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High Aspect Ratio (high + aspect_ratio)
Selected AbstractsPolymer Films Composed of Surface-Bound Nanofilaments with a High Aspect Ratio, Molecularly Imprinted with Small Molecules and ProteinsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2009Ana Valvanuz Linares Abstract Hierarchically nanostructured materials that combine two or more levels of structuring and that exhibit a combination of useful features have gained considerable interest over recent years. Here, the generation of surface-bound nanofilaments with a high aspect ratio by nanomolding on a nanoporous template surface is described. The filaments, at the same time, carry molecularly imprinted binding sites. The dye fluorescein and the protein myoglobin are used as model templates for imprinting. The surfaces exhibit specific binding as revealed by fluorescence microscopy. The wetting properties of the surfaces depend on the dimensions of the nanofilaments and on the nature of the polymer. It is believed that these materials can potentially be useful for applications in biosensors and biochips. [source] Ultrathin Te Nanowires: An Excellent Platform for Controlled Synthesis of Ultrathin Platinum and Palladium Nanowires/Nanotubes with Very High Aspect RatioADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 18 2009Hai-Wei Liang Uniform ultrathin Pt nanotubes, Pt and Pd nanowires with diameters of only several nanometers and a very-high aspect ratio of ,10,000 can be fabricated using ultrathin Te nanowires as both reducing agent and sacrificial template in ethylene glycol. The valences of metal precursors have a crucial effect on the morphology of the nanostructures. [source] Fabrication of Metal Nanohole Arrays with High Aspect Ratios Using Two-Step Replication of Anodic Porous AluminaADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 18 2005T. Yanagishita Metal nanohole arrays with straight holes of high aspect ratio have been fabricated using a new replication process based on the preparation of polymer pillars, both sides of which are supported and can therefore be maintained upright. These nanopillar arrays are demonstrated as negatives for the preparation of metal (Ni) nanohole arrays (see Figure). [source] Polymer Films Composed of Surface-Bound Nanofilaments with a High Aspect Ratio, Molecularly Imprinted with Small Molecules and ProteinsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2009Ana Valvanuz Linares Abstract Hierarchically nanostructured materials that combine two or more levels of structuring and that exhibit a combination of useful features have gained considerable interest over recent years. Here, the generation of surface-bound nanofilaments with a high aspect ratio by nanomolding on a nanoporous template surface is described. The filaments, at the same time, carry molecularly imprinted binding sites. The dye fluorescein and the protein myoglobin are used as model templates for imprinting. The surfaces exhibit specific binding as revealed by fluorescence microscopy. The wetting properties of the surfaces depend on the dimensions of the nanofilaments and on the nature of the polymer. It is believed that these materials can potentially be useful for applications in biosensors and biochips. [source] Nucleation-Governed Reversible Self-Assembly of an Organic Semiconductor at Surfaces: Long-Range Mass Transport Forming Giant Functional Fibers,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2007G. De, Luca Abstract The use of solvent-vapor annealing (SVA) to form millimeter-long crystalline fibers, having a sub-micrometer cross section, on various solid substrates is described. Thin films of a perylene-bis(dicarboximide) (PDI) derivative, with branched alkyl chains, prepared from solution exhibit hundreds of nanometer-sized PDI needles. Upon exposure to the vapors of a chosen solvent, tetrahydrofuran (THF), the needles re-organize into long fibers that have a remarkably high aspect ratio, exceeding 103. Time- and space-resolved mapping with optical microscopy allows the self-assembly mechanism to be unravelled; the mechanism is found to be a nucleation-governed growth, which complies with an Avrami-type of mechanism. SVA is found to lead to self-assembly featuring i),long-range order (up to the millimeter scale), ii),reversible characteristics, as demonstrated through a series of assembly and disassembly steps, obtained by cycling between THF and CHCl3 as solvents, iii),remarkably high mass transport because the PDI molecular motion is found to occur at least over hundreds of micrometers. Such a detailed understanding of the growth process is fundamental to control the formation of self-assembled architectures with pre-programmed structures and physical properties. The versatility of the SVA approach is proved by its successful application using different substrates and solvents. Kelvin probe force microscopy reveals that the highly regular and thermodynamically stable fibers of PDI obtained by SVA exhibit a greater electron-accepting character than the smaller needles of the drop-cast films. The giant fibers can be grown in,situ in the gap between microscopic electrodes supported on SiOx, paving the way towards the application of SVA in micro- and nanoelectronics. [source] Co3O4 Nanostructures with Different Morphologies and their Field-Emission Properties,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2007B. Varghese Abstract We report an efficient method to synthesize vertically aligned Co3O4 nanostructures on the surface of cobalt foils. This synthesis is accomplished by simply heating the cobalt foils in the presence of oxygen gas. The resultant morphologies of the nanostructures can be tailored to be either one-dimensional nanowires or two-dimensional nanowalls by controlling the reactivity and the diffusion rate of the oxygen species during the growth process. A possible growth mechanism governing the formation of such nanostructures is discussed. The field-emission properties of the as-synthesized nanostructures are investigated in detail. The turn-on field was determined to be 6.4 and 7.7,V,,m,1 for nanowires and nanowalls, respectively. The nanowire samples show superior field-emission characteristics with a lower turn-on field and higher current density because of their sharp tip geometry and high aspect ratio. [source] Free-Standing All-Nanoparticle Thin Fibers: A Novel Nanostructure Bridging Zero- and One-Dimensional Nanoscale Features,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Jia Yan Zero-dimensional nanoparticle structures have a prominent role as building blocks for complex assemblies. However, major barriers to the construction of 1D assemblies using 0D elements exist. The fabrication of free-standing all-nanoparticles thin fibers is presented, where the fibers have a uniform diameter (1.5,µm) and a high aspect ratio (length/diameter , 2500). [source] Size-Dependence and Elasticity of Liquid-Crystalline Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 16 2008Wenhui Song Profound size-effects of liquid-crystalline microstructures of multiwalled carbon nanotube dispersions are reported. The figure shows that nanotubes behave like rigid rods in the case of a low aspect ratio; however, they behave as flexible beams that deform easily following the local orientation in a liquid crystalline field if they are thin and/or long with a relatively high aspect ratio. [source] Novel Structural Modulation in Ceramic Sensors Via Redox Processing in Gas BuffersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Abdul-Majeed Azad High selectivity, enhanced sensitivity, short response time, and long shelf-life are some of the key features sought in the solid-state ceramic-based chemical sensors. As the sensing mechanism and catalytic activity are predominantly surface-dominated, benign surface features in terms of small grain size, large surface area, high aspect ratio and, open and connected porosity, are required to realize a successful material. In order to incorporate these morphological features, a technique based on rigorous thermodynamic consideration of the metal/metal oxide coexistence is described. By modulating the oxygen partial pressure across the equilibrium M/MO proximity line, formation and growth of new oxide surface on an atomic/submolecular level under conditions of "oxygen deprivation," with exotic morphological features, has been achieved in potential sensor materials. This paper describes the methodology and discusses the results obtained in the case of potential semiconducting ceramic oxide-based carbon monoxide and hydrogen sensors with enhanced characteristics. [source] Fabrication of Polyimide-Blend Thin Films Containing Uniformly Oriented Silver Nanorods and Their Use as Flexible, Linear PolarizersADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 18 2005S. Matsuda Fully aromatic polyimide films containing uniformly oriented Ag nanorods (see Figure) have been prepared by a simple method consisting of thermal curing and uniaxial drawing of submicrometer-scale phase-separated polyimide-blend films containing dissolved AgNO3. The films exhibit outstanding optical dichroism, over 20,dB (see inset), in the near-IR region due to the high aspect ratio of the nanorods and the high transparency of the matrix. [source] Fabrication of Metal Nanohole Arrays with High Aspect Ratios Using Two-Step Replication of Anodic Porous AluminaADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 18 2005T. Yanagishita Metal nanohole arrays with straight holes of high aspect ratio have been fabricated using a new replication process based on the preparation of polymer pillars, both sides of which are supported and can therefore be maintained upright. These nanopillar arrays are demonstrated as negatives for the preparation of metal (Ni) nanohole arrays (see Figure). [source] The Combination of Colloid-Controlled Heterogeneous Nucleation and Polymer-Controlled Crystallization: Facile Synthesis of Separated, Uniform High-Aspect-Ratio Single-Crystalline BaCrO4 NanofibersADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 2 2003S.-H. Yu Uniform, separated BaCrO4 single-crystalline nanofibers with high aspect ratio (>,5000, see Figure) can be fabricated at room temperature in aqueous solution using a double hydrophilic block copolymer as structure-directing agent and introducing colloidal nucleation agents. Such fibers represent a model case for advanced polymer fillers and the exploration of quasi-1D nanostructures with interesting electrical, optical, or catalytic properties. [source] Ordered Arrays of Nanopillars Formed by Photoelectrochemical Etching on Directly Imprinted TiO2 Single CrystalsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 2 2003H. Masuda Arrays of TiO2 nanopillars have been prepared by photochemically etching a TiO2 single crystal that had been previously imprinted with a corresponding array of dimples using SiC molds. The pillars have a high aspect ratio (see scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image in Figure) and the method is simple and suitable for high-throughput production. [source] Efficient utilization of plastic waste through product design and process adaptation: A case study on stiffness enhancement of beams produced from plastic lumberADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Cristian Pio Abstract The aim of the present work is the development of a method for structural reinforcement of beams obtained by in-mold extrusion of plastics from solid urban waste. The beams obtained by in-mold extrusion are commonly used for outdoor furniture and structures. The material used for such applications is mainly composed of low-density polyethylene derived from bags and films, with small amounts of high density polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as traces of polyethylene terephthalate. This material is usually referred to as "plastic lumber." Plastic lumber products have a low stiffness, which results in high deflections under flexural loads, particularly under creep loading. In this study, reinforcing rods of high aspect ratio were incorporated into plastic lumber beams in specific positions with respect to the cross section of the beam. The reinforcement of the plastic lumber beams with fine rods is introduced in the typical intrusion process used for the production of unreinforced beams. Glass fiber reinforced pultruded rods were chosen for this purpose from a preliminary evaluation of different materials. Different diameter glass fiber reinforced pultruded rods, including surface-abraded systems to increase the roughness, were used for the reinforcement of plastic lumber beams. The reinforced beams were tested in terms of flexural stiffness, creep resistance, and pullout resistance of the embedded rods. The results obtained from the mechanical tests showed a significant enhancement of flexural stiffness and creep resistance behavior. The performance at higher stress levels was shown to be significantly dependent on the interfacial adhesion between rods and polymer matrix. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 27:133,142, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20131 [source] Carboxylated multiwall carbon nanotube-reinforced thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer nanocompositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008Sang Ki Park Abstract Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP) nanocomposites reinforced with carboxylated multiwall carbon nanotube (c-MWCNT) were prepared through melt compounding in a twin screw extruder. The thermal stability of TLCP/c-MWCNT nanocomposites increased with even a small amount of c-MWCNT added. The rheological properties of the TLCP/c-MWCNT nanocomposites were depended on the c-MWCNT contents. The contents of c-MWCNT have a slight effect on the complex viscosity of TLCP/c-MWCNT nanocomposites due to the high-shear thinning of TLCP. The storage modulus of TLCP/c-MWCNT nanocomposites was increased with increasing c-MWCNT content. This result can be deduced that the nanotube,nanotube interactions were more dominant, and some interconnected or network-like structures were formed in the TLCP/c-MWCNT nanocomposites. Incorporation of very small amount of c-MWCNT improved the mechanical properties of TLCP/c-MWCNT nanocomposites, and this was attributed to the reinforcement effect of c-MWCNT with high aspect ratio and their uniform dispersion through acid treatment in the TLCP matrix. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Synthesis and characterization of photopatternable epoxy hybrid materials for the fabrication of thick and thermally stable microstructures with a high aspect ratioJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2008Kyung Ho Jung Abstract Photosensitive cycloaliphatic-epoxy oligosiloxane was synthesized using a nonhydrolytic sol,gel reaction for the fabrication of thick and thermally stable microstructures with high aspect ratios. Its formation was confirmed by 29Si and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, small-angle neutron scattering, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Photocuring of cycloaliphatic-epoxy oligosiloxane resin resulted in a thermally stable epoxy hybrid material (epoxy hybrimer). Micropatterns with a high aspect ratio (>5), an excellent sidewall shape, and low shrinkage were fabricated directly from these materials using a simple photolithographic process. The fabricated micropattern sustained temperatures of up to 250°C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Electron Field Emission and Photoluminescence of Anatase Nanotube ArraysJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 12 2008Yang Yang TiO2 nanotube arrays with a high aspect ratio were grown on conductive Ti substrates by anodization in an organic electrolyte. The as-prepared TiO2 nanotubes were vertically grown and adhered well to the substrates. The photoluminescence spectrum and X-ray diffraction showed that the crystal structure of the postannealed TiO2 nanotube arrays was oxygen-defective anatase. This kind of anatase nanotube arrays exhibited efficient electron field emission even at room temperature with a low applied electric field of ,9 V/,m. The emission current exceeded 70 ,A/cm2 at an extraction voltage of 700 V. [source] Controlling the Size and Morphology of TiO2 Powder by Molten and Solid Salt SynthesisJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 8 2008Banasri Roy Nano and submicrometer scale titanium oxide (TiO2) powders were synthesized by solid and molten salt synthesis (SSS and MSS) from amorphous titanium hydroxide precipitate. Sodium chloride (NaCl) and dibasic sodium phosphate (Na2HPO4·2H2O, DSP) separately or as mixture with different weight ratios were used as the salts. At the eutectic salt composition (20% DSP/80% NaCl), the microstructure and phase composition of the TiO2 was changed from equiaxed nanoparticles of anatase with size ,40,50 nm, to mixed microstructure of bundle and acicular particles of rutile with 0.05,0.2 ,m diameter, 6,10 ,m length, and aspect ratio 20,60 depending on treatment time and temperature. At high temperature (825°C) and long time (30 h), microstructural differences were significant for the powders treated with different salts. Particle morphologies ranged from equiaxed, to acicular, to bundles, to nanofibers with very high aspect ratio. At lower treatment temperature (725°C) for shorter time (3 h), the morphology of the products did not change with different salt compositions, but the crystallite sizes changed appreciably. Different starting titanium precursors influenced particle size at lower temperature and time. Titanium hydroxide heat treated without salt resulted in significant grain growth and fused secondary particles, as compared with more finely separated and lightly agglomerated powders resulting from SSS and MSS treatments. [source] Creep Resistant Polymer Nanocomposites Reinforced with Multiwalled Carbon NanotubesMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 8 2007Jinglei Yang Abstract Poly(propylene) (PP) nanocomposites filled with shorter- and longer-aspect-ratio multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were compounded using a twin-screw extruder and an injection moulding machine. It is shown that with only 1 vol.-% of MWNTs, creep resistance of PP can be significantly improved with reduced creep deformation and creep rate at a long-term loading period. Additionally, the creep lifetime of the nanocomposites has been considerably extended by 1,000% compared to that of a neat PP. Three possible mechanisms of load transfer were considered that could contribute to the observed enhancement of creep resistance, which are: (1) fairly good interfacial strength between MWNTs and polymer matrix, (2) increasing immobility of amorphous regions due to nanotubes acting as restriction sites, and (3) high aspect ratio of MWNTs. DSC results showing crystallinity changes in the specimens before and after creep deformation present evidence to confirm these mechanisms. Our results should lead to improved grades of creep resistant polymer nanocomposites for engineering applications. [source] In-situ synthesis of transparent and conductive carbon nanotube networksPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI - RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS, Issue 4 2007Márcio D. Lima Abstract A method for the production of transparent carbon nanotube networks (CNTNs) over transparent substrates was developed. In this method, CNTNs were grown directly in the target surface by applying the catalyst in specific zones of the substrate through lithographic techniques. The networks can be also transferred from the original substrate to other surfaces. The newly grown carbon nanotubes have a very high aspect ratio (>50000). Thus far, networks with an optical transmittance of 94% at 550 nm and a surface resistivity of 3.6 k,/sq have been produced. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Phase contrast X-ray imaging of large samples using an incoherent laboratory sourcePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 8 2007C. Kottler Abstract An interferometric method to record quantitative X-ray phase contrast images has been developed that can be used at polychromatic and incoherent X-ray sources such as laboratory tubes. With respect to previously presented results, in this work we report on recent developments and results that have been achieved in view of potential future applications such as in medicine or biology. In particular, due to improvements in the fabrication process large area diffraction gratings with high aspect ratio were achieved. Thereby, the field of view of the interferometer has been drastically increased to 64 × 64 mm2 and the design value of the photon energy for the gratings could be increased up to 28 keV. Moreover, the use of a Medipix2 single photon-counting pixel detector shows a considerable improvement in image quality and sensitivity over the integrating detector used so far. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Morphology control of GaN nanowires by vapor-liquid-solid growthPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 9 2008Y. Inoue Abstract We synthesized GaN nanowires on sapphire substrate by metal organic chemical vapour deposition. The GaN nanowires were grown via vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth catalyzed with Ni thin film. Shape of nanowires depended on the substrate temperature and the growth pressure. The wire-like structure with high aspect ratio changed into the tapered structure with increasing substrate temperature, and with increasing the growth pressure. This dependency was attributed to the change of the surface diffusion length of source atoms. The VLS growth of GaN nanowire was revealed that the source species, absorbed at the eutectic droplet, came along the side wall of the nanowire as well as other semiconductor nanowires. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Use of different alkylammonium salts in clay surface modification for epoxy-based nanocompositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 3 2009G. Ipek Nakas Layered silicates become widely used reinforcement material in the polymer nanocomposite production in recent years due to their high aspect ratio, ease of processing, and low cost. In this present study, the aim was to evaluate the usability of a raw clay source (Resadiye, Turkey) in the production of epoxy/clay nanocomposites and to investigate the effects of different surface modifiers. For this purpose, raw Na,montmorillonite clay was first purified and then surface modified by using different types of alkylammonium salts: tetramethyl ammonium bromide, benzyl triethyl ammonium bromide, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, and octadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. Purification and surface modification of this clay were evaluated by using the following analyses; X-ray diffraction (XRD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), particle size distribution, and dissolved organic content. These analyses simply indicated that surface modification increased both interlayer spacing between the silicate layers and CEC of the clay. These improvements were directly proportional with the chain length of the surface modifier. Nanocomposite specimens were produced by adding 0.5 wt% surface modified clay into the epoxy matrix. These specimens were characterized by XRD, Si-mapping facility of SEM, and mechanical tests. XRD results indicated an exfoliated structure whereas Si-mapping showed the uniform distribution of clay particles in epoxy, leading to improved mechanical properties, for instance more than 100% increase in fracture toughness of the neat epoxy specimen. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] New nanocomposite materials made of an insulating matrix and conducting fillers: Processing and propertiesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 2 2000L. Flandin The work described in this paper deals with the preparation and the characterization of an homogeneous composite material composed of electrically conductive fillers dispersed in a thermoplastic insulating matrix. These fillers were chosen to have either a spherical shape or a high aspect ratio. Processing of these conductive polypyrrole particles, which were obtained either through a classical polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of stabilizer, or polymerization onto the surface of cellulose monocrystals is detailed. The relationship of filler content in the composite to electrical and mechanical properties was investigated. In order to characterize the connectivity of the fillers in the matrix, electrical measurements were performed and these results have been compared with the predictions of the statistical percolation theory. Further analysis was undertaken by considering the influence of the network of rigid particles on the viscoelastic properties of the composites. These results were compared with two models; first, with a mechanical percolation approach which was based on strong interactions between fillers, and second, with a mean field model, which in no way accounted for interactions bewteen fillers. In recent developments, it has been shown that these materials used as coating on various substrate could be good sensors, allowing to determine some specific features of the substrate deformation. [source] Solid-state linear viscoelastic properties of intercalated poly(L -lactide)/organo-modified montmorillonite hybridsPOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2006Pham Hoai Nam Abstract Hybrids of poly(L -lactide)/organophilic clay (PLACHs) have been prepared by a melt-compounding process using poly(L -lactide) (PLLA) and different contents of surface-treated montmorillonite modified with a dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium salt. The dispersion structures of clay particles in PLACHs were investigated using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The solid-state linear viscoelastic properties for these PLACHs were examined as functions of temperature and frequency. The incorporation of organo-modified silicate into PLLA matrix enhanced significantly both storage moduli (E,) and loss moduli (E,). The strong enhancement observed in dynamic moduli of PLACHs could be attributed to uniformly dispersed state of the clay particles with high aspect ratio (= length/thickness of clay) and the intercalation of the PLLA chains between silicate layers. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Recrystallization and Shape Control of Crystals of the Organic Dye Acid Green 27 in a Mixed SolventCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 5 2007Huai-Ping Cong Abstract Recrystallization of the unstructured dye acid green 27 (AG27) in a mixed solvent of alcohol (ethanol or methanol) and water was systematically studied. The results demonstrated that AG27 crystals with uniform sizes and controllable shapes can be produced by simply changing the volume ratio of ethanol (or methanol) and deionized water (DIW). Rodlike and shuttlelike AG27 crystals can be selectively synthesized. The XRD analyses revealed the periodic structures of the organic crystals. Furthermore, crystallization in another mixed solvent of N,N -dimethylformamide (DMF) and DIW results in the formation of longer fibers with high aspect ratio, which further validates the remarkable effects of mixed solvent on the shape of the AG27 crystals. This method of recrystallization in a mixed solvent is expected to facilitate the synthesis of other functional organic crystals with unusual shapes. [source] The Effect of Nanoparticle Shape on the Photocarrier Dynamics and Photovoltaic Device Performance of Poly(3-hexylthiophene):CdSe Nanoparticle Bulk Heterojunction Solar CellsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2010Smita Dayal Abstract The charge separation and transport dynamics in CdSe nanoparticle:poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) blends are reported as a function of the shape of the CdSe-nanoparticle electron acceptor (dot, rod, and tetrapod). For optimization of organic photovoltaic device performance it is crucial to understand the role of various nanostructures in the generation and transport of charge carriers. The sample processing conditions are carefully controlled to eliminate any processing-related effects on the carrier generation and on device performance with the aim of keeping the conjugated polymer phase constant and only varying the shape of the inorganic nanoparticle acceptor phase. The electrodeless, flash photolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity (FP-TRMC) technique is used and the results are compared to the efficiency of photovoltaic devices that incorporate the same active layer. It is observed that in nanorods and tetrapods blended with P3HT, the high aspect ratios provide a pathway for the electrons to move away from the dissociation site even in the absence of an applied electric field, resulting in enhanced carrier lifetimes that correlate to increased efficiencies in devices. The processing conditions that yield optimum performance in high aspect ratio CdSe nanoparticles blended with P3HT result in poorly performing quantum dot CdSe:P3HT devices, indicating that the latter devices are inherently limited by the absence of the dimensionality that allows for efficient, prolonged charge separation at the polymer:CdSe interface. [source] A General Electrochemical Strategy for Synthesizing Charge-Transfer Complex Micro/NanowiresADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 8 2010Liang Ren Abstract Universal strategies for synthesizing one-dimensional organic nanomaterials are of fundamental importance in the development of more flexible, cheaper and lighter electronics. Charge-transfer (CT) complexes, the major kind of organic conductors, are in the long-term attractive materials owing to their unique crystal structures and conductive properties. In this article, a general strategy for the synthesis of CT complex micro/nanowires based on the localized nanoelectrochemistry using tiny carbon nanotube (CNT) electrodes is presented. This strategy is successfully demonstrated over 12 typical CT complexes, and a general rule for the preparation of various kinds of CT complex micro/nanowires is summarized. The CT complex micro/nanowires thus synthesized have high aspect ratios and long lengths as compared with traditional macroscopic planar electrodes, originating from the one-dimensional structural feature with fewer or no defects and the ultrasmall surface area of the CNT. This work provides a more versatile material basis for the fundamental and application studies of low-dimensional organic conductor materials. [source] Flow-substrate interactions create and mediate leaf litter resource patches in streamsFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006TRENT M. HOOVER Summary 1. The roles that streambed geometry, channel morphology, and water velocity play in the retention and subsequent breakdown of leaf litter in small streams were examined by conducting a series of field and laboratory experiments. 2. In the first experiment, conditioned red alder (Alnus rubra Bongard) leaves were released individually in three riffles and three pools in a second-order stream. The transport distance of each leaf was measured. Several channel and streambed variables were measured at each leaf settlement location and compared with a similar number of measurements taken at regular intervals along streambed transects (,reference locations'). Channel features (such as water depth) and substrate variables (including stone height, stone height-to-width ratio, and relative protrusion) were the most important factors in leaf retention. 3. In the second experiment, the role of settlement location and reach type in determining the rate of leaf litter breakdown was examined by placing individual conditioned red alder leaves in exposed and sheltered locations (on the upper and lower edges of the upstream face of streambed stones, respectively) in riffle and pool habitats. After 10 days, percent mass remaining of each leaf was measured. Generally, leaves broke down faster in pools than in riffles. However, the role of exposure in breakdown rate differed between reach types (exposed pool > sheltered pool > sheltered riffle > exposed riffle). 4. In the third experiment, the importance of substrate geometry on leaf litter retention was examined by individually releasing artificial leaves upstream of a series of substrate models of varying shape. Substrates with high-angle upstream faces (were vertical or close to vertical), and that had high aspect ratios (were tall relative to their width), retained leaves more effectively. 5. These results show that streambed morphology is an important factor in leaf litter retention and breakdown. Interactions between substrate and flow characteristics lead to the creation of detrital resource patchiness, and may partition leaf litter inputs between riffles and pools in streams at baseflow conditions. [source] Near-Bulk Conductivity of Gold Nanowires as Nanoscale Interconnects and the Role of Atomically Smooth InterfaceADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 21 2010Kevin Critchley Atomically smooth gold nanowires with high aspect ratios are grown using the seeded growth process. This allows control of the diameter of the nanowires to a high degree of precision. Two and four-probe nanoscale transport measurements reveal that the nanowires have low resistivity. Only a small increase in resistivity is observed between diameters of 29,nm and 185,nm suggesting that surface scattering is only a small contribution. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||