Andrew Vance

Color Detection Using Chromophore-Nanotube Hybrid Devices

We present a nanoscale color detector based on a single-walled carbon nanotube functionalized with azobenzene chromophores, where the chromophores serve as photoabsorbers and the nanotube as the electronic read-out. By synthesizing chromophores with specific absorption windows in the visible spectrum and anchoring them to the nanotube surface, we demonstrate the controlled detection of visible light of low intensity in narrow ranges of wavelengths. Our measurements suggest that upon photoabsorption, the chromophores isomerize from the ground state trans configuration to the excited state cis configuration, accompanied by a large change in dipole moment, changing the electrostatic environment of the nanotube. All-electron ab initio calculations are used to study the chromophore-nanotube hybrids and show that the chromophores bind strongly to the nanotubes without disturbing the electronic structure of either species. Calculated values of the dipole moments support the notion of dipole changes as the optical detection mechanism.

Microwave conductance spectra of single-walled carbon nanotube arrays

Complex conductance spectra of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) arrays have been measured from 0.1 to 50 GHz at temperatures between 4 and 293 K. Using purely capacitive contacts to separate contact effects from the NTs’ response, the intrinsic SWCNT array conductance increased with frequency as fs with exponent s=0.67±0.08 regardless of array size and temperature. The spectra are consistent with the behavior found in many strongly inhomogeneous electronic systems. The origin of disorder in these arrays is likely topological rather than energetic.

Final LDRD Report: Advanced Plastic Scintillators for Neutron Detection

This report summarizes the results of a one-year, feasibility-scale LDRD project that was conducted with the goal of developing new plastic scintillators capable of pulse shape discrimination (PSD) for neutron detection. Copolymers composed of matrix materials such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and blocks containing trans-stilbene (tSB) as the scintillator component were prepared and tested for gamma/neutron response. Block copolymer synthesis utilizing tSBMA proved unsuccessful so random copolymers containing up to 30% tSB were prepared. These copolymers were found to function as scintillators upon exposure to gamma radiation; however, they did not exhibit PSD when exposed to a neutron source. This project, while falling short of its ultimate goal, demonstrated the possible utility of single-component, undoped plastics as scintillators for applications that do not require PSD.

(E)-2-{Eth-yl[4-(4-nitro-phenyl-diazen-yl)phen-yl]amino}ethyl anthracene-9-carboxyl-ate.

The crystal structure of the title compound, C31H26N4O4, displays a trans conformation for the nitrophenyldiazenyl portion of the molecule. Packing diagrams indicate that weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, likely associated with a strong dipole moment present in the molecule, dictate the arrangement of molecules in the crystal structure.

(E)-4-[(4-Nitro­phen­yl)diazen­yl]phenyl anthracene-9-carboxyl­ate

In the title compound, C27H17N3O4, the azo group displays a trans conformation and the dihedral angles between the central benzene ring and the pendant anthracene and nitrobenzene rings are 82.94 (7) and 7.30 (9)°, respectively. In the crystal structure, weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, likely associated with a dipole moment present on the molecule, help to consolidate the packing.

LDRD final report : chromophore-functionalized aligned carbon nanotube arrays.

The goal of this project was to expand upon previously demonstrated single carbon nanotube devices by preparing a more practical, multi-single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) device. As a late-start, proof-of-concept project, the work focused on the fabrication and testing of chromophore-functionalized aligned SWNT field effect transistors (SWNT-FET). Such devices have not yet been demonstrated. The advantages of fabricating aligned SWNT devices include increased device cross-section to improve sensitivity to light, elimination of increased electrical resistance at nanotube junctions in random mat devices, and the ability to model device responses. The project did not achieve the goal of fabricating and testing chromophore-modified SWNT arrays, but a new SWNT growth capability was established that will benefit future projects. Although the ultimate goal of fabricating and testing chromophore-modified SWNT arrays was not achieved, the work did lead to a new carbon nanotube growth capability at Sandia/CA. The synthesis of dense arrays of horizontally aligned SWNTs is a developing area of research with significant potential for new discoveries. In particular, the ability to prepare arrays of carbon nanotubes of specific electronic types (metallic or semiconducting) could yield new classes of nanoscale devices.

LDRD final report : energy conversion using chromophore-functionalized carbon nanotubes.

With the goal of studying the conversion of optical energy to electrical energy at the nanoscale, we developed and tested devices based on single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with azobenzene chromophores, where the chromophores serve as photoabsorbers and the nanotube as the electronic read-out. By synthesizing chromophores with specific absorption windows in the visible spectrum and anchoring them to the nanotube surface, we demonstrated the controlled detection of visible light of low intensity in narrow ranges of wavelengths. Our measurements suggested that upon photoabsorption, the chromophores isomerize to give a large change in dipole moment, changing the electrostatic environment of the nanotube. All-electron ab initio calculations were used to study the chromophore-nanotube hybrids, and show that the chromophores bind strongly to the nanotubes without disturbing the electronic structure of either species. Calculated values of the dipole moments supported the notion of dipole changes as the optical detection mechanism.