Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-98).

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-77). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-152).

Thèse (Ph. D.)--Université Laval, 2005. / Bibliogr. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Sydney, 2008. / Title from title screen (viewed Jan 07, 2009). Includes two published articles co-authored with others. Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the Australina Key Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, Electron Microscope Unit, Faculty of Science. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

Orientador: Antonio Riul Junior / Co-orientador: Douglas Soares Galvão / Banca: Alexys Bruno Alfonso / Banca: Paulo Noronha Lisboa Filho / Banca: Augusto Batagin Neto / Banca: Cristiano Woellner / O Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia de Materiais, PosMat, tem caráter institucional e integra as atividades de pesquisa em materiais de diversos campi / Resumo: Estudamos a nanoestruturação de uma nanofolha de óxido de grafeno reduzido "envelopada" com o polímero poliesetireno sulfonado de sódio (GPSS) através de simulação computacional. Demos um primeiro passo no estudo sobre a formação das nanfolhas de GPSS, poi futuramente pretendemos estudar filmes automontados de GPSS depositados sobre uma membrana de Nafion". A motivação é melhor compreensão do mecanismo de redução da passagem de metanol e aumento da condução de íons H+ observada experimentalmente em uma célula combustível de metanol direto realizado pela Dra. Celina Miyazaki (POSMAT/UNESP). Neste trabalho, realizamos a simulação de uma nanofolha de óxido de grafeno reduzido (rGO) que se aproximasse o máximo possível daquela obtida experimentalmente, contendo defeitos (vacâncias) e os grupos químicos hidroxila, epóxido, carboxila e carbonila, resultantes da síntese química. Adicionalmente, verificamos como o rGO fica "envelopado" pelo polímero PSS, mesmo na presença de água, ocorrendo isso principalmente devido à atração eletrostática entre os oxigêncios presentes no PSS com os hidrogênios pertencentes aos grupos hidroxila e carboxila da nanofolhas de rGO. Observou-se que esse "envelopamento" é favorecido pela presença de água. Essas observações corroboram com os resultados experimentais / Abstract: We studied the nanostructuration of reduced graphene oxide nanoplatelets wapped by the polymer poly (sodium4 styrenesulfonate) (GPSS), using compational simulation. A first step was taken for the study about formation of GPSS nanoplatelets, using coputational simulation, as we intend to study in a near future a self-assembled film of GPSS deposited onto Nafion® membranes. The motivation is a better comprehension of the blocking barrier mechanism to the passage of methanol and increasing the H+ ions conductivity observed experimentally in a direct methanol fuel cell setup made by Dra Celina M. Miyazaki (POSMAT, UNESP). We have made here the simulation of a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoplatelet closer to that obtained experimentally, having defects (vacancies) and hydroxyl, epoxy, carboxyl and carbonyl chemical groups, resultant from the chemical synthesis. In addition, it was verified how rGO is surrounded by the PSS polymer, even in the presence of water, putting the system as close as possible to the experimental condition. The "enveloping" of rGO by PSS happened mainly by elestrostatic attraction between oxygen atoms present in PSS with hydrogen atoms present at hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in rGO, and it was favored by the presence of water. These observations are corroborated by the experimental results / Doutor

Orientador: José Humberto Dias da Silva / Banca: Antonio Ricardo Zanatta / Banca: Douglas Marcel Gonçalves Leite / Banca: Luís Vicente de Andrade Scalvi / Banca: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff / Resumo: Nanosestruturas de GaN destacam-se devido à baixa densidade de defeitos e consequentemente alta qualidade estrutural e óptica quando comparadas ao material em forma de filme. O entendimento dos mecanismos de formação de nanofios e nanocolunas de GaN por diferentes técnicas é fundamental do ponto de vista da ciência básica e também para o aprimoramento da fabricação de dispositivos eletrônicos e optoeletrônicos baseados nesse material.Neste trabalho discorre-se sobre a preparação e caracterização de nanofios e nanoestruturas de GaN pelas técnicas de epitaxia por magnetron sputtering e epitaxia por feixe molecular em diferentes tipos de substratos. Pela técnica de epitaxia por magnetron sputtering foram obtidos nanocristais e nanocolunas de GaN, além de uma região com camada compacta. Visando criar uma atmosfera propícia para o crescimento de nanoestruturas de GaN não coalescida, atmosfera de N2 puro e um anteparo, situado entre o alvo e o porta-substratos, foram utilizados. O anteparo causou diferença no fluxo incidente de gálio no substrato, ocasionando a formação de diferentes tipos de estruturas. A caracterização das amostras se deu principalmente através de medidas de microscopia eletrônica de varredura, difração de raios X e espectroscopia de fotoluminescência. As nanocolunas, de 220 nm de altura, foram formadas na região distante 2 mm do centro da sombra geométrica do orifício do anteparo e apresentaram orientação [001] perpendicular ao substrato, comumente encontrada ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: GaN nanowires and nanocolumns stand out due to the low defect density and high structural and optical quality compared to the corresponding thin films. The understanding of the formation mechanism of the different GaN structures using different techniques is critical to improving the manufacture of the electronic and optoelectronic devices based on this material. This thesis focuses on the preparation and characterization of GaN nanowires and nanostructures. The molecular bem epitaxy (MBE) and magnetron sputtering epitaxy (MSE) were used and different substrates were tested. Concerning GaN nanocrystals and nanocolumns obtained by MSE, optimization of the deposition conditions was necessary in order to produce non-coalesced GaN nanostructures. The best conditions were: pure N2 atmosphere, silicon substrate, and a perforated screen placed between the target and the substrate holder. The later produced differences on the Ga flow to the substrate, inducing the formation of different structures, depending on the position of growth spot. Samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Nanocolumns were observed, mainly in sites corresponding to a disc of radius 2 mm from the geometric centre of the hole. The columns were oriented with the GaN [001] axis perpendicular to the Si (111) substrate surface, situation which is commonly found in GaN nanowires deposited by MBE. Regarding the nanowires prepared by MBE techni... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / In this thesis we report on the deposition of silicon nanostructures using a 3-zone thermal chemical vapour deposition process at atmospheric pressure. Nickel and gold thin films, deposited by DC sputtering on crystalline silicon substrates, were used as the catalyst material required for vapour-solid-liquid growth mechanism of the Si nanostructures. The core of this work is centred around the effect of catalyst type, substrate temperature and the source-to-substrate distance on the structural and optical properties of the resultant Si nanostructures, using argon as the carrier gas and Si powder as the source. The morphology and internal structure of the Si nanostructures was probed by using high resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The crystallinity was measured by x-ray diffraction and the high resolution transmission electron microscopy. For composition and elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to quantify the bonding configuration, while electron energy-loss spectroscopy in conjunction with electron dispersion spectroscopy reveals the composition. Photoluminescence and UV-visible spectroscopy was used to extract the emission and reflection properties of the synthesized nanostructures.

Afin de parvenir à des rendements élevés, les cellules solaires à couches minces de silicium doivent présenter une forte absorption de la lumière. Dans ce travail, nous proposons d'utiliser des nanoparticules et nanostructures métalliques comme nouvelle approche pour piéger la lumière au sein de cellules solaires à couches minces de silicium. Les propriétés optiques spécifiques des nanoparticules métalliques sont une conséquence de l'apparition d'un phénomène de résonance dans leur spectre d'absorption et de diffusion, connu sous le nom de résonance de «plasmon localisé de surface» (LSP : localized surface plasmons). Pour des particules suffisamment petites (<50nm), l'absorption LSP est accompagnée par une forte augmentation du champ électromagnétique à l'intérieur et au voisinage des nanoparticules, La première partie de ce travail est motivée par l'exploitation de ce renforcement du champ électromagnétique, Dans cette approche, l'objectif est de confiner la lumière dans la couche active des cellules solaires. La seconde approche est basée sur la diffusion de la lumière par des nanoparticules métalliques de diamètre supérieur à 50 nm ou par des nanostructures métalliques. La section efficace de diffusion d'une nanoparticule métallique augmente rapidement avec son diamètre et atteint un maximum à l'excitation LSP. Dans ce travail, des nanoparticules de diamètres supérieur à 50 nm et des nanostructures métalliques ont été incorporées dans la partie inférieure de cellules solaires en silicium amorphe ou microcristallin / In order to achieve high efficiencies, thin-film silicon solar cells need an efficient light absorption. In this thesis, we discuss new approaches based on metal nanoparticules and metal nanostructures for light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells, The specific optical properties of metallic nanoparticles are a consequence of the appearence of a resonance in their absorption and scattering spectra, know as the localized surface plasmon( LSP) resonance. For sufficiently small particles (<50 nm), the LSP absorption is accompanied by a strong enhancement of the electromagnetic field inside and in the surrounding of the nanoparticles. The first part of this work is motivated by the utilization of this enhanced electromagnetic field. In this approach, we target to confine the light in the active layer of thin-film silicon solar cells, The second approach is based on the light scattering of large metal nanoparticles or nanostructures. The scateering cross section of metallic nanoparticules increases rapidly with their diameter and experiences a resonance at the LSP excitation. Therefore, large metal nanoparticules and metal nanostructures were integrated at the back side of thin-film silicon solar cells