PHYS 99 |
| An important frontier in nano-materials research concerns nanoparticles with different materials in the same nanostructure as means of increasing functionality. One particularly interesting combination of materials is that of a metal and semiconductor in the same nanoparticle where metal tips grown on a semiconductor rod can provide anchor points for electrical connections and for self assembly. We report the growth of various metals onto semiconductor dots and rods. Other growth modes of metal-semiconductor hybrid particles will be discussed. Such systems manifest a unique model for a metal-semiconductor nanoscale junction. A fundamental and intriguing problem associated with such systems is its optical and electronic properties. The electronic properties of metal-semiconductor nanojunctions were investigated by several methods including scanning tunneling spectroscopy of the gold-tipped CdSe rods and by electrostatic force microscopy. The potential use of metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles as novel photocatalysts active in the visible range will also be discussed. |
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Nanostructured Materials
8:20 AM-12:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 338/339, Oral
Division of Physical Chemistry |