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Synthesis and characterization of metal chalcogenide and metal oxide nanostructures

Abstract

Metal chalcogenide and metal oxide materials are of interest for sensing and energy conversion applications due to their semiconducting properties. Nanostructures made from such materials, therefore, have potential to work as building blocks for nanoelectronics. Various synthetic methods have been developed for the preparation of different nanostructures. In this dissertation, three different synthetic methods are presented in the preparation of different metal chalcogenide and metal oxide nanostructures. The as-produced nanostructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution (HR-) TEM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX), and x-ray diffraction (XRD).
Tantalum disulfide (TaS2) nanoplatelets were prepared from laser ablation of a TaS2 target under an argon atmosphere using a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm). The dimensions and morphology of the nanoplatelets were characterized by TEM and XRD. The effect of the ablation laser power density on the size distribution of the nanoplatelets was studied.
TaS2 closed-cage nanospheres were prepared from laser irradiation of the dispersion of TaS2 in tert-butyl disulfide (TBS) using a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser in large quantity. And finally for the laser ablation project, MoS2 nano-octahedra were prepared by using a femtosecond pulsed laser. The dimensions and morphology of these nanostructures were characterized by TEM and HR-TEM.
One dimensional (1-D) tin sulfide (SnS) nanostructures were prepared using a direct one-pot solution phase synthesis technique. A single source precursor, tetrakis-(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato)tin(IV), was heated in a mixture of long-chain alcohol (tergitol and diethylene glycol) to produce the nanostructures. Reaction parameters, such as temperature and the duration of the reaction, have been investigated for the effect on yield and nanostructure morphology. The 1-D nanostructures were characterized with SEM/EDX, TEM and XRD.
One dimensional tin oxide (SnO2) nanostructures were prepared by pyrolysis on a Sn-containing precursor in the presence of trace amount of O2 with Au-coated silicon substrate. The effect of the reaction parameters (reaction durations, heating temperature, substrate identity, and the precursor source) on the nanostructure morphology has been investigated. The nanostructures were characterized with SEM/EDX, TEM and XRD.

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Subject

chalcogenide
metal oxides
nanomaterials
nanoplatelets
nanowires
analytical chemistry
inorganic chemistry

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