Oxide ultra-thin film surfaces have properties and structures that are significantly different from the terminations of the corresponding bulk crystals. For example, surface structures of epitaxial ultra-thin oxide films are highly influenced by the crystallinity and electronegativity of the metal substrates they grown on. Some enhanced properties of the novel reconstructions are related to catalysis, sensing and microelectronics, which has resulted in an increasing interest in this field. Ultra-thin TiO_x films were grown on Au(111) substrates in this work. Two well-ordered structures within monolayer coverage - honeycomb (HC) and pinwheel - were generated and investigated. Special attention has been paid to the uniform (2 x 2) Ti₂O₃ HC phase including its regular structure and imperfections such as domain boundaries (DBs) and point defects. Linear DBs with long-range repeating units have been observed; density functional theory (DFT) modelling has been used to simulate their atomic structures and calculate their formation energies. Rotational DBs/defects show up less frequently, however a six-fold symmetrical 'snowflake' DB loop stands out. Two types of point defects have been discovered and assigned to Ti vacancies and oxygen vacancies/hydroxyl groups. Their diffusion manners and pairing habits have been discussed within an experimental context. The results of growing NbO_x ultra-thin films on Au(111) are also presented in this thesis. An identical looking (2 x 2) HC structure to the Ti₂O₃ ultra-thin film has been formed; a stoichiometry of Nb2O3 is suggested. Another interesting reconstruction is a hollow triangle structure. Various sizes have been found, and sides of these equilateral triangles all show a double-line feature aligned along the { 1 ₁⁻ } directions of the Au(111) lattice. Chemical composition characterisations of NbO_x thin films are still required as is DFT modelling. Experimental techniques used in this thesis include scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Ultra-thin oxide films were created by physical vapour deposition (PVD) in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems.

Clean air is an indispensable prerequisite for human health. The capture of small toxic molecules requires the development of advanced materials for air filtration. Two-dimensional nanomaterials offer highly accessible surface areas but for real-world applications their assembly into well-defined hierarchical mesostructures is essential. DUT-134(Cu) ([Cu2(dttc)2]n, dttc=dithieno[3,2-b : 2′,3′-d]thiophene-2,6-dicarboxylate]) is a metal–organic framework forming platelet-shaped particles, that can be organized into complex structures, such as millimeter large free-standing layers (carpets) and tubes. The structured material demonstrates enhanced accessibility of open metal sites and significantly enhanced H2S adsorption capacity in gas filtering tests compared with traditional bulk analogues.

[pt] O dissulfeto de molibdênio bidimensional (MoS2 2D) tem atraído significativa atenção devido às suas propriedades eletrônicas e ópticas únicas, tornando-se um material promissor para diversas aplicações, como dispositivos optoeletrônicos e sistemas de armazenamento de energia. Esta tese investiga métodos para aprimorar a emissão de fotoluminescência (PL) de MoS2 monocamada por meio de diferentes tratamentos. Os experimentos realizados visaram criar defeitos na estrutura cristalina de forma controlada, atacando o MoS2 2D com íons. As amostras foram obtidas via Deposição Química a Vapor (CVD). As alterações morfológicas e características eletro-ópticas foram avaliadas por Microscopia de Força Atômica (AFM), Espectroscopia Raman Ressonante e Espectroscopia de Fotoluminescência (PL). A primeira rodada de experimentos utilizou um tratamento de Plasma de Nitrogênio. Evidências de AFM da integridade da morfologia são apresentadas, embora o sinal de PL tenha sido significativamente atenuado para os parâmetros utilizados. A Espectroscopia Raman mostra uma evolução de características-chave à medida que defeitos são progressivamente criados, a saber, a Largura a Meia Altura (FWHM) dos modos vibracionais de segunda ordem 2LA(K) e 2LA(M). Posteriormente, um tratamento com feixes de íons de Hélio foi aplicado, levando a resultados positivos ao controlar o tempo e a energia do tratamento. Os espectros de emissão de fotoluminescência revelam que a intensidade do sinal foi aumentada em até duas vezes. Medidas de Raman Ressonante indicaram que a criação de defeitos foi controlada (com características de segunda ordem praticamente inalteradas). A análise de AFM demonstrou que não houve mudança da escala micrométrica devido aos tratamentos. Este tratamento constitui um método fácil para aprimorar a emissão de fotoluminescência de amostras de MoS2 monocamada crescidas via CVD para futuras aplicações em dispositivos. / [en] Two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (2D MoS2) has gained significant attention due to its unique electronic and optical properties, making it a promising material for various applications, such as optoelectronic devices and energy storage systems. This thesis investigates methods to enhance the photoluminescence (PL) emission of monolayer MoS2 through different treatments. The experiments performed aimed to achieve this by creating defects on the crystal structure in a controlled manner, attacking the 2D MoS2 with ions. The samples were obtained via Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The changes in morphology and electro-optical features were assessed via Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Resonant Raman Spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence (PL) Spectroscopy. The first round of experiments employed a Nitrogen Plasma treatment. AFM evidence of the integrity of the morphology is presented, although the PL signal was significantly quenched for the parameters used. Raman Spectroscopy shows an evolution of key features as defects are progressively created, namely the second-order 2LA(K) and 2LA(M) vibrational modes Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM). Afterwards, a Helium ion beam treatment was applied, yielding positive results when controlling treatment time and energy. Photoluminescence emission spectra revealed the signal intensity was enhanced by up to a factor of 2. Resonant Raman measurements indicated a controlled defect creation was achieved (with practically unchanged second-order features). AFM analysis demonstrated no change in the micrometer scale dut to the treatments. This treatment constitutes a facile method for enhancing CVD grown monolayer MoS2 samples PL emission for future device applications.

<div>The work involves two new method implementation and application in the Quantum transport community for nano-scale electronic devices. </div><div><br></div><div>First method: Ab-initio Tight-Binding(TB)</div><div> </div><div>As the surfacing of novel 2D materials, layers can be stacked freely on top of each other bound by Van der Waals force with atomic precision. New devices created with unique characteristics will need the theoretical guidance. The empirical tight-binding method is known to have difficulty accurately representing Hamiltonian of the 2D materials. Maximally localized Wannier function(MLWF) constructed directly from ab-initio calculation is an efficient and accurate method for basis construction. Together with NEGF, device calculation can be conducted. The implementation of MLWF in NEMO5 and the application on 2D MOS structure to demystify interlayer coupling are addressed. </div><div> </div><div>Second method: Büttiker-probe Recombination/Generation(RG) method:</div><div><br></div><div>The non-equilibrium Green function (NEGF) method is capable of nanodevice performance predictions including coherent and incoherent effects. To treat incoherent scattering, carrier generation and recombination is computationally very expensive. In this work, the numerically efficient Büttiker-probe model is expanded to cover recombination and generation effects in addition to various incoherent scattering processes. The capability of the new method to predict nanodevices is exemplified with quantum well III-N light-emitting diodes and photo-detector. Comparison is made with the state of art drift-diffusion method. Agreements are found to justify the method and disagreements are identified attributing to quantum effects. </div><div><br></div><div>The two menthod are individually developed and utilized together to study BP/MoS2 interface. In this vertical 2D device, anti-ambipolar(AAP) IV curve has been identified experimentally with different explanation in the current literature. An atomistic simulation is performed with basis generated from density functional theory. Recombination process is included and is able to explain the experiment findings and to provide insights into 2D interface devices.</div><div><br></div><div> </div>

<p dir="ltr">Photovoltaics are leading devices in green energy production. Understanding the fundamental physics behind energy transport in candidate materials for future photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices is necessary to both realize material limitations and improve efficiency. Excitons, which are bound electron-hole pairs, are central to determining how energy propagates throughout semiconductors. Exciton transport is greatly influenced by material dimensionality. In highly ordered quantum dot (QD) systems, electronic coupling between individual QDs can lead to coherent exciton transport, whereas in two-dimensional heterostructures, excitons can form at the interface of a heterojunction, creating charge-transfer excitons.</p><p dir="ltr">This dissertation is dedicated to summarizing the studies of exciton transport and behavior in two systems: perovskite QD superlattices and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC)/polyacene heterostructures. Chapter 1 provides readers with details on these materials in addition to information on the fundamental concepts (i.e., excitons, phonons, energy transfer) needed to best appreciate further chapters. Chapter 2 summarizes the spectroscopic techniques (photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopy and microscopy) used to examine exciton behavior. Next, the effects of disorder and dephasing pathways on the ability of perovskite QDs to coherently couple is investigated through the lens of superradiance in Chapter 3. After this, the temperature-dependent exciton transport within perovskite QD superlattices is imaged with high spatial and temporal resolutions in Chapter 4. The experimental transport data on these superlattices provides evidence for environment-assisted quantum transport, which, until this study, had yet to be realized in solid-state systems. In Chapter 5, attention is switched to verifying the existence and deepening the understanding of the behavior of several spatially separated interlayer excitons in a tungsten disulfide/tetracene heterostructure. Finally, Chapter 6 summarizes the preliminary results obtained through transient absorption spectroscopy on other TMDC/polyacene heterostructures where separation of the triplet pair state is attempted. </p><p dir="ltr">It is this author’s hope that this dissertation will not only summarize their graduate work but will also serve as inspiration for others to continue learning and contribute to the advancement of the energy research field.</p>

Various nanostructured materials display unique and interesting optical properties. Specific nanoscale objects discussed in an experimental perspective in this dissertation include optical metamaterials, surface plasmon sensors, and two-dimensional materials. These nanoscale objects were fabricated, investigated optically, and their applications are assessed. First, one-dimensional magnetic gratings were studied, followed by their two-dimensional analog, the so-called "fishnet." Both were fabricated, characterized, and their properties, such as waveguiding modes, are examined. Interestingly, these devices can exhibit optical magnetism and even negative refraction; however, their general characterization at oblique incidence is challenging due to diffraction. Here, a new method of optical characterization of metamaterials which takes into account diffraction is presented. Next, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was experimentally used in two schemes, for the first time, to determine the transition layer characteristics between a metal and dielectric. The physics of interfaces, namely the singularity of electric permittivity and how it can be electrically shifted, becomes clearer owing to the extreme sensitivity of SPR detection mechanisms. Finally, ultra-thin two-dimensional semiconducting materials had their radiative lifetime analyzed. Their lifetimes are tuned both by number of atomic layers and applied voltage biasing across the surface, and the changes in lifetime are suspected to be due to quenching or enhancement of non-radiative process rates.

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The aim of this project is to examine the electric and magneticproperties of three monolayer chromium trihalides when doped withdifferent transitions metals, that is CrXY_6, where X=(Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,V)and Y=(Cl,Br,I). The calculations were made using the software programQuantum Espresso that used density functional theory to solveSchrödinger’s equation. The first step of the calculations was to optimize the atomic positionsand the lattice parameters to find the ground state energy of thecompounds. The magnetic configuration was also examined to find thefavorable configuration. With the optimized values for each compound,the band structure, density of states and the projected density ofstates was calculated. The results confirmed the ferromagnetic behaviorof non-doped compounds, however for some of the doped compounds themagnetic configurations changed to anti-ferromagnetic. Most of thecompounds retained their semiconductor properties when doped and had aband gap near the fermi-energy, while other changed to metallic or halfmetallic and had available electron states at fermi-energy.