuir Film.

PubMed

Zhu, Ren; Lai, Yicong; Nguyen, Vu; Yang, Rusen

2014-10-21

Many nanomaterial-based integrated nanosystems require the assembly of nanowires and nanotubes into ordered arrays. A generic alignment method should be simple and fast for the proof-of-concept study by a researcher, and low-cost and scalable for mass production in industries. Here we have developed a novel Spinning-Langmuir-Film technique to fulfill both requirements. We used surfactant-enhanced shear flow to align inorganic and organic nanowires, which could be easily transferred to other substrates and ready for device fabrication in less than 20 minutes. The aligned nanowire areal density can be controlled in a wide range from 16/mm(-2) to 258/mm(-2), through the compression of the film. The surface surfactant layer significantly influences the quality of alignment and has been investigated in detail.

Template-grown NiFe/Cu/NiFe nanowires for spin transfer devices.

PubMed

Piraux, Luc; Renard, Krystel; Guillemet, Raphael; Matéfi-Tempfli, Stefan; Matéfi-Tempfli, Maria; Antohe, Vlad Andrei; Fusil, Stéphane; Bouzehouane, Karim; Cros, Vincent

2007-09-01

We have developed a new reliable method combining template synthesis and nanolithography-based contacting technique to elaborate current perpendicular-to-plane giant magnetoresistance spin valve nanowires, which are very promising for the exploration of electrical spin transfer phenomena. The method allows the electrical connection of one single nanowire in a large assembly of wires embedded in anodic porous alumina supported on Si substrate with diameters and periodicities to be controllable to a large extent. Both magnetic excitations and switching phenomena driven by a spin-polarized current were clearly demonstrated in our electrodeposited NiFe/Cu/ NiFe trilayer nanowires. This novel approach promises to be of strong interest for subsequent fabrication of phase-locked arrays of spin transfer nano-oscillators with increased output power for microwave applications.

Superconducting nanowire networks formed on nanoporous membrane substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Qiong

Introducing a regular array of holes into superconducting thin films has been actively pursued to stabilize and pin the vortex lattice against external driving forces, enabling higher current capabilities. If the width of the sections between neighboring holes is comparable to the superconducting coherence length, the circulation of the Cooper pairs in around the holes in the presence of a magnetic field can also produce the Little-Parks effect, i.e. periodic oscillation of the critical temperature. These two mechanisms, commensurate vortex pinning enhancement by the hole-array and the critical temperature oscillations of a wire network due to Little-Parks effect can induce similar experimental observations such as magnetoresistance oscillation and enhancement of the critical current at specific magnetic fields. This dissertation work investigates the effect of a hole-array on the properties of superconducting films deposited onto nanoporous substrates. Experiments on anisotropies of the critical temperature for niobium films on anodic aluminum oxide membrane substrates containing a regular hole-array reveal that the critical temperature exhibits two strong anisotropic effects: Little-Parks oscillations whose period varies with field direction superimposed on a smooth background arising from one dimensional confinement by the finite lateral space between neighboring holes. The two components of the anisotropy are intrinsically linked and appear in concert. That is, the hole-array changes the dimensionality of a two-dimensional (2D) film to a network of 1D nanowire network. Network of superconducting nanowires with transverse dimensions as small as few nanometers were achieved by coating molybdenum germanium (MoGe) layer onto commercially available filtration membranes which have extremely dense nanopores. The magnetoresistance, magnetic field dependence of the critical temperature and the anisotropies of the synthesized MoGe nanowire networks can be consistently attributed to thermal phase slips and Little-Parks effect, revealing new phenomena at extreme conditions. This research significantly advanced our understanding on confinement effects in superconductors. Since AAO membranes of large area can be fabricated easily and filtration membranes are commercially available, the developed fabrication approach provides an alternative but more accessible templating method to achieve samples for exploring phenomena in superconductors with transverse dimensions down to few nanometers. This research also sets limitations on efforts to pursue high commensurate vortex pinning fields by increasing the density of holes in a perforated film: a reduction in the width of superconducting section between neighboring holes can turn a 2D film into a network of 1D nanowires which dissipate energy when conducting electricity due to thermal and possibly also quantum phase slippages, eliminating the desired pinning effect of the introduced hole.

Use of ultrasonic array method for positioning multiple partial discharge sources in transformer oil.

PubMed

Xie, Qing; Tao, Junhan; Wang, Yongqiang; Geng, Jianghai; Cheng, Shuyi; Lü, Fangcheng

2014-08-01

Fast and accurate positioning of partial discharge (PD) sources in transformer oil is very important for the safe, stable operation of power systems because it allows timely elimination of insulation faults. There is usually more than one PD source once an insulation fault occurs in the transformer oil. This study, which has both theoretical and practical significance, proposes a method of identifying multiple PD sources in the transformer oil. The method combines the two-sided correlation transformation algorithm in the broadband signal focusing and the modified Gerschgorin disk estimator. The method of classification of multiple signals is used to determine the directions of arrival of signals from multiple PD sources. The ultrasonic array positioning method is based on the multi-platform direction finding and the global optimization searching. Both the 4 × 4 square planar ultrasonic sensor array and the ultrasonic array detection platform are built to test the method of identifying and positioning multiple PD sources. The obtained results verify the validity and the engineering practicability of this method.

Understanding the Vapor-Liquid-Solid and Vapor-Solid-Solid Mechanisms of Si Nanowire Growth to Synthetically Encode Precise Nanoscale Morphology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinion, Christopher William

Precise patterning of semiconductor materials utilizing top-down lithographic techniques is integral to the advanced electronics we use on a daily basis. However, continuing development of these lithographic technologies often results in the trade-off of either high cost or low throughput, and three-dimensional (3D) patterning can be difficult to achieve. Bottom-up, chemical methods to control the 3D nanoscale morphology of semiconductor nanostructures have received significant attention as a complementary technique. Semiconductor nanowires, nanoscale filaments of semiconductor material 10-500 nm in diameter and 1-50 microns in length, are an especially promising platform because the wire composition can be modulated during growth and the high aspect ratio, one-dimensional structure enables integration in a range of devices. In this thesis, we first report a bottom-up method to break the conventional "wire" symmetry and synthetically encode a high-resolution array of arbitrary shapes along the nanowire growth axis. Rapid modulation of phosphorus doping combined with selective wet-chemical etching enables morphological features as small as 10 nm to be patterned over wires more than 50 ?m in length. Next, our focus shifts to more fundamental studies of the nanowire synthetic mechanisms. We presented comprehensive experimental measurements on the growth rate of Au catalyzed Si nanowires and developed a kinetic model of vapor-liquid-solid growth. Our analysis revealed an abrupt transition from a diameter-independent growth rate that is limited by incorporation to a diameter-dependent growth rate that is limited by crystallization. While investigating the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, we noticed instances of unique catalyst behavior. Upon further study, we showed that it is possible to instantaneously and reversibly switch the phase of the catalyst between a liquid and superheated solid state under isothermal conditions above the eutectic temperature. The solid catalyst induces a vapor-solid-solid growth mechanism, which provides atomic-level control of dopant atoms in the nanowire. Finally, we explored a promising application of nanowires by investigating the potential for complex silicon nanowires to serve as a platform for next-generation photovoltaic devices. We reviewed the synthesis, electrical, and optical characteristics of core/shell Si nanowires that are sub-wavelength in diameter and contain radial p-n junctions. We highlighted the unique features of these nanowires, such as optical antenna effects that concentrate light and intense built-in electric fields that enable ultrafast charge-carrier separation. Based on these observations we advocate for a paradigm in which nanowires are arranged in periodic horizontal arrays to form ultrathin devices.

Artificially modified magnetic anisotropy in interconnected nanowire networks.

PubMed

Araujo, Elsie; Encinas, Armando; Velázquez-Galván, Yenni; Martínez-Huerta, Juan Manuel; Hamoir, Gaël; Ferain, Etienne; Piraux, Luc

2015-01-28

Interconnected or crossed magnetic nanowire networks have been fabricated by electrodeposition into a polycarbonate template with crossed cylindrical nanopores oriented ±30° with respect to the surface normal. Tailor-made nanoporous polymer membranes have been designed by performing a double energetic heavy ion irradiation with fixed incidence angles. The Ni and Ni/NiFe nanowire networks have been characterized by magnetometry as well as ferromagnetic resonance and compared with parallel nanowire arrays of the same diameter and density. The most interesting feature of these nanostructured materials is a significant reduction of the magnetic anisotropy when the external field is applied perpendicular and parallel to the plane of the sample. This effect is attributed to the relative orientation of the nanowire axes with the applied field. Moreover, the microwave transmission spectra of these nanowire networks display an asymmetric linewidth broadening, which may be interesting for the development of low-pass filters. Nanoporous templates made of well-defined nanochannel network constitute an interesting approach to fabricate materials with controlled anisotropy and microwave absorption properties that can be easily modified by adjusting the relative orientation of the nanochannels, pore sizes and material composition along the length of the nanowire.

Heterojunction metal-oxide-metal Au-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-Au single nanowire device for spintronics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reddy, K. M., E-mail: mrkongara@boisestate.edu; Punnoose, Alex; Hanna, Charles

2015-05-07

In this report, we present the synthesis of heterojunction magnetite nanowires in alumina template and describe magnetic and electrical properties from a single nanowire device for spintronics applications. Heterojunction Au-Fe-Au nanowire arrays were electrodeposited in porous aluminum oxide templates, and an extensive and controlled heat treatment process converted Fe segment to nanocrystalline cubic magnetite phase with well-defined Au-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} interfaces as confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy. Magnetic measurements revealed Verwey transition shoulder around 120 K and a room temperature coercive field of 90 Oe. Current–voltage (I-V) characteristics of a single Au-Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-Au nanowire have exhibited Ohmic behavior. Anomalous positivemore » magnetoresistance of about 0.5% is observed on a single nanowire, which is attributed to the high spin polarization in nanowire device with pure Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} phase and nanocontact barrier. This work demonstrates the ability to preserve the pristine Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and well defined electrode contact metal (Au)–magnetite interface, which helps in attaining high spin polarized current.« less

GaAs/AlGaAs core multishell nanowire-based light-emitting diodes on Si.

PubMed

Tomioka, Katsuhiro; Motohisa, Junichi; Hara, Shinjiroh; Hiruma, Kenji; Fukui, Takashi

2010-05-12

We report on integration of GaAs nanowire-based light-emitting-diodes (NW-LEDs) on Si substrate by selective-area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The vertically aligned GaAs/AlGaAs core-multishell nanowires with radial p-n junction and NW-LED array were directly fabricated on Si. The threshold current for electroluminescence (EL) was 0.5 mA (current density was approximately 0.4 A/cm(2)), and the EL intensity superlinearly increased with increasing current injections indicating superluminescence behavior. The technology described in this letter could help open new possibilities for monolithic- and on-chip integration of III-V NWs on Si.

Light-Emitting GaAs Nanowires on a Flexible Substrate.

PubMed

Valente, João; Godde, Tillmann; Zhang, Yunyan; Mowbray, David J; Liu, Huiyun

2018-06-18

Semiconductor nanowire-based devices are among the most promising structures used to meet the current challenges of electronics, optics and photonics. Due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and excellent optical and electrical properties, devices with low power, high efficiency and high density can be created. This is of major importance for environmental issues and economic impact. Semiconductor nanowires have been used to fabricate high performance devices, including detectors, solar cells and transistors. Here, we demonstrate a technique for transferring large-area nanowire arrays to flexible substrates while retaining their excellent quantum efficiency in emission. Starting with a defect-free self-catalyzed molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) sample grown on a Si substrate, GaAs core-shell nanowires are embedded in a dielectric, removed by reactive ion etching and transferred to a plastic substrate. The original structural and optical properties, including the vertical orientation, of the nanowires are retained in the final plastic substrate structure. Nanowire emission is observed for all stages of the fabrication process, with a higher emission intensity observed for the final transferred structure, consistent with a reduction in nonradiative recombination via the modification of surface states. This transfer process could form the first critical step in the development of flexible nanowire-based light-emitting devices.

Interference lithographically defined and catalytically etched, large-area silicon nanocones from nanowires.

PubMed

Dawood, M K; Liew, T H; Lianto, P; Hong, M H; Tripathy, S; Thong, J T L; Choi, W K

2010-05-21

We report a simple and cost effective method for the synthesis of large-area, precisely located silicon nanocones from nanowires. The nanowires were obtained from our interference lithography and catalytic etching (IL-CE) method. We found that porous silicon was formed near the Au catalyst during the fabrication of the nanowires. The porous silicon exhibited enhanced oxidation ability when exposed to atmospheric conditions or in wet oxidation ambient. Very well located nanocones with uniform sharpness resulted when these oxidized nanowires were etched in 10% HF. Nanocones of different heights were obtained by varying the doping concentration of the silicon wafers. We believe this is a novel method of producing large-area, low cost, well defined nanocones from nanowires both in terms of the control of location and shape of the nanocones. A wide range of potential applications of the nanocone array can be found as a master copy for nanoimprinted polymer substrates for possible biomedical research; as a candidate for making sharp probes for scanning probe nanolithography; or as a building block for field emitting tips or photodetectors in electronic/optoelectronic applications.

High optical and switching performance electrochromic devices based on a zinc oxide nanowire with poly(methyl methacrylate) gel electrolytes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chun, Young Tea; Chu, Daping, E-mail: dpc31@cam.ac.uk; Neeves, Matthew

2014-11-10

High performance electrochromic devices have been fabricated and demonstrated utilizing a solid polymer electrolyte and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire (NW) array counter electrode. The poly(methyl methacrylate) based polymer electrolyte was spin coated upon hydrothermally grown ZnO NW array counter electrodes, while electron beam evaporated NiO{sub x} thin films formed the working electrodes. Excellent optical contrast and switching speeds were observed in the fabricated devices with active areas of 2 cm{sup 2}, exhibiting an optical contrast of 73.11% at the wavelength of 470 nm, combined with a fast switching time of 0.2 s and 0.4 s for bleaching and coloration, respectively.

Current Approach in Surface Plasmons for Thin Film and Wire Array Solar Cell Applications

PubMed Central

Zhou, Keya; Guo, Zhongyi; Liu, Shutian; Lee, Jung-Ho

2015-01-01

Surface plasmons, which exist along the interface of a metal and a dielectric, have been proposed as an efficient alternative method for light trapping in solar cells during the past ten years. With unique properties such as superior light scattering, optical trapping, guide mode coupling, near field concentration, and hot-electron generation, metallic nanoparticles or nanostructures can be tailored to a certain geometric design to enhance solar cell conversion efficiency and to reduce the material costs. In this article, we review current approaches on different kinds of solar cells, such as crystalline silicon (c-Si) and amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film solar cells, organic solar cells, nanowire array solar cells, and single nanowire solar cells. PMID:28793457

Structural and optical properties of glancing angle deposited TiO2 nanowires array.

PubMed

Chinnamuthu, P; Mondal, A; Singh, N K; Dhar, J C; Das, S K; Chattopadhyay, K K

2012-08-01

TiO2 nanowires (NWs) have been synthesized by glancing angle deposition technique using e-beam evaporator. The average length 490 nm and diameter 80 nm of NWs were examined by field emission-scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy emphasized that the NWs were widely dispersed at the top. X-ray diffraction has been carried out on the TiO2 thin film (TF) and NW array. A small blue shift of 0.03 eV was observed in Photoluminescence (PL) main band emission for TiO2 NW as compared to TiO2 TF. The high temperature annealing at 980 degrees C partially removed the oxygen vacancy from the sample, which was investigated by PL and optical absorption measurements.

Fabrication of a Miniaturized ZnO Nanowire Accelerometer and Its Performance Tests

PubMed Central

Kim, Hyun Chan; Song, Sangho; Kim, Jaehwan

2016-01-01

This paper reports a miniaturized piezoelectric accelerometer suitable for a small haptic actuator array. The accelerometer is made with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire (NW) grown on a copper wafer by a hydrothermal process. The size of the accelerometer is 1.5 × 1.5 mm2, thus fitting the 1.8 × 1.8 mm2 haptic actuator array cell. The detailed fabrication process of the miniaturized accelerometer is illustrated. Performance evaluation of the fabricated accelerometer is conducted by comparing it with a commercial piezoelectric accelerometer. The output current of the fabricated accelerometer increases linearly with the acceleration. The miniaturized ZnO NW accelerometer is feasible for acceleration measurement of small and lightweight devices. PMID:27649184

High-Quality In-Plane Aligned CsPbX3 Perovskite Nanowire Lasers with Composition-Dependent Strong Exciton-Photon Coupling.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaoxia; Shoaib, Muhammad; Wang, Xiao; Zhang, Xuehong; He, Mai; Luo, Ziyu; Zheng, Weihao; Li, Honglai; Yang, Tiefeng; Zhu, Xiaoli; Ma, Libo; Pan, Anlian

2018-06-14

Cesium lead halide perovskite nanowires have emerged as promising low-dimensional semiconductor structures for integrated photonic applications. Understanding light-matter interactions in a nanowire cavity is of both fundamental and practical interest in designing low-power-consumption nanoscale light sources. In this work, high-quality in-plane aligned halide perovskite CsPbX 3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanowires are synthesized by a vapor growth method on an annealed M-plane sapphire substrate. Large-area nanowire laser arrays have been achieved based on the as-grown aligned CsPbX 3 nanowires at room temperature with quite low pumping thresholds, very high quality factors, and a high degree of linear polarization. More importantly, it is found that exciton-polaritons are formed in the nanowires under the excitation of a pulsed laser, indicating a strong exciton-photon coupling in the optical microcavities made of cesium lead halide perovskites. The coupling strength in these CsPbX 3 nanowires is dependent on the atomic composition, where the obtained room-temperature Rabi splitting energy is ∼210 ± 13, 146 ± 9, and 103 ± 5 meV for the CsPbCl 3 , CsPbBr 3 , and CsPbI 3 nanowires, respectively. This work provides fundamental insights for the practical applications of all-inorganic perovskite CsPbX 3 nanowires in designing light-emitting devices and integrated nanophotonic systems.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Allman, M. S., E-mail: shane.allman@boulder.nist.gov; Verma, V. B.; Stevens, M.

We demonstrate a 64-pixel free-space-coupled array of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors optimized for high detection efficiency in the near-infrared range. An integrated, readily scalable, multiplexed readout scheme is employed to reduce the number of readout lines to 16. The cryogenic, optical, and electronic packaging to read out the array as well as characterization measurements are discussed.