Electronic and structural properties of doped carbon nanotubes and metalic nanowires confined in mesoporous ceramic matrix

Abstract

The project proposed here can be summarized as development of research activities on one-dimensional nanostructures involving the creation of a centre for X-ray and UV photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) applied for characterization of materials at the Department of Physical Chemistry of the Institute of Chemistry of the São Paulo State University. The objectives of the work are to synthetize carbon nanotubes using a CCVD system (Catalitic Chemical Vapor Deposition) and metallic nanowires by electrochemical deposition, optimization of the synthesis process and of the the nanostructural properties using techniques for structural, compositional, mechanical, thermal and electrical characterization. The aim of the investigation is to prepare highly ordered arrangements of aligned carbon nanotubes on flat substrates but also nanotubes and nanowires confined in mesoporous ceramic matrix. The intention is to use these structures to improve the understanding of quantum confinement effects in low dimensional systems and investigate carbon-ceramics and metal-ceramics nano-composits for their use as catalysts, electrochemical energy storage, electrical and thermal devices. The XPS technique, installed in the Physical Chemistry Materials Laboratory together with UPS, requested in this project, will play the central role in the characterization of structural and electronic properties of nanocomposits. Furthermore, these techniques will be also used in scientific collaborations in order to study different types of crystalline and amorphous materials such as metals, semiconductors, ceramics, glasses, polymers and organic substances. (AU)