Novel catalysts and oriented oxide thin films from exfoliated nanosheets of layered materials

The aim of the present project is to utilize colloidal dispersions of nanosheets for preparation of novel materials. We have chosen to focus on two main classes of materials, where we believe we can contribute significantly. We intend to prepare novel and improved catalyst materials consisting of metal or metal oxide particles on a support by using either deposition of nanosheets on reactive surfaces, or by decomposition of chemically nanostructured materials prepared by exfoliation and reconstruction. In addition we intend to develop new routes for deposition of highly oriented thin oxide films using nanosheets. The basis for the present work is our ongoing work on delamination and restacking of layered materials (158519/431: Preparation of new chemicall y nanostrcuctured materials via exfoliation of layered materials). In this project we have obtained many interesting results, and we have built up a significant expertise on delamination of layered materials, characterization of the materials and colloida l dispersions of nanosheets and the subsequent restacking of nanosheets into nanostructured materials. In the present proposal we intend to use the knowledge acquired to actively pursue directions aimed at preparing new materials for specific technologica l applications.