Tony van Buuren

Determination of the Exciton Binding Energy in CdSe Quantum Dots

The exciton binding energy (EBE) in CdSe quantum dots (QDs) has been determined using X-ray spectroscopy. Using X-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopy, the conduction band (CB) and valence band (VB) edge shifts as a function of particle size have been determined and combined to obtain the true band gap of the QDs (i.e., without an exciton). These values can be compared to the excitonic gap obtained using optical spectroscopy to determine the EBE. The experimental EBE results are compared with theoretical calculations on the EBE and show excellent agreement.

Near-Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy of Diamondoid Thiol Monolayers on Gold

Diamondoids, hydrocarbon molecules with cubic-diamond-cage structures, have unique properties with potential value for nanotechnology. The availability and ability to selectively functionalize this special class of nanodiamond materials opens new possibilities for surface modification, for high-efficiency field emitters in molecular electronics, as seed crystals for diamond growth, or as robust mechanical coatings. The properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of diamondoids are thus of fundamental interest for a variety of emerging applications. This paper presents the effects of thiol substitution position and polymantane order on diamondoid SAMs on gold using near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A framework to determine both molecular tilt and twist through NEXAFS is presented and reveals highly ordered diamondoid SAMs, with the molecular orientation controlled by the thiol location. C 1s and S 2p binding energies are lower in adamantane thiol than alkane thiols on gold by 0.67 +/- 0.05 and 0.16 +/- 0.04 eV, respectively. These binding energies vary with diamondoid monolayer structure and thiol substitution position, consistent with different degrees of steric strain and electronic interaction with the substrate. This work demonstrates control over the assembly, in particular the orientational and electronic structure, providing a flexible design of surface properties with this exciting new class of diamond nanoparticles.

Evidence for Ligand-Induced Paramagnetism in CdSe Quantum Dots

We report evidence that paramagnetism in CdSe QDs can be induced via manipulation of the surface chemistry. Using SQUID magnetometry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the paramagnetic behavior of the CdSe QDs can be varied by changing the ligand end-group functionality of the passivating layer. Contrary to previous reports, no evidence for ferromagnetism was observed. The results suggest that the paramagnetism is induced via pi back-bonding between Cd 4d orbtials and ligands with empty pi* orbitals.

Ligand-mediated modification of the electronic structure of CdSe quantum dots.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy and ab initio modeling of the experimental spectra have been used to investigate the effects of surface passivation on the unoccupied electronic states of CdSe quantum dots (QDs). Significant differences are observed in the unoccupied electronic structure of the CdSe QDs, which are shown to arise from variations in specific ligand-surface bonding interactions.

The influence of a single thiol group on the electronic and optical properties of the smallest diamondoid adamantane

At the nanoscale, the surface becomes pivotal for the properties of semiconductors due to an increased surface-to-bulk ratio. Surface functionalization is a means to include semiconductor nanocrystals into devices. In this comprehensive experimental study we determine in detail the effect of a single thiol functional group on the electronic and optical properties of the hydrogen-passivated nanodiamond adamantane. We find that the optical properties of the diamondoid are strongly affected due to a drastic change in the occupied states. Compared to adamantane, the optical gap in adamantane-1-thiol is lowered by approximately 0.6 eV and UV luminescence is quenched. The lowest unoccupied states remain delocalized at the cluster surface leaving the diamondoids negative electron affinity intact.

Effect of Ring Substitution Position on the Structural Conformation of Mercaptobenzoic Acid Self-Assembled Monolayers on Au(111)

Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy, photoemission spectroscopy (PES), and contact angle measurements have been used to examine the structure and bonding of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) prepared on Au(111) from the positional isomers of mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA). The isomer of MBA and solvent chosen in SAM preparation has considerable bearing upon film morphology. Carbon K-edge NEXAFS measurements indicate that the monomers of 2-, 3-, and 4-MBA have well-defined orientations within their respective SAMs. Monomers of 3- and 4-MBA assume an upright orientation on the Au substrates in monolayers prepared using an acetic acid in ethanol solvent. The aryl ring and carboxyl group of these molecules are tilted from the surface normal by a colatitudal angle of approximately 30 degrees . Preparation of 4-MBA SAMs using pure ethanol solvent, a more traditional means of synthesis, had no appreciable effect upon the monomer orientation. Nonetheless, S(2p) PES measurements illustrate that it results in extensive bilayer formation via carboxyl group hydrogen-bonding between 4-MBA monomers. In 2-MBA monolayers prepared using acetic acid/ethanol solvent, the monomers adopt a more prostrate orientation on the Au substrates, in which the aryl ring and carboxyl group of the molecules are tilted approximately 50 degrees from the surface normal. This configuration is consistent with an interaction between both the mercaptan sulfur and carboxyl group of 2-MBA with the underlying substrate. S(2p) and C(1s) PES experiments provide supporting evidence for a bidentate interaction between 2-MBA and Au(111).

Potential-Induced Electronic Structure Changes in Supercapacitor Electrodes Observed by In Operando Soft X-Ray Spectroscopy

The dynamic physiochemical response of a functioning graphene-based aerogel supercapacitor is monitored in operando by soft X-ray spectroscopy and interpreted through ab initio atomistic simulations. Unanticipated changes in the electronic structure of the electrode as a function of applied voltage bias indicate structural modifications across multiple length scales via independent pseudocapacitive and electric double layer charge storage channels.

Mesoscale evolution of voids and microstructural changes in HMX-based explosives during heating through the β-δ phase transition

HMX-based explosives LX-10 and PBX-9501 were heated through the β-δ phase transition. Ultra-small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS) and molecular diffraction were simultaneously recorded as the HMX was heated. Mesoscale voids and structure dramatically change promptly with the β-δ phase transition, rather than with other thermal effects. Also, x-ray induced damage, observed in the USAXS, occurs more readily at elevated temperatures; as such, the dose was reduced to mitigate this effect. Optical microscopy performed during a similar heating cycle gives an indication of changes on longer length scales, while x-ray microtomography, performed before and after heating, shows the character of extensive microstructural damage resulting from the temperature cycle and solid-state phase transition.

Synthesis and Characterization of Phase-Pure Manganese(II) and Manganese(III) Silicalite-2

Manganese silicalite-2 was synthesized at high pH using the molecular cluster Mn 12O 12(O 2CCH 3) 16 as a Mn source. The silicalite-2 (ZSM-11) materials were synthesized using 3,5-dimethyl- N, N-diethylpiperdinium hydroxide as a structure-directing agent to produce phase-pure ZSM-11 materials. No precipitation of manganese hydroxide was observed, and synthesis resulted in the incorporation of up to 2.5 mol % Mn into the silicalite-2 with direct substitution into the framework verified by the linear relationship between the unit cell volume and loading. The Mn is reduced to Mn (II) during hydrothermal synthesis and incorporated into the silicalite-2 framework during calcination at 500 degrees C. Further calcination at 750 degrees C does not affect the crystallinity but oxidizes essentially all of the Mn (II) to Mn (III) in the framework. The large difference in oxidation temperatures between the II and III oxidation states provides a means of producing relatively pure manganese(II) and manganese(III) silicalite-2 materials for applications such as catalysis.

Energy transfer and stimulated emission dynamics at 1.1 μm in Nd-doped SiN x

Neodymium (Nd) doped amorphous silicon nitride films with various Si concentrations (Nd:SiNx) were fabricated by reactive magnetron co-sputtering followed by thermal annealing. The time dynamics of the energy transfer in Nd:SiNx was investigated, a systematic optimization of its 1.1 μm emission was performed, and the Nd excitation cross section in SiNx was measured. An active Nd:SiNx micro-disk resonator was fabricated and enhanced radiation rate at 1.1 μm was demonstrated due to stimulated emission at the whispering gallery resonant modes. These results provide an alternative approach for the engineering of Si-based optical amplifiers and lasers on a silicon nitride materials platform.