Laser Fabrication of Functional Micro/Nanomaterials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanofabrication and Nanomanufacturing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2022) | Viewed by 10158

Special Issue Editor

College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130015, China
Interests: laser spectroscopy; femtosecond Laser fabrication; sensors; microlasers; laser-matter interaction; combustion diagnotics; laser sensing; atomic and molecular spectroscopy; laser filamentation; molecular dynamics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the increasing demand on functional nanomaterials, for a variety of applications in microelectronic and optoelectronics, has prompted the exploitation of numerous novel fabrication techniques, among which laser-based approaches provide an exceptional choice not only for their versatile capability of fabricating a broad spectrum of materials through both top-down and bottom-up manners, but also for their powerful flexibility in tailoring the micro/nanomaterial functions. Therefore, the development of laser fabrication technologies of functional nanomaterials and their related applications are of great interest to the research community. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest advances in laser fabrication of functional nanomaterials concerning experimental, theoretical, and technological aspects and applications.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  1. Laser fabrication of organic, inorganic, and hybrid (organic-inorganic) functional nanomaterials in gases or liquids;
  2. Laser fabrication of functional nanoparticles from bulk solid targets;
  3. Laser fabrication of novel micro/nanostructured surfaces;
  4. Fundamental theoretical and technical aspects of the laser fabrication of micro/nanomaterials;
  5. Laser fabrication of micro/nano-materials and -structures for various applications;
  6. Industrial-scale laser fabrication of micro/nanostructured surfaces.

We invite authors to contribute original research and communication articles or comprehensive review articles through the webpage of the Nanomaterials entitled “laser fabrication of functional micro/nanomaterials”.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Huailiang Xu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • Laser
  • Fabrication
  • Nanomaterials
  • Functional materials
  • Structured surfaces
  • Microelectronics
  • Micro-optoelectronics
  • Micro-sensors

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 6822 KiB  
Article
Black TiO2-Based Dual Photoanodes Boost the Efficiency of Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells to 11.7%
by Danwen Yao, Zhenyu Hu, Ruifeng Zheng, Jialun Li, Liying Wang, Xijia Yang, Wei Lü and Huailiang Xu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4294; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12234294 - 02 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1119
Abstract
Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSC) have been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for effective utilization of solar energy, but its power conversion efficiency (PCE) is still far from meeting expectations. One of the most important bottlenecks is the limited collection [...] Read more.
Quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSC) have been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for effective utilization of solar energy, but its power conversion efficiency (PCE) is still far from meeting expectations. One of the most important bottlenecks is the limited collection efficiency of photogenerated electrons in the photoanodes. Herein, we design QDSSCs with a dual-photoanode architecture, and assemble the dual photoanodes with black TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), which were processed by a femtosecond laser in the filamentation regime, and common CdS/CdSe QD sensitizers. A maximum PCE of 11.7% with a short circuit current density of 50.3 mA/cm2 is unambiguously achieved. We reveal both experimentally and theoretically that the enhanced PCE is mainly attributed to the improved light harvesting of black TiO2 due to the black TiO2 shells formed on white TiO2 NPs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Fabrication of Functional Micro/Nanomaterials)
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12 pages, 6027 KiB  
Article
Long-Time Persisting Superhydrophilicity on Sapphire Surface via Femtosecond Laser Processing with the Varnish of TiO2
by Dandan Yan, Zhi Yu, Tingting Zou, Yucai Lin, Wenchi Kong and Jianjun Yang
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(19), 3403; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12193403 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1478
Abstract
The acquiring of superhydrophilic surfaces attracts the strong interest in self-cleaning, anti-fogging and anti-icing fields based on the unique features. However, the persistent time of superhydrophilic surfaces is still facing a big challenge because of easily adsorbing hydrophobic groups. Here, we propose a [...] Read more.
The acquiring of superhydrophilic surfaces attracts the strong interest in self-cleaning, anti-fogging and anti-icing fields based on the unique features. However, the persistent time of superhydrophilic surfaces is still facing a big challenge because of easily adsorbing hydrophobic groups. Here, we propose a strategy to achieve a superhydrophilicity persisting for an unprecedently long time on sapphire surfaces, by compounding the femtosecond laser-induced hierarchical structures and the subsequent varnish of TiO2. The superhydrophilic effect (with a contact angle of CA = 0°) created by our method can be well prolonged to at least 180 days, even for its storage in air without additional illumination of UV lights. Based on comprehensive investigations, we attribute the underlying mechanisms to the coordination of laser-induced metal ions on the material surface via TiO2 doping, which not only prevents the adsorption of the nonpolar hydrocarbon groups, but also modulates the photo-response properties of TiO2. In addition, further experiments demonstrate the excellent anti-fogging properties of our prepared samples. This investigation provides a new perspective for further enhancing the durability of superhydrophilicity surfaces. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Fabrication of Functional Micro/Nanomaterials)
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11 pages, 1397 KiB  
Article
Influence of the Micro-Nanostructuring of Titanium Dioxide Films on the Photocatalytic Degradation of Formic Acid under UV Illumination
by Nicolas Crespo-Monteiro, Marwa Hamandi, Maria Alejandra Usuga Higuita, Chantal Guillard, Frederic Dappozze, Damien Jamon, Francis Vocanson and Yves Jourlin
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(6), 1008; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12061008 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1644
Abstract
Surface micro-nanostructuring can provide new functionalities and properties to coatings. For example, it can improve the absorption efficiency, hydrophobicity and/or tribology properties. In this context, we studied the influence of micro-nanostructuring on the photocatalytic efficiency of sol-gel TiO2 coatings during formic acid [...] Read more.
Surface micro-nanostructuring can provide new functionalities and properties to coatings. For example, it can improve the absorption efficiency, hydrophobicity and/or tribology properties. In this context, we studied the influence of micro-nanostructuring on the photocatalytic efficiency of sol-gel TiO2 coatings during formic acid degradation under UV illumination. The micro-nanostructuring was performed using the UV illumination of microspheres deposited on a photopatternable sol-gel layer, leading to a hexagonal arrangement of micropillars after development. The structures and coatings were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. When the sol-gel TiO2 films were unstructured and untreated at 500 °C, their effect on formic acid’s degradation under UV light was negligible. However, when the films were annealed at 500 °C, they crystallized in the anatase phase and affected the degradation of formic acid under UV light, also depending on the thickness of the layer. Finally, we demonstrated that surface micro-nanostructuring in the form of nanopillars can significantly increase the photocatalytic efficiency of a coating during the degradation of formic acid under UV light. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Fabrication of Functional Micro/Nanomaterials)
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17 pages, 2435 KiB  
Article
Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles Using Bio-Inspired Systems and Electrically Conductive Pattern Fabrication through Laser-Direct Writing
by Sangmo Koo
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 545; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12030545 - 05 Feb 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1494
Abstract
Systems existing in nature have evolved to operate efficiently over a long period of time, enabling efficient material transformation and processing. These natural systems provide hints for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles through efficient electron generation and transport towards metal ions for the [...] Read more.
Systems existing in nature have evolved to operate efficiently over a long period of time, enabling efficient material transformation and processing. These natural systems provide hints for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles through efficient electron generation and transport towards metal ions for the reduction process. In this study, based on the efficient electron transfer mechanism between tryptophan (Trp) in the living body, the possibility of advanced silver patterning on flexible substrates has been presented through laser-direct writing. Irradiation of a low-power laser on the precursor induces the reduction of silver ions to nanoparticles. The sintering of these generated nanoparticles induces a silver conductive pattern by a photothermal/chemical reaction. The method of this study has strength as it supports the possibility of conductive pattern fabrication on various substrates (e.g., glass and PDMS) using a silver-based organic ink with low laser power compared to the conventional nanoparticle-based sintering method. It also suggests its suitability to various applications in terms of sophisticated pattern fabrication with minimized substrate denaturation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Fabrication of Functional Micro/Nanomaterials)
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15 pages, 6384 KiB  
Article
Optical Properties of V2O5 Thin Films on Different Substrates and Femtosecond Laser-Induced Phase Transition Studied by Pump–Probe Method
by Yu Lan, Guowen Yang, Yangping Li, Yuheng Wang, Qianqian Shi and Guanghua Cheng
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(3), 330; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano12030330 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1981
Abstract
Vanadium pentoxide can undergo a reversible phase transition by heating above 260 °C; its non-thermal phase transition, as well as ultrafast dynamical processes, is still not known. Here, femtosecond laser-induced phase transition properties in V2O5 thin films were first explored [...] Read more.
Vanadium pentoxide can undergo a reversible phase transition by heating above 260 °C; its non-thermal phase transition, as well as ultrafast dynamical processes, is still not known. Here, femtosecond laser-induced phase transition properties in V2O5 thin films were first explored using femtosecond time-resolved pump–probe spectroscopy. The results show that the phase transient processes occur on a 10−15–10−13 temporal scale. The phase transition and recovery properties are dependent on both the substrates and pump laser energy densities. We propose the oxygen vacancies theory to explain the results, and we provide valuable insights into V2O5 films for potential applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Fabrication of Functional Micro/Nanomaterials)
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10 pages, 2540 KiB  
Article
Self-Aligned Emission of Distributed Feedback Lasers on Optical Fiber Sidewall
by Tianrui Zhai, Xiaojie Ma, Liang Han, Shuai Zhang, Kun Ge, Yanan Xu, Zhiyang Xu and Libin Cui
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(9), 2381; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11092381 - 13 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1722
Abstract
This article assembles a distributed feedback (DFB) cavity on the sidewalls of the optical fiber by using very simple fabrication techniques including two-beam interference lithography and dip-coating. The DFB laser structure comprises graduated gratings on the optical fiber sidewalls which are covered with [...] Read more.
This article assembles a distributed feedback (DFB) cavity on the sidewalls of the optical fiber by using very simple fabrication techniques including two-beam interference lithography and dip-coating. The DFB laser structure comprises graduated gratings on the optical fiber sidewalls which are covered with a layer of colloidal quantum dots. Directional DFB lasing is observed from the fiber facet due to the coupling effect between the grating and the optical fiber. The directional lasing from the optical fiber facet exhibits a small solid divergence angle as compared to the conventional laser. It can be attributed to the two-dimensional light confinement in the fiber waveguide. An analytical approach based on the Bragg condition and the coupled-wave theory was developed to explain the characteristics of the laser device. The intensity of the output coupled laser is tuned by the coupling coefficient, which is determined by the angle between the grating vector and the fiber axis. These results afford opportunities to integrate different DFB lasers on the same optical fiber sidewall, achieving multi-wavelength self-aligned DFB lasers for a directional emission. The proposed technique may provide an alternative to integrating DFB lasers for applications in networking, optical sensing, and power delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laser Fabrication of Functional Micro/Nanomaterials)
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