The Use of Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in Corrosion Inhibitor Studies

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - Dynamic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (DEIS) has been used as an effective method for determining information about corrosion and...     

Rapid synthesis of aligned zinc oxide nanowires

A solution growth approach for zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires is highly appealing because of the low growth temperature and possibility for large area synthesis. Reported reaction times for ZnO nanowire synthesis, however, are long, spanning from several hours to days. In this work, we report on the rapid synthesis of ZnO nanowires on various substrates (such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), silicon and glass) using a commercially available microwave oven. The average growth rate of our nanowires is determined to be as high as 100?nm?min(-1), depending on the microwave power. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed a defect-free single-crystalline lattice of the nanowires. A detailed analysis of the growth characteristics of ZnO nanowires as functions of growth time and microwave power is reported. Our work demonstrates the possibility of a fast synthesis route using microwave heating for nanomaterials synthesis.     

Transparent, highly flexible, all nanowire network germanium photodetectors

We report on the fabrication and characterization of all nanowire (NW) network photodetectors. For this purpose, germanium (Ge) NW networks are used as active semiconducting elements, whereas single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) and silver (Ag) NW networks are used as the contacts. Following their synthesis, all NW networks are deposited through simple solution based methods. Photoresponse characteristics and transparency of the photodetectors for different Ge NW densities are measured. The fabricated devices show a large response with short relaxation times (<10 ms), are flexible and transparent within the visible spectrum.     

Nanowires for energy generation

As a result of their morphology, nanowires bring new properties and the promise of performance for a range of electronic devices. This review looks into the properties of nanowires and the multiple ways in which they have been exploited for energy generation, from photovoltaics to piezoelectric generators.     

Design criteria for transparent single-wall carbon nanotube thin-film transistors

A study based on two-dimensional percolation theory yielding quantitative parameters for optimum connectivity of transparent single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) thin films is reported. Optimum SWNT concentration in the filtrated solution was found to be 0.1 mg/L with a volume of 30 mL. Such parameters lead to SWNT fractions in the films of approximately Phi = 1.8 x 10(-3), much below the metallic percolation threshold, which is found to be approximately PhiC = 5.5 x 10(-3). Therefore, the performance of transparent carbon nanotube thin-film transistors is limited by the metallic SWNTs, even below their percolation threshold. We show how this effect is related to hopping or tunneling between neighboring metallic tubes.