Thesis
Growth and characterization of metal nanoparticles on nanowire substrates
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2005
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/347
Abstract
Metal nanoparticles (NPs) on nanowires (NWs) are being investigated to broaden potential uses for future applications. Depositions of Ni, Pt, and Au NPs have been synthesized on SiC, SiO2, and GaN nanowires by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Depositions with high particle densities with average particle diameters of 2.76 and 3.28 nm for Pt and Ni, respectively, were formed with narrow size distributions on SiC NWs. Ni and Pt NPs with averages sizes ≤ 3 nm and narrow size distributions have been achieved on SiO2. The size of the Ni NPs could be varied with changes in the deposition parameter. The Pt NP size was relatively unaffected by changes in deposition parameters over the ranges explored in this present study. Production of gold nanoparticles with the specific goal of particle size control has been investigated by systematic variation of chamber pressure and substrate temperature. Gold nanoparticles have been synthesized on SiO2 and GaN nanowires by PECVD. Determination of particle size and particle size distribution was done using TEM. Au Nanoparticle diameters were between 4 and 12 nm, with particle size increasing as substrate temperature increased from 573 to 873 K. The activation energy for surface diffusion of gold on SiO2 was determined to be 10.4 kJ/mol. A bimodal size distribution was observed at temperatures ≥ 723 K indicating Ostwald ripening dominated by surface diffusion. Particle sizes were found to go through a maximum with increases in chamber pressure. The competition between diffusion within the vapor and dissociation of the precursor cause the pressure effect. PECVD appears to be a rapid and efficient method for production of metal NPs on NWs. A further advantage of PECVD is that it is amenable to the formation of a range of different metal NPs on a wide variety of substrate materials.
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Details
- Title
- Growth and characterization of metal nanoparticles on nanowire substrates
- Creators
- Aaron David Lalonde
- Contributors
- M. Grant Norton (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99900525389701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis