Here we present the result of measurements of electrical resistivity and magnetoresistivity of graphite/diamond nanocomposites (GDNC) and onion-like carbon (OLC) prepared by vacuum annealing of nanodiamond (ND) at various fixed temperatures. GDNC contain particles with a diamond core covered by closed curved graphitic shells. The electrical resistivity of annealed ND is characteristic of systems with localized electrons and can be described in terms of variable hopping-length hopping conductivity (VHLHC). The magnetoresistivity of OLC is negative in the range of field 0<B<2 T, and is positive at B>2 T. The conduction carrier concentration for OLC samples was estimated in the framework of the theory of negative magnetoresistance in semiconductors in the hopping conduction region. The free path length for conducting electrons at liquid helium temperature was estimated from the data on positive magnetoresistivity. The localization length of current carriers was also estimated. The determined parameters are in agreement with proposed structure model of OLC constructed using HRTEM data.

Nanocomposite iron nitride based powders are known to have enhanced magnetic and other physical properties. To further explore their potential for application in various fields, we have performed a systematic study of the iron nitride - alumina and iron nitride - silica systems. Iron nitride powder of composition FexN (2 < x < 4), containing both Fe3N and Fe4N phases, was mechanically milled with Al2O3 or SiO2 powder for 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 hours at the following compositions; (FexN)0.2(Al2O3)0.8, (FexN)0.6(Al2O3)0.4, (FexN)0.2(SiO2)0.8, and (FexN)0.6(SiO2)0.4. Differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction were performed to investigate thermal and structural transitions as a function of milling time. As the milling time is increased, the thermal peak corresponding to Fe4N is diminished, while the one corresponding to Fe3N is enhanced. These transitions are correlated with X-ray diffraction patterns. All XRD peaks broaden as a function of milling time, corresponding to smaller particle size. Transmission electron microscopy also reveals a decrease in particle size as the milling time in increased.

Composite films were electrochemically synthesised via the simultaneous deposition of multiwalled nanotubes and polypyrrole, a conducting polymer. Negatively charged functional groups attached to the surface of the acid treated nanotubes enables the tubes to act as a dopant for the PPy in these films. Scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the nano-porous three-dimensional arrangement of PPy coated MWNTs in these films produced specific capacitances per mass and geometric area as high as 192 F g-1 and 1.0 F cm-2, respectively. This value of specific capacitance per geometric area exceeds that of both component materials and other carbon nanotube-conducting polymer composites. The composite films described in this report were also able to charge and discharge more than an order of magnitude faster than similarly prepared pure PPy films. The nano-porosity and small diffusion distances within the composite films, crucial to achieving the superior capacitive performance, were found to be dependent on the concentration of nanotubes and additional dopant anions in the polymerisation electrolyte, offering possibilities for tailoring of the composite structure.

This paper reports the fabrication of large diameter pores (> 150 nm) in anodic aumina that can be used to create wire arrays with significant surface effects, but without significant quantum confinement. These wires, therefore, allow us to distinguish between optica absorption spectra features originating from quantum effects and those from surface effects. The paper presents techniques towards fabricating these bismuth wire arrays, and presents optical absorption data from two bismuth nanowire arrays in the semimeta-semiconductor transition diameter regime. The results from previous publications are summarized and future directions are outlines.

A novel synthesis route of metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a silicate framework is reported here. This composite nanostructure is highly thermally stable and porous, rendering large surface area and rich surface chemistry promising for catalytic applications. Aqueous solutions of metal salts were used as the precursors of the nanoparticles, and added in an aqueous dispersion of synthetic clay, laponite, in which the clay exists in exfoliated silicate sheets. Acid leaching of the clay sheets occurs in the reaction due to the strong acidity of the metal salt solution. Meanwhile, the metal hydrate ions polymerise because of the high pH of the clay dispersion and condense on the leached silicates. This mechanism is distinctly different from conventional pillaring process. The nanocomposites of various oxides and binary oxides were synthesised. By introducing polyethylene oxide surfactants, we obtained mesoporous nanocomposites with very large surface areas (400-900 m2/g) and porosity. These nanocomposites are superior catalysts or catalyst supports over of microporous pillared clays [1-3] due to their structure and surface properties.

Gold nanowires were fabricated on the stepped MgO (100) surfaces. The stepped MgO (100) surfaces were produced by polishing (100) surfaces at an inclined angle ∼1° toward a [110] direction. An atomic force microscope image indicates that gold nanowires have grown at the steps on MgO (100) surface with a height of ∼ 2 nm and a width of ∼60 nm.

This paper describes the formation of cobalt and iron metal nanoclusters in various polymeric domains. The size of the particles, their size distribution and their geometry is controlled by the extent of the interfacial interactions between the polymeric phase and the growing metal fragments. Iron oxide particles are shown to exhibit various geometries as a function of the polymer medium and the temperature at which they are formed. The selective phase separation and particle confinement of cobalt clusters in the presence of PS25300-b-PMMA25900 block co-polymer was achieved due to the different reactivities of the functional groups in the blocks towards the metal fragments. Transmission electron micrographs showed that cobalt clusters aggregated primarily in the poly(methyl methacrylate) block, while no cobalt nanoclusters were observed in the polystyrene block, thus creating a patterned distribution that coincided with the morphology of the block copolymer.

Using ECR-CVD (electron cyclotron resonance-chemical vapor deposition), we can make amorphous-silicon (a-Si) and nanocrystalline (nc-Si) thin films. We are looking forward to improve the photo/dark conductivity ratio (σp/σd) by measuring the photo and dark current-voltage (I-V). In the ECR deposition, there are several factors which we can control and adjust for improved results, such as the amounts of silane and argon, the vacuum, and the temperature of the substrate. These become the critical factors for ECR deposition in order to make better films. Input gases consist of Ar, 2%SiH4 in He and H2. In the process, SiH4 is decomposed into SiHx. A residual gas analyzer (RGA) gives composition in the plasma. Because Ar possibly etches the substrate and Si is to be deposited, the best RGA signal is obtained with low Ar content. This work serves to correlate process conditions, RGA signals and electrical data. The best RGA signal occurs for 5 mTorr Ar, 60 mTorr SiH4:He, and power of 600 W. Best value of dark conductivity (σd) was 1.53 × 10-9 S/cm and1.58 × 10-5 S/cm for photo conductivity (σp and low value of σd indicate material with fewer defects. Adding extra H2 improves the photo-conductivity (σp). Applications of these films are heterojunction solar cells and thin film transistors. The heterojunction solar cell had a structure of metal grid/ 500°A of aSi:H/p-Si wafer/Ohmic contact. These cells gave an open circuit voltage (Voc) = 0.51 (V) and short circuit current density (Jsc) = 5.5 mA/cm2 under 50mW/cm2 tungsten halogen lamp. Thin film transistors using nc-Si, with gate length/width (L/W) =450/65 gave field effect mobility of 18 cm2/V-s, and Ion/Ioff of 1.25×105.

In this paper, we demonstrate a “Plug and Play” approach, whereby externally synthesized nanoparticles of desired functions and size are incorporated into the semiconductor, followed by the manipulation of surface chemical bonds in order to achieve multiple functionality. Sonochemically synthesised Fe2O3 nanoparticles were introduced onto device quality Si wafers. On annealing the particle-treated Si wafer in ultra high vacuum, oxygen changes the bonding partner from Fe to Si and desorb as SiO at ∼ 760°C, leading to the formation of uniform sized Fe nanoparticles ( size ∼6-8 nm) on the surface and the sample shows ferromagnetic behaviour. More importantly, the particle treated Si exhibits light emission at wavelengths 1.57, 1.61 and 1.65 microns (full width at half maximum ∼ 20 meV). Emission in this wavelength range is crucial for optical communications and is highly desired from a Si based material. Further, oxidation of this material leads to the formation of a selective capping layer of SiO2. Thus, by manipulating the surface chemical bonds, we are able to introduce optical, magnetic, metallic and insulating functions to Si. Additionally, the particles exhibit self-assembly on a patterned Si surface. We believe that this approach is universal and the material developed here is compatible with the planar Si technology, bringing us closer to realization of Si based monolithic electronics.

In this study the intermolecular interactions of small diameter (∼0.7nm) carbon nanotubes and γ-cyclodextrin were examined. Four samples of γ cyclodextrin and HiPco carbon nanotubes were prepared. The first, by grinding the tubes and the cyclodextrin (1:30 ratio) together in a dry mixture, the second was prepared in a similar fashion but was ground in the presence of water (1ml). Finally an aqueous solution of γ-cyclodextrin (0.3M) and HiPco carbon nanotubes (5mg) was prepared by refluxing for ∼100 hours, forming a pale yellow solution from which a number of crystals were produced, both the solution and the recrystallised material were analysed. The samples were analysed using UV-Vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopy. The results presented are the first spectroscopic evidence of an intermolecular interaction between γ-cyclodextrin and single wall nanotubes.

Copper aluminium oxide(CuAlO2) particles, a promissing p-type TCO(transparent conducting oxide), were prepared by spray pyrolysis. Delafossite phase of CuAlO2 was obtained when copper nitrate, copper acetate and copper sulfate, divalent copper precursors, were used as copper precursor and aluminium nitrate as aluminium precursors. However, when copper chloride (CuCl, a monovalent copper precursor) was used, the delafossite phase was not obtained regardless of the type of aluminium precursor. The O2-doped CuAlO2 was obtained by using oxygen as carrier gas.

We experimentally demonstrate the large scale production and controlled collection of metal and semiconductor nanocrystals by laser ablation of microparticles entrained at high density in a flowing aerosol. For silver, produced nanocrystals exhibit bimodal, log-normal size distributions. Mean particle sizes are controlled from 3-16 nm by varying the type and pressure of carrier gas as well as laser fluence. For collection, a micronozzle orifice (d = 200 [.mu]m) accelerates nanocrystals through a sonic jet into a vacuum chamber for deposition onto a room temperature substrate. We describe two regimes of deposition that depend on the nanocrystal's energy per atom on impact. Soft landings ( E << 1 eV/ atom) preserve the individual particle properties such as size and shape. Low energy impaction is demonstrated for CdSe in an argon carrier gas. The CdSe nanoclusters remain crystalline upon deposition and display visible photoluminescence. At higher particle impaction velocities (E ∼ 0.3 eV/atom) nanocrystals exhibit the onset of self sintering upon impact. At high number densities, adherent, conductive lines are formed from deposited silver nanocrystals. Line widths of 33 [.mu]m FWHM are directly written onto substrates using a 200 [.mu]m diameter nozzle.

Ion implantation coupled with annealing is a versatile and flexible approach to creating ferromagnetic near-surface nanocomposites that represent a wide range of particle/host combinations. We have used ion implantation and thermal processing to create a layer of Co nanoparticles in a sapphire host that was subsequently irradiated with Xe, Pt, or Pb in order to systematically modify the magnetic properties of the composite. Transmission electron microscopy (reported in an accompanying paper in this volume) was used to carry out a detailed characterization of the microstructure of the resulting near-surface composites whose magnetic properties were determined using SQUID magnetometry or magnetic circular dichroism. These composites exhibit magnetic hysteresis with coercivities ranging from near zero (i.e., superparamagnetism) up to 1.2 kG - depending on the composition and microstructure. We also present the results of preliminary experiments in which we attempt to control the spatial distribution of magnetic elements within ion-implanted ferromagnetic nanocomposites. The results demonstrate methods for tailoring the magnetic properties of nanocomposites produced by ion implantation for specific applications.

An Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (AMS) is a combination of a Quadrupol- (QMS) and a Particle Mass Spectrometer (PMS) and enables the in-situ analysis of gas phase processes for the generation of nanoparticles. Size distributions of ultrafine silicon carbide particles in the range of 104 atomic mass units (amu) to 107 amu are measured in the PMS. Simultaneously, molecular species up to 300 amu can be detected in the QMS. Aerosols containing nanocrystalline silicon carbide are produced from tetramethylsilane (TMS) by thermal decomposition. In situ process analysis with the AMS as a function of process parameters was performed to elucidate the formation and growth mechanism of SiC nanoparticles.

Nd doped TiO2 nanostructured thin films were prepared by sol-gel technique on quartz and Si substrates using TiCl4 precursor. As-deposited amorphous films were annealed to form anatase phase in the thin films. The film grain size increased with annealing temperature. Above 800°C, rutile began to segregate and the grain size decreased slightly.

The photodegradation of 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) was studied. Doping TiO2 with Nd+3 reduced the photodegradation time. The difference in the ionic radii of Nd+3 and Ti+4 and the oxygen affinities of Nd and Ti were responsible for this effect. These differences help promote electron trapping, thereby increasing the lifetime of the holes which are responsible for the oxidation of 2-CP.

The energy product (BH)max is a figure of merit quantifying the maximum amount of useful work that can be performed by the magnet. The energy product is determined by the magnetic remanence and the coercivity which, as extrinsic properties, are determined by the magnets' microstructure. Thus, in principle, magnetic material microstructures may be tailored to obtain defined parameters to produce optimal permanent magnets. However, as asserted by the eponymous Murphy, “Nature favors the hidden flaw”. While there is still much undeveloped potential in nanomagnetic materials, with relevant length scales on the order of 100 Å, accumulating evidence strongly suggests that maximum remanence and maximum coercivity are mutually exclusive in nanocrystalline magnetic materials. Diverse experimental and computational results obtained from nanocrystalline Nd2Fe14B-based magnets produced by melt-spinning techniques and subjected to various degrees of thermomechanical deformation confirm this conclusion. Recent results obtained from temperature-dependent magnetic measurement, magnetic force microscopy and simple micromagnetic modeling will be reviewed and summarized. The results, while somewhat discouraging, do hint at possible materials design routes to sidestep the inherent performance limitations of the magnetic nanostructures.

The fast mass growth of solid and hollow nanowhiskers of MoO3 and WO3 is obtained owing to the heating of the nanoscale powders of these materials by means of electron beam. Based on our transmission electron microscopic observation the growth mechanism of the MoO3 and WO3 nanowhiskers is proposed.

Hydroxyapetite (HA) coating on medical implant has been used in commercial application for several decades. The coating, commercially made by thermal spray method, functions as a intermediate layer between human tissues and the metal implant. The coating can speed up early stage healing after operation but the life span is much limited by low interfacial bond strength, which comes from the dissolution of amorphous HA in human body fluid during its service. This amorphous phase is formed in coating process under high temperature. To overcome these problems, we have developed a novel room temperature electrophoretic deposition process to fabricate nanostructured HA coating. This nanostructured HA coating significantly improved coating's bond strength up to 50-60 MPa, 2-3 times better than the thermal sprayed HA coating. The nanostructured HA coating also has corrosion resistance 50-100 times higher than the conventional HA coating. X-ray diffraction shows that all the HA coating is fully crystalline phase. It is expected that the implants with the nanostructured HA coating will have much longer service life. Other benefits derived from this process include room temperature deposition, the ability to control the coating microstructure and phases, and low cost for production.

Vanadium oxide nanotubes (VONT) were formed from vanadium (V) oxide and the dodecylamine templating agent by a sol-gel reaction and subsequent hydrothermal treatment. The nanotubes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nanotubes consist of VO2.4[C12H28N] 0.27 and range in diameter from 100 nm to150 nm. The study further reveals that the compound maintained the tubular morphology when heated at 430o C in an inert atmosphere. However, the tubular morphology is destroyed when the compound is heated at about 130°C in oxygen. Organic free manganese intercalated vanadium oxide nanotubes (MnVONT) were synthesized by an ion exchange reaction. The previously mentioned techniques were used to characterize MnVONT. Mn0.86V7O16+δ. nH2O layers have 2D tetragonal cell with a=6.157(3) Å, while interlayer spacing is 10.52 (3) Å. VONT, heated VONT and Mn0.86V7O16+δ. nH2O are redox - active and can insert lithium reversibly. This study reveals that the electrochemical performance of VONT is enhanced by removing the organic template by heating in an inert atmosphere or exchanging with Mn2+ ions.

Nickel was deposited on epitaxial TiN matrix layer grown on Si (100) substrate by pulsed laser deposition process (PLD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study shows that nanoparticles formed are single crystals with two kinds of epitaxial relationship with respect to matrix TiN. One is cube on cube, where (200) Ni // (200) TiN // (200) Si and (022) Ni // (022) TiN // (022) Si. The particles grown in this orientation have a trapezoidal morphology in [011] projection. The other involves a 90 ° rotation with respect to [011] direction of TiN matrix (zone axis), where (022) Ni // (200) TiN // (200) Si and (200) Ni // (022) TiN // (022) Si. The particles grown in this rotated orientation have a triangular morphology in [011] projection and a smaller lattice constant compared with that of pure nickel. The possible mechanism of forming these two epitaxial orientations is discussed. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer was used for magnetic measurements. In order to investigate the effect of texturing on magnetic properties of nanoparticles, results were compared with those obtained from Ni nanoparticles grown on amorphous Al2O3 matrix layer in previous research. It was found that both blocking temperature and coercivity of Ni nanoparticles grown on epitaxial TiN matrix are significantly higher than that of Ni grown on amorphous Al2O3. The higher value of coercivity is possibly associated with the stronger tendency of crystallographically oriented particles to retain their magnetic moments in the presence of reversing magnetic field.