Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials

Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials

Conducts controlled synthesis and processing of nanomaterials, thin films, and functional hybrid architectures by PLD, CVD, Sonospray, and transfer stamping.  The group specializes in optical spectroscopy characterization, both in situ of the processing environment and growing material during synthesis as well as ex situ and in operando via Raman, PL, SHG, vis-UV, and reflectance spectroscopies to map 2D materials and develop optoelectronic, sensing, and catalytic functionalities.  Raman and PL microspectroscopy is performed in several different environments, ranging from versatile rapid mapping capabilities to measurements with tunable sources for low-frequency modes at cryogenic temperatures.  Ultrafast laser spectroscopy is used to measure quasiparticle dynamics, and new ultrafast cathodoluminescence spectroscopy with nm-resolution is coupled with single superconducting nanowire detection for quantum correlation measurements of single photon emitters.  Multimodal ‘lab on a crystal’ QCM-based platforms are used to correlate electrical, optical, and gravimetric/viscoelastic properties of thin films with environmental effects using AI and ML.  A full suite of heterogeneous catalysis and photocatalysis measurements are also offered.  Capabilities available to users include:

• Catalysis and Operando Spectroscopy: gas phase, electro- and photo-chemistry

  • Multi-wavelength Raman, Operando Raman Spectroscopy            

  • AMI-200, AMI-300, FTIR, Catalysis and Operando IR Spectroscopy

  • Electrocatalyst (EC), Photocatalysis (PC), and Photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) Reactor Systems

    • Reactor systems available for studying catalytic reactions, including PC and PEC (UV, visible and simulated sunlight illumination), with reaction products analyzed with gas chromatography and combinable with Raman spectroscopy for catalyst structure and surface species analysis.

  • BET - Micromeritics Gemini (Volumetric gas adsorption analysis of surface area) 

  • X-ray diffraction and small-angle scattering  ​​​(contact Jong Keum)

• Electrical/Optoelectronic Characterization in Controlled Environments – Sensors, R-T, AC impedance, PV and OLED efficiency

  • Multifunctional Environmental Chamber

• Laser Material Interactions and Processing with in situ diagnostics – heating, patterning, thinning, structuring, transfer, with XY scanning 

• Optical Characterization and Laser Spectroscopy – ultrafast dynamics, microRaman, PL lifetime, UV-VIS-NIR, fluorometry, PLE

  • Tunable Low Frequency Raman Spectroscopy

  • Cary 5000 – UV-NIR - absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance

  • Cryo-Optical Spectroscopies

  • Femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy

• Cathodoluminescence microscopy including spectrally, spatially, polarization, temperature, angle, and time resolved analysis

  • SEM with Cathodoluminescence 

• Oxide Thin Film PLD with high-pressure RHEED – films, complex heterostructures, PLD with conventional and laser heating

  • Pulsed Laser Deposition of Thin Films

  • X-ray diffraction and small-angle scattering  ​​​(contact Jong Keum)

• Physical Property Measurement System (PPMS)

  • Physical Property Measurement System 

• Synthesis of Nanomaterials by CVD, PLD with in situ diagnostics – 2D TMCs, graphene; 1D SWNTs, NT Arrays, NWs; NPs, SWNHs

  • CVD Furnace

  • Pulsed Laser Deposition with in situ Diagnostics

• Wet/Dry Assembly of Organic/Inorganic/Hybrid Films and Devices – dual glovebox evaporator, Sonospray, 2D stamping, perovskite PV

  • Controlled Atmosphere Glovebox

  • 2D Crystal Stamping

    • A microscope based setup to transfer exfoliated or CVD-grown layers of 2D materials from polymer-coated ribbons is available, allowing the stamp-fabrication of 2D heterostructures.

  • Sonospray deposition of nanomaterials and organics

    • Computer-controlled sono-spray deposition of nano materials, polymers, and nano composites from solutions and suspensions for uniform or patterned deposition on small or large areas (up to 1ft x 1ft) with minimum feature size of 1.5 mm.