Hareesh Dondapati

Energy harvesting in semiconductor-insulator-semiconductor junctions through excitation of surface plasmon polaritons

We have demonstrated a simple approach for developing a photovoltaic device consisting of semiconductor-insulator-semiconductor (SIS) heterojunction using surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) generated in one of the semiconductors (Al:ZnO) and propagated through the dielectric barrier (SiO2) to other (Si). This robust architecture based on surface plasmon excitation within an SIS device that produces power based on spatial confinement of electron excitation through plasmon absorption in Al:ZnO in a broad spectrum of visible to infrared wavelengths enhancing the photovoltaic activities. This finding suggests a range of applications for photovoltaics, sensing, waveguides, and others using SPPs enhancement on semiconductors without using noble metals.

Enhanced photocurrent in solution processed electronically coupled CdSe nanocrystals thin films

We have demonstrated the fabrication of highly continuous and smooth CdSe semiconductor films containing self-assembled nanocrystals (NCs) using a simple, low cost solution-processed deposition technique. The impact of thermal annealing and ethanedithiol (EDT) treatment on oleate capped CdSe NCs films is illustrated. Post deposition EDT treatment enhances strong electron coupling between NCs by reducing the inter-particle distance, which enhances four orders of magnitude of photocurrent in the pn-device. Mild thermal annealing of NC films cause large redshift and significant broadening. Our findings suggest that NCs with short-range organic ligands are suitable for high-performance Thin-Film-Transistors and next generation high-efficiency photovoltaics.

Al-doped ZnO aligned nanorod arrays: significant implications for optic and opto-electronic applications

We investigated the optical and optoelectronic properties of vertically aligned Al:ZnO nanorod arrays synthesized by the hydrothermal technique at a considerably low temperature on a sputtered Al:ZnO seed layer. The nanorod arrays maintained remarkable alignment along the c-axis over a large area. The seed layers and nanorod arrays showed various optical band gaps. Investigation of the optoelectronic properties of nanorod arrays on Al∶ZnO∕p-Si seed layer with SiO2 revealed that the photocurrent is significantly reduced in nanorod arrays on a AZO∕SiO2∕p-Si heterojunction due to multiple scattering phenomena associated with nanorod arrays. This research may open up venues for various optical and opto-electronic applications where highly aligned nanostructures are desired.

High-performance chemical-bath deposited CdS thin-film transistors with ZrO2 gate dielectric

We demonstrate high performance chemical bath deposited CdS thin-film transistors (TFTs) using atomic layer deposited ZrO2 based high-k gate dielectric material. Our unique way of isolation of the CdS-based TFTs devices yielded significantly low leakage current as well as remarkable lower operating voltages (<5 V) which is four times smaller than the devices reported on CdS-based TFTs using SiO2 gate dielectric. Upon thermal annealing, the devices demonstrate even higher performance, including μFE exceeding 4 ± 0.2 cm2 V−1S−1, threshold voltage VT of 3.8 V, and Ion-off of 104–105, which hold much promise for applications in future electronic and optical devices.

Influence of morphological transformation on luminescence properties of europium-doped gadolinium oxide nanostructures

Low dimensional europium (Eu 3+ )-doped gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) lanthanide nanostructures are synthesized by an effective and simple coprecipitation process followed by subsequent heat treatments. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images indicate Eu 3+ - doped Gd2O3 nanostructures undergo significant morphological changes from nanorods to nanoparticles during thermal treatments. Nanostructures with different morphology, including nanotubes, strongly influence the photoluminescence properties. The dependence of luminescence lifetime on morphological nature of the nanostructures demonstrates that the one dimensional nanostructures such as nanorods and nanotubes have higher emission intensity with shorter lifetime. Our analysis suggests that the morphological transformation of the nanostructures plays the most important role in the behavior of radiative and nonradiative relaxation mechanisms, resulting in the overall photoluminescence properties. Subject terms: nanostructures; morphological transformation; photoluminescence properties.

Al-doped ZnO aligned nanorod arrays for opto-electronic and sensor applications

We report on the growth of vertically aligned Al:ZnO nanorod arrays synthesized by the hydrothermal technique at considerably low temperature on a sputtered Al:ZnO seed layer. The morphology demonstrates that the nanorod arrays maintain remarkable alignment along the c-axis over a large area. The optoelectronic properties of nanorod arrays on Al:ZnO/p-Si seed layer with SiO2 have been illustrated. The photocurrent is significantly reduced in nanorod arrays on AZO/SiO2/p-Si heterojunction due to multiple scattering phenomena associated with the nanorod arrays. The optical properties of the AZO film with and without the AZO nanorod arrays were investigated. Also the effects of an intermediate layer in the AZO/P-Si heterojunction structure with and without the AZO nanorod array present were explored. All the various intermediate layers displayed photovoltaic effect behavior, especially with the AZO/SiO2/P-Si heterojunction structure, which exhibited ideal diode behavior. The optoelectronic properties of nanorod arrays on AZO/P-Si seed layer with SiO2 have been illustrated. The photocurrent is significantly reduced in nanorod arrays on AZO/SiO2/P-Si heterojunction due to multiple scattering phenomena associated with the nanorod arrays. The results have tremendous impact for sensor fabrication, including glucose sensor.

Remarkable evolution of electrical conductivity in Al:ZnO films

We report here the investigation of Al-doped ZnO films fabricated by the RF magnetron deposition technique. The films show excellent crystalline quality with atomically smooth surface morphology. The Al-doped ZnO films have been characterized in detail using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy UV-visible spectrophotometer and four probe technique. It was found that the morphological, structural, electrical and optical properties of Al-doped ZnO films are greatly dependent on substrate temperature. XRD patterns show that all the films are well crystallized with hexagonal wurtzite structure with preferred orientation along (0 0 2) plane. The electrical resistivity of Al-doped ZnO films decreases with increasing substrate temperature and was found to be close to 1.5 × 10-3 ohm-cm and transmittance >85% in the visible region.

Design of nanostructured-based glucose biosensors

This paper presents the design of glucose sensors that will be integrated with advanced nano-materials, bio-coatings and electronics to create novel devices that are highly sensitive, inexpensive, accurate, and reliable. In the work presented, a glucose biosensor and its fabrication process flow have been designed. The device is based on electrochemical sensing using a working electrode with bio-functionalized zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-rods. Among all metal oxide nanostructures, ZnO nano-materials play a significant role as a sensing element in biosensors due to their properties such as high isoelectric point (IEP), fast electron transfer, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and chemical stability which are very crucial parameters to achieve high sensitivity. Amperometric enzyme electrodes based on glucose oxidase (GOx) are used due to their stability and high selectivity to glucose. The device also consists of silicon dioxide and titanium layers as well as platinum working and counter electrodes and a silver/silver chloride reference electrode. Currently, the biosensors are being fabricated using the process flow developed. Once completed, the sensors will be bio-functionalized and tested to characterize their performance, including their sensitivity and stability.

Nanostructured materials for multifunctional applications under NSF-CREST research at Norfolk State University

Magnetic nanoparticles of CoFe2O4 have been synthesized under an applied magnetic field through a co-precipitation method followed by thermal treatments at different temperatures, producing nanoparticles of varying size. The magnetic behavior of these nanoparticles of varying size was investigated. As-grown nanoparticles demonstrate superparamagnetism above the blocking temperature, which is dependent on the particle size. The anomalous magnetic behavior is attributed to the preferred Co ions and vacancies arrangements when the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized under applied magnetic field. Furthermore, this magnetic property is strongly dependent on the high temperature heat treatments, which produce Co ions and vacancies disorder. We performed the fabrication of condensed and mesoporous silica coated CoFe2O4 magnetic nanocomposites. The CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles were encapsulated with well-defined silica layer. The mesopores in the shell were fabricated as a consequence of removal of organic group of the precursor through annealing. The NiO nanoparticles were loaded into the mesoporous silica. The mesoporous silica coated magnetic nanostructure loaded with NiO as a final product may have potential use in the field of biomedical applications. Growth mechanism of ZnO nanorod arrays on ZnO seed layer investigated by electric and Kelvin probe force microscopy. Both electric and Kelvin force probe microscopy was used to investigate the surface potentials on the ZnO seed layer, which shows a remarkable dependence on the annealing temperature. The optimum temperature for the growth of nanorod arrays normal to the surface was found to be at 600 °C, which is in the range of right surface potentials and energy measured between 500 °C and 700 °C. We demonstrated from both EFM and Kelvin force probe microscopy studies that surface potential controls the growth of ZnO nanorods. This study will provide important understanding of growth of other nanostructures. ZnO nanolayers were also grown by atomic layer deposition techniques. These nanolayers of ZnO demonstrate remarkable optical and electrical properties. These nanolayers were patterned by the Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) technique. A major goal of nanotechnology is to couple the self-assembly of molecular nanostructures with conventional lithography, using either or both bottom-up and top-down fabrication methods, that would enable us to register individual molecular nanostructures onto the functional devices. However, combining the nanofabrication technique with high resolution Electron Beam Lithography, we can achieve 3D bimolecular or/and DNA origami that will be able to identify nucleic acid sequences, antigen targets, and other molecules, as for a perfect nano-biosensor. We have explored some of the nanopatterning using EBL in order to fabricate biomolecule sensing on a single chip with sub nm pitch. The applications are not limited for the bioactivity, but for enhancing immunoreactions, cell culture dishes, and tissue engineering applications.