Boris Polyakov

Bistable nanoelectromechanical devices

A combined transmission electron microscopy-scanning tunneling microscopy (TEM-STM) technique has been used to investigate the force interactions of silicon and germanium nanowires with gold electrodes. The I(V) data obtained typically show linear behavior between the gold electrode and silicon nanowires at all contact points, whereas the linearity of I(V) curves obtained for germanium nanowires were dependent on the point of contact. Bistable silicon and germanium nanowire-based nanoelectromechanical programmable read-only memory (NEMPROM) devices were demonstrated by TEM-STM. These nonvolatile NEMPROM devices have switching potentials as low as 1 V and are highly stable making them ideal candidates for low-leakage electronic devices.

Electric and elastic properties of conductive polymeric nanocomposites on macro- and nanoscales

Abstract In the past several years, the macroscopic electric and elastic properties of conductive polymeric composites have been studied from the viewpoint of such applications as thermistors and pressure sensors. In particular, we studied carbon black (CB) polymeric nanocomposites on macro- and nanoscales, using polyisoprene as the composite matrix. The filler component was an extra conductive carbon black (PRINTEX XE2, DEGUSSA) with a primary particle diameter of about 30 nm. A very strong reversible tensoresistive effect of electric resistance dependence on uniaxial tension deformation was observed in composites with the 10 carbon black mass parts added to 100 mass parts of polyisoprene. A conductive-type atomic force microscope (AFM) was used for the mapping of carbon black conductive network into an insulating matrix, while for studying the nanomechanical properties of composites, a tapping mode atomic force microscope was applied. A correlation between macroscopic and nanoscopic—both electric and elastic—properties was observed.

Conductive films of ordered nanowire arrays

High-density, ordered arrays of germanium nanowires have been synthesised within the pores of mesoporous thin films (MTFs) and anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) matrices using a supercritical fluid solution-phase inclusion technique. Conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) was utilised to study the electrical properties of the nanowires within these arrays. Nearly all of the semiconductor nanowires contained within the AAO substrates were found to be conducting. Additionally, each individual nanowire within the substrate possessed similar electrical properties demonstrating that the nanowires are continuous and reproducible within each pore. C-AFM was also able to probe the conductance of individual nanowires, 3–4 nm in diameter, within the MTF templates. The ability to synthesise ordered arrays of semiconducting nanowires is a key step in future ‘bottom-up’ fabrication of multi-layered device architectures for potential nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices.

Shape Restoration Effect in Ag–SiO2 Core–Shell Nanowires

The combination of two different materials in a single composite core-shell heterostructure can lead to improved or even completely novel properties. In this work we demonstrate the enhancement of the mechanical properties of silver (Ag) nanowires (NW) achieved by coating them with a silica (SiO2) shell. In situ scanning electron microscope (SEM) nanomechanical tests of Ag-SiO2 core-shell nanowires reveal an improved fracture resistance and an electron-beam induced shape restoration effect. In addition, control experiments are conducted separately on uncoated Ag NWs and on empty SiO2 shells in order to gain deeper insight into the peculiar properties of Ag-SiO2. Test conditions are simulated using finite-element methods; possible mechanisms responsible for the shape restoration and the enhanced fracture resistance are discussed.

Photoconductivity of Germanium Nanowire Arrays Incorporated in Anodic Aluminum Oxide

Photoconductivity of germanium nanowire arrays of 50 and 100 nm diameter incorporated into Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) membranes illuminated with visible light is investigated. Photocurrent response to excitation radiation with time constants faster than 10−4 s were governed by absorption of incident light by nanowires, while photokinetics with time constants of the order of 10−3 s originates from the photoluminescence of the AAO matrix. Possible applications of nanowire arrays inside AAO as photoresistors are discussed.

Crystallization processes of amorphous Si by thermal annealing and pulsed laser processing

Amorphous Si thin films deposited on oxidized crystalline Si surface (111) were crystallized by thermal annealing and nanosecond green laser pulses. The Raman scattering spectra show that thermal annealing can provide nearly fully crystallized poly-Si film. Laser crystallization of amorphous Si is more flexible crystallization method, but it is more difficult to reach high levels of crystallinity. Depth studies of laser treated samples reveal a thin amorphous-like interlayer between substrate surface and crystallized Si film.

Some aspects of formation and tribological properties of silver nanodumbbells

In this paper, metal nanodumbbells (NDs) formed by laser-induced melting of Ag nanowires (NWs) on an oxidized silicon substrate and their tribological properties are investigated. The mechanism of ND formation is proposed and illustrated with finite element method simulations. Tribological measurements consist in controllable real-time manipulation of NDs inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with simultaneous force registration. The geometry of NDs enables to distinguish between different types of motion, i.e. rolling, sliding and rotation. Real contact areas are calculated from the traces left after the displacement of NDs and compared to the contact areas predicted by the contact mechanics and frozen droplet models.PACS81.07.-b; 62.25.-g; 62.23.Hj

Work function of colloidal semiconducting nanocrystals measured by Kelvin probe

Colloidal suspensions of CdS, PbS, Cu2S, Ag2S and ZnO nanocrystals were prepared by chemical route in presence of organic capping ligands. The formation of nanocrystals was studied by using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Kelvin probe measurements of work function were performed on nanocrystals thin film on ITO (indium tin oxide) coated glass.

Semiconducting Nanowires: Properties and Architectures

The paper describes the use of an in-situ microscopy technique, which combines transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with scanning probe microscopy (SPM), to investigate the electrical and mechanical properties of individual silicon and germanium nanowires. Additionally, the formation of ordered arrays of size-monodisperse silicon and germanium nanowires within mesoporous silica powders and thin films using a supercritical fluid inclusion phase technique is described. In particular, we demonstrate ultra high-density arrays of germanium nanowires, up to 2 x 1012 wires per square centimetre. These matric embedded nano-composite materials display unique optical properties such as intense room temperature ultraviolet and visible photoluminescence.

Mechanical properties of sol–gel derived SiO2 nanotubes

Summary The mechanical properties of thick-walled SiO2 nanotubes (NTs) prepared by a sol–gel method while using Ag nanowires (NWs) as templates were measured by using different methods. In situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) cantilever beam bending tests were carried out by using a nanomanipulator equipped with a force sensor in order to investigate plasticity and flexural response of NTs. Nanoindentation and three point bending tests of NTs were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) under ambient conditions. Half-suspended and three-point bending tests were processed in the framework of linear elasticity theory. Finite element method simulations were used to extract Young’s modulus values from the nanoindentation data. Finally, the Young’s moduli of SiO2 NTs measured by different methods were compared and discussed.