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Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films
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Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2019) | Viewed by 75081

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ion N. Mihailescu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Lasers Department, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, 077125 Magurele, Romania
Interests: pulsed laser deposition; modification and characterization of nanostructured thin coatings; matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE); laser surface studies and processing; biomaterials thin layers; tissue engineering; biomimetic metallic implants; optoelectronics and sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of Nanomaterials entitled "Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films", which is devoted to nanostructures for applications in science, technology, and biomedicine. We expect new original results and interpretations in the synthesis of nanostructures with a special emphasis on complex characterizations and multifunctional utilizations.

This Special Issue is open to any kind of synthesis process and also includes multiple congruent characterization, complex interpretations of results, and recent applications in multiple fields.

The conviction of the Guest Editor is that many advances should be marked in the field and they deserve an up-to-date review. The authors should refer to previous progress in the field and try to focus on the latest developments within this domain.

We believe that the time has come for such an evaluation. The topics of this issue are quite generous starting from synthesis via characterization and going to last hour applications of nanomaterials.

Prof. Dr. Ion N. Mihailescu
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.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Synthesis of nanostructures
  • Methods of synthesis
  • Characterization of thin films and nanoparticles
  • Key technological applications

Published Papers (19 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 171 KiB  
Editorial
Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films
by Ion N. Mihailescu
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(10), 1427; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9101427 - 09 Oct 2019
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1818
Abstract
The idea of nanomaterials, nanoscience, and nanotechnologies was formulated by Richard Feynman in 1959 in his famous lecture “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

22 pages, 15750 KiB  
Article
Influence of Femtosecond Laser Surface Nanotexturing on the Friction Behavior of Silicon Sliding Against PTFE
by Isabel Alves-Lopes, Amélia Almeida, Vítor Oliveira and Rui Vilar
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(9), 1237; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9091237 - 30 Aug 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2696
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) produced by femtosecond laser on the friction behavior of silicon sliding on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in unlubricated conditions. Tribological tests were performed on polished and textured samples [...] Read more.
The aim of the present work was to investigate the influence of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) produced by femtosecond laser on the friction behavior of silicon sliding on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in unlubricated conditions. Tribological tests were performed on polished and textured samples in air using a ball-on-flat nanotribometer, in order to evaluate the friction coefficient of polished and textured silicon samples, parallel and perpendicularly to the LIPSS orientation. In the polished specimens, the friction coefficient decreases with testing time at 5 mN, while it increases slightly at 25 mN. It also decreases with increasing applied load. For the textured specimens, the friction coefficient tends to decrease with testing time in both sliding directions studied. In the parallel sliding direction, the friction coefficient decreases with increasing load, attaining values similar to those measured for the polished specimen, while it is independent of the applied load in the perpendicular sliding direction, exhibiting values lower than in the two other cases. These results can be explained by variations in the main contributions to friction and in the wear mechanisms. The influence of the temperature increase at the interface and the consequent changes in the crystalline phases of PTFE are also considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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18 pages, 5987 KiB  
Article
Fabrication, Characterization, and Properties of Poly (Ethylene-Co-Vinyl Acetate) Composite Thin Films Doped with Piezoelectric Nanofillers
by Giulia Mariotti and Lorenzo Vannozzi
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(8), 1182; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9081182 - 20 Aug 2019
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4122
Abstract
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a copolymer comprehending the semi-crystalline polyethylene and amorphous vinyl acetate phases, which potentially allow the fabrication of tunable materials. This paper aims at describing the fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite thin films made of polyethylene vinyl acetate, at [...] Read more.
Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a copolymer comprehending the semi-crystalline polyethylene and amorphous vinyl acetate phases, which potentially allow the fabrication of tunable materials. This paper aims at describing the fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite thin films made of polyethylene vinyl acetate, at different polymer concentration and vinyl acetate content, doped with piezoelectric nanomaterials, namely zinc oxide and barium titanate. These membranes are prepared by solvent casting, achieving a thickness in the order of 100–200 µm. The nanocomposites are characterized in terms of morphological, mechanical, and chemical properties. Analysis of the nanocomposites shows the nanofillers to be homogeneously dispersed in EVA matrix at different vinyl acetate content. Their influence is also noted in the mechanical behavior of thin films, which elastic modulus ranged from about 2 to 25 MPa, while keeping an elongation break from 600% to 1500% and tensile strength from 2 up to 13 MPa. At the same time, doped nanocomposite materials increase their crystallinity degree than the bare ones. The radiopacity provided by the addition of the dopant agents is proven. Finally, the direct piezoelectricity of nanocomposites membranes is demonstrated, showing higher voltage outputs (up to 2.5 V) for stiffer doped matrices. These results show the potentialities provided by the addition of piezoelectric nanomaterials towards mechanical reinforcement of EVA-based matrices while introducing radiopaque properties and responsiveness to mechanical stimuli. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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13 pages, 2324 KiB  
Article
Investigation of Optimum Mg Doping Content and Annealing Parameters of Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 Thin Films for Solar Cells
by Yingrui Sui, Yu Zhang, Dongyue Jiang, Wenjie He, Zhanwu Wang, Fengyou Wang, Bin Yao and Lili Yang
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(7), 955; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9070955 - 30 Jun 2019
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3147
Abstract
Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 (0 ≤ x ≤0.6) thin films were prepared by a simple, low-temperature (300 °C) and low-cost sol–gel spin coating method followed by post-annealing at optimum conditions. We optimized the annealing conditions and investigated the [...] Read more.
Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 (0 ≤ x ≤0.6) thin films were prepared by a simple, low-temperature (300 °C) and low-cost sol–gel spin coating method followed by post-annealing at optimum conditions. We optimized the annealing conditions and investigated the effect of Mg content on the crystalline quality, electrical and optical performances of the Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 thin films. It was found that the Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 film annealed at 580 °C for 60 min contained large grain, less grain boundaries and high carrier concentration. Pure phase kesterite Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) thin films were obtained by using optimal annealing conditions; notably, the smaller Zn2+ ions in the Cu2ZnSnS4 lattice were replaced by larger Mg2+ ions. With an increase in x from 0 to 0.6, the band gap energy of the films decreased from 1.43 to 1.29 eV. When the ratio of Mg/Mg + Zn is 0.2 (x = 0.2), the grain size of Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 reaches a maximum value of 1.5 μm and the surface morphology is smooth and dense. Simultaneously, the electrical performance of Cu2MgxZn1−xSnS4 thin film is optimized at x = 0.2, the carrier concentration reaches a maximum value of 3.29 × 1018 cm−3. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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11 pages, 2395 KiB  
Article
Influences of Ga Doping on Crystal Structure and Polarimetric Pattern of SHG in ZnO Nanofilms
by Hua Long, Ammar Ayesh Habeeb, Dickson Mwenda Kinyua, Kai Wang, Bing Wang and Peixiang Lu
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(6), 905; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9060905 - 21 Jun 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3432
Abstract
The second-harmonic generation (SHG) in gallium doped ZnO (GZO) nanofilms was studied. The Ga doping in GZO nanofilms influenced the crystal structure of the films, which affected SHG characteristics of the nanofilms. In our experiments, a strong SHG response was obtained in GZO [...] Read more.
The second-harmonic generation (SHG) in gallium doped ZnO (GZO) nanofilms was studied. The Ga doping in GZO nanofilms influenced the crystal structure of the films, which affected SHG characteristics of the nanofilms. In our experiments, a strong SHG response was obtained in GZO nanofilms, which was excited by 790 nm femtosecond laser. It was observed that the Ga doping concentrations affected, not only the intensity, but also the polarimetric pattern of SHG in GZO nanofilms. For 5.0% doped GZO films, the SHG intensity increased about 70%. The intensity ratio of SHG between the incident light polarization angle of 90° and 0°changed with the Ga doping concentrations. It showed the most significant increase for 7.3% doped GZO films, with an increased ratio of c/a crystal constants. This result was attributed to the differences of the ratios of d33/d31 (the second-order nonlinear susceptibility components) induced by the crystal distortion. The results are helpful to investigate nanofilms doping levels and crystal distortion by SHG microscopy, which is a non-destructive and sensitive method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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15 pages, 3721 KiB  
Article
Surface Characteristics and Biological Evaluation of Si-DLC Coatings Fabricated Using Magnetron Sputtering Method on Ti6Al7Nb Substrate
by Dorota Bociaga, Anna Sobczyk-Guzenda, Piotr Komorowski, Jacek Balcerzak, Krzysztof Jastrzebski, Karolina Przybyszewska and Anna Kaczmarek
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(6), 812; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9060812 - 29 May 2019
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4652
Abstract
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are well known as protective coatings for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the incorporation of different elements, such as silicon (Si), in the carbon matrix changes the bio-functionality of the DLC coatings. This has also been proven by the results obtained [...] Read more.
Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are well known as protective coatings for biomedical applications. Furthermore, the incorporation of different elements, such as silicon (Si), in the carbon matrix changes the bio-functionality of the DLC coatings. This has also been proven by the results obtained in this work. The Si-DLC coatings were deposited on the Ti6Al7Nb alloy, which is commonly used in clinical practice, using the magnetron sputtering method. According to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the content of silicon in the examined coatings varied from ~2 at.% up to ~22 at.%. Since the surface characteristics are key factors influencing the cell response, the results of the cells’ proliferation and viability assays (live/dead and XTT (colorimetric assays using tetrazolium salt)) were correlated with the surface properties. The surface free energy (SFE) measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis demonstrated that the polarity and wettability of the surfaces examined increase with increasing Si concentration, and therefore the adhesion and proliferation of cells was enhanced. The results obtained revealed that the biocompatibility of Si-doped DLC coatings, regardless of the Si content, remains at a very high level (the observed viability of endothelial cells is above 70%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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15 pages, 10478 KiB  
Article
Pulsed Laser Fabrication of TiO2 Buffer Layers for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
by Jeanina Lungu, Gabriel Socol, George E. Stan, Nicolaie Ştefan, Cătălin Luculescu, Adrian Georgescu, Gianina Popescu-Pelin, Gabriel Prodan, Mihai A. Gîrţu and Ion N. Mihăilescu
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(5), 746; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9050746 - 15 May 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2782
Abstract
We report on the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells with a TiO2 buffer layer between the transparent conductive oxide substrate and the mesoporous TiO2 film, in order to improve the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the device. The buffer layer was fabricated [...] Read more.
We report on the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells with a TiO2 buffer layer between the transparent conductive oxide substrate and the mesoporous TiO2 film, in order to improve the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the device. The buffer layer was fabricated by pulsed laser deposition whereas the mesoporous film by the doctor blade method, using TiO2 paste obtained by the sol–gel technique. The buffer layer was deposited in either oxygen (10 Pa and 50 Pa) or argon (10 Pa and 50 Pa) onto transparent conducting oxide glass kept at room temperature. The cross-section scanning electron microscopy image showed differences in layer morphology and thickness, depending on the deposition conditions. Transmission electron microscopy studies of the TiO2 buffer layers indicated that films consisted of grains with typical diameters of 10 nm to 30 nm. We found that the photovoltaic conversion efficiencies, determined under standard air mass 1.5 global (AM 1.5G) conditions, of the solar cells with a buffer layer are more than two times larger than those of the standard cells. The best performance was reached for buffer layers deposited at 10 Pa O2. We discuss the processes that take place in the device and emphasize the role of the brush-like buffer layer in the performance increase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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14 pages, 8871 KiB  
Article
Biomimetic Collagen/Zn2+-Substituted Calcium Phosphate Composite Coatings on Titanium Substrates as Prospective Bioactive Layer for Implants: A Comparative Study Spin Coating vs. MAPLE
by Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Laura Vasilica Arsenie, Roxana Trusca, Ioana Lavinia Ardelean, Natalia Mihailescu, Ion Nicolae Mihailescu, Carmen Ristoscu, Coralia Bleotu, Anton Ficai and Ecaterina Andronescu
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(5), 692; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9050692 - 03 May 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3541
Abstract
Synthesis of biomimetic materials for implants and prostheses is a hot topic in nanobiotechnology strategies. Today the major approach of orthopaedic implants in hard tissue engineering is represented by titanium implants. A comparative study of hybrid thin coatings deposition was performed by spin [...] Read more.
Synthesis of biomimetic materials for implants and prostheses is a hot topic in nanobiotechnology strategies. Today the major approach of orthopaedic implants in hard tissue engineering is represented by titanium implants. A comparative study of hybrid thin coatings deposition was performed by spin coating and matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) onto titanium substrates. The Collagen-calcium phosphate (Coll-CaPs) combination was selected as the best option to mimic natural bone tissue. To accelerate the mineralization process, Zn2+ ions were inserted by substitution in CaPs. A superior thin film homogeneity was assessed by MAPLE, as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy. A decrease of P-O and amide absorbance bands was observed as a consequence of different Zn2+ amounts. A variety of structural modifications of the apatite layer are then generated, which influenced the confinement process towards the collagen template. The in-vitro Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) assay demonstrated the ability of Coll/Zn2+-CaPs coatings to stimulate the mineralization process as a result of synergic effects in the collagen-Zn2+ substituted apatite. For both deposition methods, the formation of droplets associated to the growth of CaPs particulates inside the collagen matrix was visualized. This supports the prospective behavior of MAPLE biomimetic coatings to induce mineralization, as an essential step of fast implant integration with vivid tissues. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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15 pages, 7417 KiB  
Article
Laser-Synthesized SERS Substrates as Sensors toward Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
by Matteo Tommasini, Chiara Zanchi, Andrea Lucotti, Alessandro Bombelli, Nicolò S. Villa, Marina Casazza, Emilio Ciusani, Ugo de Grazia, Marco Santoro, Enza Fazio, Fortunato Neri, Sebastiano Trusso and Paolo M. Ossi
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(5), 677; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9050677 - 01 May 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3557
Abstract
The synthesis by pulsed laser ablation and the characterization of both the surface nanostructure and the optical properties of noble metal nanoparticle-based substrates used in Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy are discussed with reference to application in the detection of anti-epileptic drugs. Results on [...] Read more.
The synthesis by pulsed laser ablation and the characterization of both the surface nanostructure and the optical properties of noble metal nanoparticle-based substrates used in Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy are discussed with reference to application in the detection of anti-epileptic drugs. Results on two representative drugs, namely Carbamazepine and Perampanel, are critically addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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14 pages, 2070 KiB  
Article
Ge-Sb-Te Chalcogenide Thin Films Deposited by Nanosecond, Picosecond, and Femtosecond Laser Ablation
by Georgiana Bulai, Oana Pompilian, Silviu Gurlui, Petr Nemec, Virginie Nazabal, Nicanor Cimpoesu, Bertrand Chazallon and Cristian Focsa
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(5), 676; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9050676 - 01 May 2019
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3634
Abstract
Ge-Sb-Te thin films were obtained by ns-, ps-, and fs-pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in various experimental conditions. The thickness of the samples was influenced by the Nd-YAG laser wavelength, fluence, target-to-substrate distance, and deposition time. The topography and chemical analysis results showed that [...] Read more.
Ge-Sb-Te thin films were obtained by ns-, ps-, and fs-pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in various experimental conditions. The thickness of the samples was influenced by the Nd-YAG laser wavelength, fluence, target-to-substrate distance, and deposition time. The topography and chemical analysis results showed that the films deposited by ns-PLD revealed droplets on the surface together with a decreased Te concentration and Sb over-stoichiometry. Thin films with improved surface roughness and chemical compositions close to nominal values were deposited by ps- and fs-PLD. The X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy results showed that the samples obtained with ns pulses were partially crystallized while the lower fluences used in ps- and fs-PLD led to amorphous depositions. The optical parameters of the ns-PLD samples were correlated to their structural properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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11 pages, 7909 KiB  
Communication
The Effects of ZnTe:Cu Back Contact on the Performance of CdTe Nanocrystal Solar Cells with Inverted Structure
by Bingchang Chen, Junhong Liu, Zexin Cai, Ao Xu, Xiaolin Liu, Zhitao Rong, Donghuan Qin, Wei Xu, Lintao Hou and Quanbin Liang
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(4), 626; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9040626 - 17 Apr 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3281
Abstract
CdTe nanocrystal (NC) solar cells have received much attention in recent years due to their low cost and environmentally friendly fabrication process. Nowadays, the back contact is still the key issue for further improving device performance. It is well known that, in the [...] Read more.
CdTe nanocrystal (NC) solar cells have received much attention in recent years due to their low cost and environmentally friendly fabrication process. Nowadays, the back contact is still the key issue for further improving device performance. It is well known that, in the case of CdTe thin-film solar cells prepared with the close-spaced sublimation (CSS) method, Cu-doped CdTe can drastically decrease the series resistance of CdTe solar cells and result in high device performance. However, there are still few reports on solution-processed CdTe NC solar cells with Cu-doped back contact. In this work, ZnTe:Cu or Cu:Au back contact layer (buffer layer) was deposited on the CdTe NC thin film by thermal evaporation and devices with inverted structure of ITO/ZnO/CdSe/CdTe/ZnTe:Cu (or Cu)/Au were fabricated and investigated. It was found that, comparing to an Au or Cu:Au device, the incorporation of ZnTe:Cu as a back contact layer can improve the open circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) due to an optimized band alignment, which results in enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE). By carefully optimizing the treatment of the ZnTe:Cu film (altering the film thickness and annealing temperature), an excellent PCE of 6.38% was obtained, which showed a 21.06% improvement compared with a device without ZnTe:Cu layer (with a device structure of ITO/ZnO/CdSe/CdTe/Au). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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13 pages, 5135 KiB  
Article
Effect of Thickness of Molybdenum Nano-Interlayer on Cohesion between Molybdenum/Titanium Multilayer Film and Silicon Substrate
by Huahai Shen, Bing Yao, Jianwei Zhang, Xinqiao Zhu, Xia Xiang, Xiaosong Zhou and Xiaotao Zu
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(4), 616; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9040616 - 16 Apr 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4216
Abstract
Titanium (Ti) film has been used as a hydrogen storage material. The effect of the thickness of a molybdenum (Mo) nano-interlayer on the cohesive strength between a Mo/Ti multilayer film and a single crystal silicon (Si) substrate was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), [...] Read more.
Titanium (Ti) film has been used as a hydrogen storage material. The effect of the thickness of a molybdenum (Mo) nano-interlayer on the cohesive strength between a Mo/Ti multilayer film and a single crystal silicon (Si) substrate was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nano-indenter. Four groups of Si/Mo/Ti multilayer films with different thicknesses of Mo and Ti films were fabricated. The XRD results showed that the introduction of the Mo layer suppressed the chemical reaction between the Ti film and Si substrate. The nano-indenter scratch results demonstrated that the cohesion between the Mo/Ti film and Si substrate decreased significantly with increasing Mo interlayer thickness. The XRD stress analysis indicated that the residual stress in the Si/Mo/Ti film was in-plane tensile stress which might be due to the lattice expansion at a high film growth temperature of 700 °C and the discrepancy of the thermal expansion coefficient between the Ti film and Si substrate. The tensile stress in the Si/Mo/Ti film decreased with increasing Mo interlayer thickness. During the cooling of the Si substrate, a greater decrease in tensile stress occurred for the thicker Mo interlayer sample, which became the driving force for reducing the cohesion between the Mo/Ti film and Si substrate. The results confirmed that the design of the Mo interlayer played an important role in the quality of the Ti film grown on Si substrate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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15 pages, 4997 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Study of Ge-DLC Nanocomposite Biomaterials Prepared by Laser Codeposition
by Miroslav Jelinek, Tomáš Kocourek, Karel Jurek, Michal Jelinek, Barbora Smolková, Mariia Uzhytchak and Oleg Lunov
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(3), 451; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9030451 - 18 Mar 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3833
Abstract
This paper deals with the synthesis and study of the properties of germanium-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) films. For deposition of doped DLC films, hybrid laser technology was used. Using two deposition lasers, it was possible to arrange the dopant concentrations by varying the [...] Read more.
This paper deals with the synthesis and study of the properties of germanium-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) films. For deposition of doped DLC films, hybrid laser technology was used. Using two deposition lasers, it was possible to arrange the dopant concentrations by varying the laser repetition rate. Doped films of Ge concentrations from 0 at.% to 12 at.% were prepared on Si (100) and fused silica (FS) substrates at room temperature. Film properties, such as growth rate, roughness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology, wavelength dependent X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) composition, VIS-near infrared (IR) transmittance, and biological properties (cytotoxicity, effects on cellular morphology, and ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS)) were studied in relation to codeposition conditions and dopant concentrations. The analysis showed that Ge-DLC films exhibit cytotoxicity for higher Ge doping. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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10 pages, 2753 KiB  
Article
Blue Electroluminescent Al2O3/Tm2O3 Nanolaminate Films Fabricated by Atomic Layer Deposition on Silicon
by Yao Liu, Zhongtao Ouyang, Li Yang, Yang Yang and Jiaming Sun
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(3), 413; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9030413 - 11 Mar 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3062
Abstract
Realization of a silicon-based light source is of significant importance for the future development of optoelectronics and telecommunications. Here, nanolaminate Al2O3/Tm2O3 films are fabricated on silicon utilizing atomic layer deposition, and intense blue electroluminescence (EL) from [...] Read more.
Realization of a silicon-based light source is of significant importance for the future development of optoelectronics and telecommunications. Here, nanolaminate Al2O3/Tm2O3 films are fabricated on silicon utilizing atomic layer deposition, and intense blue electroluminescence (EL) from Tm3+ ions is achieved in the metal-oxide-semiconductor structured luminescent devices based on them. Precise control of the nanolaminates enables the study on the influence of the Tm dopant layers and the distance between every Tm2O3 layer on the EL performance. The 456 nm blue EL from Tm3+ ions shows a maximum power density of 0.15 mW/cm2. The EL intensities and decay lifetime decrease with excessive Tm dopant cycles due to the reduction of optically active Tm3+ ions. Cross-relaxation among adjacent Tm2O3 dopant layers reduces the blue EL intensity and the decay lifetime, which strongly depends on the Al2O3 sublayer thickness, with a critical value of ~3 nm. The EL is attributed to the impact excitation of the Tm3+ ions by hot electrons in Al2O3 matrix via Poole–Frenkel mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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10 pages, 1488 KiB  
Article
Nonlinear Optical Studies of Gold Nanoparticle Films
by Anuradha Rout, Ganjaboy S. Boltaev, Rashid A. Ganeev, Yue Fu, Sandeep Kumar Maurya, Vyacheslav V. Kim, Konda Srinivasa Rao and Chunlei Guo
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(2), 291; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9020291 - 19 Feb 2019
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4752
Abstract
Gold films are widely used for different applications. We present the results of third- and high-order nonlinear optical studies of the thin films fabricated from Au nanoparticle solutions by spin-coating methods. These nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation of bulk gold in pure [...] Read more.
Gold films are widely used for different applications. We present the results of third- and high-order nonlinear optical studies of the thin films fabricated from Au nanoparticle solutions by spin-coating methods. These nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation of bulk gold in pure water using 200 ps, 800 nm pulses. The highest values of the nonlinear absorption coefficient (9 × 10−6 cm W−1), nonlinear refractive index (3 × 10−11 cm2 W−1), and saturation intensity (1.3 × 1010 W cm−2) were achieved using 35 fs, 400 nm pulses. We also determined the relaxation time constants for transient absorption (220 fs and 1.6 ps) at 400 nm. The high-order harmonic generation was studied during propagation of 35 fs, 800 nm pulses through the plasma during the ablation of gold nanoparticle film and bulk gold. The highest harmonic cutoff (29th order) was observed in the plasma containing gold nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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8 pages, 1930 KiB  
Article
Long Low-Loss-Litium Niobate on Insulator Waveguides with Sub-Nanometer Surface Roughness
by Rongbo Wu, Min Wang, Jian Xu, Jia Qi, Wei Chu, Zhiwei Fang, Jianhao Zhang, Junxia Zhou, Lingling Qiao, Zhifang Chai, Jintian Lin and Ya Cheng
Nanomaterials 2018, 8(11), 910; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano8110910 - 06 Nov 2018
Cited by 135 | Viewed by 9267
Abstract
In this paper, we develop a technique for realizing multi-centimeter-long lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) waveguides with a propagation loss as low as 0.027 dB/cm. Our technique relies on patterning a chromium thin film coated on the top surface of LNOI into a [...] Read more.
In this paper, we develop a technique for realizing multi-centimeter-long lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) waveguides with a propagation loss as low as 0.027 dB/cm. Our technique relies on patterning a chromium thin film coated on the top surface of LNOI into a hard mask with a femtosecond laser followed by chemo-mechanical polishing for structuring the LNOI into the waveguides. The surface roughness on the waveguides was determined with an atomic force microscope to be 0.452 nm. The approach is compatible with other surface patterning technologies, such as optical and electron beam lithographies or laser direct writing, enabling high-throughput manufacturing of large-scale LNOI-based photonic integrated circuits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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10 pages, 2761 KiB  
Article
An Eight-Channel C-Band Demux Based on Multicore Photonic Crystal Fiber
by Dror Malka and Gilad Katz
Nanomaterials 2018, 8(10), 845; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano8100845 - 17 Oct 2018
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 3794
Abstract
A novel eight-channel demux device based on multicore photonic crystal fiber (PCF) structures that operate in the C-band range (1530–1565 nm) has been demonstrated. The PCF demux design is based on replacing some air-hole areas with lithium niobate and silicon nitride materials over [...] Read more.
A novel eight-channel demux device based on multicore photonic crystal fiber (PCF) structures that operate in the C-band range (1530–1565 nm) has been demonstrated. The PCF demux design is based on replacing some air-hole areas with lithium niobate and silicon nitride materials over the PCF axis alongside with the appropriate optimizations of the PCF structure. The beam propagation method (BPM) combined with Matlab codes was used to model the demux device and optimize the geometrical parameters of the PCF structure. The simulation results showed that the eight-channel demux can be demultiplexing after light propagation of 5 cm with a large bandwidth (4.03–4.69 nm) and cross-talk (−16.88 to −15.93 dB). Thus, the proposed device has great potential to be integrated into dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) technology for increasing performances in networking systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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25 pages, 12037 KiB  
Article
Aqueous Synthesis, Degradation, and Encapsulation of Copper Nanowires for Transparent Electrodes
by Josef Mock, Marco Bobinger, Christian Bogner, Paolo Lugli and Markus Becherer
Nanomaterials 2018, 8(10), 767; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano8100767 - 28 Sep 2018
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4176
Abstract
Copper nanowires (CuNWs) have increasingly become subjected to academic and industrial research, which is attributed to their good performance as a transparent electrode (TE) material that competes with the one of indium tin oxide (ITO). Recently, an environmentally friendly and aqueous synthesis of [...] Read more.
Copper nanowires (CuNWs) have increasingly become subjected to academic and industrial research, which is attributed to their good performance as a transparent electrode (TE) material that competes with the one of indium tin oxide (ITO). Recently, an environmentally friendly and aqueous synthesis of CuNWs was demonstrated, without the use of hydrazine that is known for its unfavorable properties. In this work, we extend the current knowledge for the aqueous synthesis of CuNWs by studying their up-scaling potential. This potential is an important aspect for the commercialization and further development of CuNW-based devices. Due to the scalability and homogeneity of the deposition process, spray coating was selected to produce films with a low sheet resistance of 7.6 Ω/sq. and an optical transmittance of 77%, at a wavelength of 550 nm. Further, we present a comprehensive investigation of the degradation of CuNWs when subjected to different environmental stresses such as the exposure to ambient air, elevated temperatures, high electrical currents, moisture or ultraviolet (UV) light. For the oxidation process, a model is derived to describe the dependence of the breakdown time with the temperature and the initial resistance. Finally, polymer coatings made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), as well as oxide coatings composed of electron beam evaporated silicon dioxide (SiO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) are tested to hinder the oxidation of the CuNW films under current flow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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11 pages, 3927 KiB  
Article
Structural and Stress Properties of AlGaN Epilayers Grown on AlN-Nanopatterned Sapphire Templates by Hydride Vapor Phase Epitaxy
by Chi-Tsung Tasi, Wei-Kai Wang, Sin-Liang Ou, Shih-Yung Huang, Ray-Hua Horng and Dong-Sing Wuu
Nanomaterials 2018, 8(9), 704; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano8090704 - 10 Sep 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3754
Abstract
In this paper, we report the epitaxial growth and material characteristics of AlGaN (Al mole fraction of 10%) on an AlN/nanopatterned sapphire substrate (NPSS) template by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The crystalline quality, surface morphology, microstructure, and stress state of the AlGaN/AlN/NPSS [...] Read more.
In this paper, we report the epitaxial growth and material characteristics of AlGaN (Al mole fraction of 10%) on an AlN/nanopatterned sapphire substrate (NPSS) template by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). The crystalline quality, surface morphology, microstructure, and stress state of the AlGaN/AlN/NPSS epilayers were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicate that the crystal quality of the AlGaN film could be improved when grown on the AlN/NPSS template. The screw threading dislocation (TD) density was reduced to 1.4 × 109 cm−2 for the AlGaN epilayer grown on the AlN/NPSS template, which was lower than that of the sample grown on a flat c-plane sapphire substrate (6.3 × 109 cm−2). As examined by XRD measurements, the biaxial tensile stress of the AlGaN film was significantly reduced from 1,187 MPa (on AlN/NPSS) to 38.41 MPa (on flat c-plane sapphire). In particular, an increase of the Al content in the overgrown AlGaN layer was confirmed by the TEM observation. This could be due to the relaxation of the in-plane stress through the AlGaN and AlN/NPSS template interface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films)
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