Research
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Nanostructure Formation at the Liquid Solid Interface
While conventional substrate-based techniques have undeniably given rise to an impressive number of nanostructured surfaces, the scope and scale of this success is dwarfed by the accomplishments of solution-based techniques. Our goal is to bring this impressive solution-based chemistry to the substrate platform.
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Nanostructure Formation in a Vapor Phase
The vapor phase formation of nanostructures through self-assembly, directed-assembly, or island growth modes has been studied for many years and has yielded a wide array of nanostructures. We, however, have devised a simple technique whereby periodic arrays of nanostructures are first formed using dynamic templating and are then treated as heterogeneous nucleation sites in subsequent assembly processes.
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Dynamic Templating
The deposition of a high surface energy thin film on a low surface energy substrate, followed by its subsequent dewetting and agglomeration into droplets at elevated temperatures, is the most straightforward method for obtaining substrate-based nanostructures. We have devised a directed assembly route, referred to as dynamic templating, which enhances the agglomeration process over that observed for conventional dewetting techniques.
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Chemical Detection
We have, in collaboration with the group of Professor Eric Borguet (Department of Chemistry, Temple University), demonstrated the optical detection of H2 using substrate-immobilized Au nanoparticles.