Research Projects
SOLGEL DERIVED METALLIC AND OXIDE NANOMATERIALS FOR THERMAL, OPTICAL AND SENOR APPLICATIONS
Faculty Mentors: Profs. S. Seal, K. Richardson, D. Hagen, R. Vanfleet and K. Sundaram
Research Description
Metallic,
oxide particles, if produced in nanoscale (<50 nm), can be potential materials
for high efficiency thermal, optical and sensor applications. For example,
silver
sulfide nanoparticles, when used asion selective electrodes and can show
20% improved performance in its ion selectivity. Similar use of solgel derived
nanosized copper sulfide, gold (Figure A), silver doped silica films (Figure
B) are used for high efficiency solar cells, catalytic and optical applications.
Similar examples include the potential use of nanophaseziroconia and yttria
stabilized zirconia for improved gas sensors and thermal barrier coatings.
However, producing agglomerate free nanoparticles is always a challenge and
producing in bulk quantity or in thin films needs a lot of understanding
in the nanomaterial formation and hence needs to investigated in detail.
The undergraduates will be involved in:
- Hands on experience with solgel process to produce metallic, oxide and sulfide nanoparticles.
- Understanding the use of polymer surfactants to avoid agglomeration in nanoparticles.
- Practical training on dip, spin coating and sputtering technology to make thin films of these nanomaterials.
- Learning various optical techniques (UV-VIS, IR) for evaluation of these materials in optics and sensors.