<p> Given a rapidly developing world, the need exists for inexpensive renewable energy alternatives to help avoid drastic climate change. Photovoltaics have the potential to fill the energy needs of the future, but significant cost decreases are necessary for widespread adoption. Semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots, are a nascent technology with long term potential to enable inexpensive and high efficiency photovoltaics. When deposited as a film, quantum dots form unique nanocomposites whose electronic and optical properties can be broadly tuned through manipulation of their individual constituents. </p><p> The contents of this thesis explore methods to understand and optimize the optoelectronic properties of PbSe quantum dot films for use in photovoltaic applications. Systematic optimization of photovoltaic performance is demonstrated as a function of nanocrystal size, establishing the potential for utilizing extreme quantum confinement to improve device energetics and alignment. Detailed investigations of the mechanisms of electrical transport are performed, revealing that electronic coupling in quantum dot films is significantly less than often assumed based on optical shifts. A method is proposed to employ extended regions of built-in electrical field, through controlled doping, to sidestep issues of poor transport. To this end, treatments with chemical redox agents are found to effect profound and reversible doping within nanocrystal films, sufficient to enable their use as chemical sensors, but lacking the precision required for optoelectronic applications. Finally, a novel doping method employing "redox buffers" is presented to enact precise, stable, and reversible charge-transfer doping in porous semiconductor films. An example of oxidatively doping PbSe quantum dot thin films is presented, and the future potential for redox buffers in photovoltaic applications is examined.</p>

Many low dimensional structures arise from self-assembly when depositing metals on silicon surfaces, including both quantum dots and quantum wires. One class of these objects are rare earth silicide nanowires (RENW) grown on Si(001). In this dissertation, NW thermal stability, control of NW cross section, and associated surface reconstructions are studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM). We test thulium and find for the first time that it forms NWs and these NWs are stable against prolonged annealing. We also find that the RENWs nucleate at 2×7 reconstruction domain boundaries. These results pave the way for precise control over NW size, placement, and integration with functional nanostructures and nanodevices.Another type of self-assembled NWs on Si(001) are insulating CaF2 NWs. As an ideal model system for epitaxial growth of an insulator on a semiconductor surface, CaF2 offers unique properties such as simple structure, good lattice match to silicon and congruent evaporation. In this thesis the growth behavior of CaF2 on the Si(001) surface is investigated. At low coverages CaF2 molecules randomly locate on Si(001). Features observed at this stage are explained in terms of dissociated fragments of CaF2 terminating the dangling bonds of Si dimers. Etching is observed after surface is saturated by these features with a 2×1 periodicity. A 2×n phase, grown at 750°C, suggests the dissociation of CaF2, as proved by the simulation of LEED patterns. A c(4×4) phase is observed from 0.5ML to about 1ML with deposition temperature from 600oC to 700oC. At the highest CaF2 deposition coverages studied, a stripe phase and CaF2 NWs are observed by a combination of STM, AFM and SEM. The results provide a significant expansion in the knowledge of CaF2 on Si(001). The common thread that links all these studies is the extent to which nanostructures can be controlled by careful growth conditions, not just by substrate temperature and the amount of material deposited, but also by timing of post-deposition annealing, etc. The grown nanostructures are metastable and result from a balance of energetic considerations and kinetics.

Many low dimensional structures arise from self-assembly when depositing metals on silicon surfaces, including both quantum dots and quantum wires. One class of these objects are rare earth silicide nanowires (RENW) grown on Si(001). In this dissertation, NW thermal stability, control of NW cross section, and associated surface reconstructions are studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM). We test thulium and find for the first time that it forms NWs and these NWs are stable against prolonged annealing. We also find that the RENWs nucleate at 2×7 reconstruction domain boundaries. These results pave the way for precise control over NW size, placement, and integration with functional nanostructures and nanodevices.Another type of self-assembled NWs on Si(001) are insulating CaF2 NWs. As an ideal model system for epitaxial growth of an insulator on a semiconductor surface, CaF2 offers unique properties such as simple structure, good lattice match to silicon and congruent evaporation. In this thesis the growth behavior of CaF2 on the Si(001) surface is investigated. At low coverages CaF2 molecules randomly locate on Si(001). Features observed at this stage are explained in terms of dissociated fragments of CaF2 terminating the dangling bonds of Si dimers. Etching is observed after surface is saturated by these features with a 2×1 periodicity. A 2×n phase, grown at 750°C, suggests the dissociation of CaF2, as proved by the simulation of LEED patterns. A c(4×4) phase is observed from 0.5ML to about 1ML with deposition temperature from 600oC to 700oC. At the highest CaF2 deposition coverages studied, a stripe phase and CaF2 NWs are observed by a combination of STM, AFM and SEM. The results provide a significant expansion in the knowledge of CaF2 on Si(001). The common thread that links all these studies is the extent to which nanostructures can be controlled by careful growth conditions, not just by substrate temperature and the amount of material deposited, but also by timing of post-deposition annealing, etc. The grown nanostructures are metastable and result from a balance of energetic considerations and kinetics.

This study investigated the applicability of various analytical tools for the qualitative and quantitative characterization of nanophase electrocatalysts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on February 15, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 178-195). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 17, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 172-181). Also issued in print.

Thesis (Master)--İzmir Institute of Technology, İzmir, 2005. / Keywords: Electrical conductivity, langmuir blodgett technique, metal soaps, nanofilms, moisture adsorption. Includes bibliographical references (leaves. 127-132).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, November, 2007. / Release of full electronic text on OhioLINK has been delayed until November 30, 2010 Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-151)