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NANOMAT-Nanoteknologi og nye materialer

Novel nanostructured materials by chemical methods

Awarded: NOK 2.3 mill.

Oxides are impressing by exhibiting about all important physical properties, many with great potential for future applications. Since physical properties can be tracked back to bonding aspects and electronic structure, they are likely to show strong corre lations with the atomic arrangement (crystal structure). Consider e.g. how the highly different properties of the traditional bulk forms of carbon, i.e. graphite and diamond, mirror the different electronic interactions allowed by the atomic arrangements. However, the novel nanostructured forms of carbon, i.e. fullerenes, nanotubes and cones, have strikingly different properties where electronic properties depends on fine structural details. The unique structural and physical properties of carbon nanotube s, discovered by Iijima in 1990 [2], have been comprehensively studied [3,4]. The possibility of forming inorganic nanotube analogues is of great interest. New interesting properties, especially electronic, optical and mechanical prop The efforts towards miniaturization of electronic and mechanical devices to structures with a size in the nanometer region, have stimulated intensive, world-wide activities. Among such nanostructures, the tubular materials are especially interesting becau se their geometrically anisotropic structure is associated with an intrinsic multi-functionality, arising from four different contact regions (inner and outer surface, interstitial region, tube opening). Also, nanotubes (NTs) materials are just on their o wn interesting because - in two dimensions - they belong to a size domain in which many collective properties may become critical, e.g., switch from classical to quantum behavior while other extends into the micron world. These properties render nanotubes very promising candidates for the realization of highly functional, effective, and resource-saving nano devices, e.g., single electron transistors, sensors or capacitors [1]. All the fascinating possibilities for potential applicatio The group of prof. Nesper has experience in synthesizing nanotubes and anisotropic nano particles of transition metal oxides and of carbon [5-9]; e.g. nanorods (NR) of MoO3 and Fe2O3 as well as nanotubes of TiO2 and of V2O4.4. The latter mixed valence VOx -NT is easily accessible as a pure product in gram quantities by a low-temperature, soft chemistry synthesis. Further examples of inorganic oxide nanotubes are given in [11-15]. NT/NR materials of BN, TSx (T=Ti, V, Mo, W)[16], Si [17], and Ge[18] are also reported. The group of prof. Fjellvåg and Norby has along with colleagues at UiO (Lillerud) and SINTEF (Stöcker, Akporiaye and others) high skills in hydrothermal methods that will be utilized in the project.

Funding scheme:

NANOMAT-Nanoteknologi og nye materialer