Functional Oxide Thin Films and Nanostructures: Growth, Properties, and Applications

This Special Issue of Coatings is entitled “Functional Oxide Thin Films and Nanostructures: Growth, Properties, and Applications”. Recent materials nanotechnologies have created possibilities regarding the fabrication of oxide thin films at the nanometric level and other nanocomposites’ fabrication. In parallel, recent measurement technologies can characterize their unique properties arising from the limited regions of surfaces and interfaces. This Special Issue provides an opportunity to share surface-related science and engineering topics on oxide thin films and nanocomposites in an interactive and interdisciplinary manner. The ultimate goal is to elucidate the commonalities and differences between multilayer interfaces and nanocomposite grain boundaries. This Special Issue is as an effort to bridge the gap between materials science and the applications of oxide thin films and nanostructures. The topics covered in this Special Issue range from nanoparticles to thin films, heterostructures, and homojunctions and are related to various aspects of oxide materials’ preparation, characterization, and applications

Biomimetic route to hybrid nano-Composite scaffold for tissue engineering

Hydroxyapatite-poly(vinyl) alcohol-protein composites have been prepared by a biomimetic route at ambient conditions, aged for a fortnight at 30±2°C and given a shape in the form of blocks by thermal cycling. The structural characterizations reveal a good control over the morphology mainly the size and shape of the particles. Initial mechanical studies are very encouraging. Three biocompatibility tests, i.e., hemocompatibility, cell adhesion, and toxicity have been done from Shree Chitra Tirunal, Trivandrum and the results qualify their standards. Samples are being sent for more biocompatibility tests. Optimization of the blocks in terms of hydroxyapatite and polymer composition w.r.t the applications and its affect on the mechanical strength have been initiated. Rapid prototyping and a β-tricalcium – hydroxyapatite combination in composites are in the offing

Optical Thin Films and Structures

The book is devoted to the design, application and characterization of thin films and structures, with special emphasis on optical applications. It comprises ten papers—five featured and five regular—authored by scientists all over the world. Diverse materials are studied and their possible applications are demonstrated and discussed—transparent conductive coatings and structures from ZnO doped with Al and Ga and Ti-doped SnO2, polymers and nanosized zeolite thin films for optical sensing, TiO2 with linear and nonlinear optical properties, organic diamagnetic materials, broadband optical coatings, CrWN glass molding coatings, and silicon on insulator waveguides

Multifunctional Oxide-Based Materials: From Synthesis to Application

The book deals with novel aspects and perspectives in metal oxide and hybrid material fabrication

Properties and sensor performance of zinc oxide thin films

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (p. 144-152).This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Reactively sputtered ZnO thin film gas sensors were fabricated onto Si wafers. The atmosphere dependent electrical response of the ZnO micro arrays was examined. The effects of processing conditions on the properties and sensor performance of ZnO films were investigated. Using AFM, SEM, XRD and WDS, the 02/Ar ratios during sputtering and Al dopant were found to control the property of ZnO films. Subsequent annealing at 700 C improved the sensor response of the films considerably although it had only minor effects on the microstructure. DC resistance, I-V curves and AC impedance were utilized to investigate the gas response of ZnO sensors. ZnO films prepared with high O2/Ar ratios showed better sensitivity to various gases, a feature believed to be related to their lower carrier density. Al doped ZnO showed measurable sensitivity even with lower resistance attributable to their porous microstructure. AC impedance identified two major components of the total resistance including Schottky barriers at the Pt-ZnO interfaces and a DC bias induced constriction resistance within the ZnO films. Time dependent drift in resistance of ZnO films has been observed. Without applied bias, the ZnO films showed a fast and a slow resistance change response when exposed to gases with varying oxygen partial pressure with both response components dependent on operating temperature. Even at the relatively low operating temperatures of these thin film sensors, bulk diffusion cannot be discounted. The oxygen partial pressure dependence of the sensor resistance and its corresponding activation energy were related to defect process controlling the reduction/oxidation behavior of the ZnO.(cont.) In this study, time dependent DC bias effects on resistance drift were first discovered and characterized. The DC bias creates particularly high electric fields in these micro devices given that the spacing of the interdigited electrodes falls in the range of microns. The high electric field is believed to initiate ion migration and/or modulate grain boundary barrier heights, inducing resistance drift with time. Such DC bias resistance induced drift is expected to contribute to the instability of thin film micro array sensors designed for practical applications. Suggestions for stabilizing sensor response are provided.by Yongki Min.Ph.D

Multilayer Thin Films

This book, "Multilayer Thin Films-Versatile Applications for Materials Engineering", includes thirteen chapters related to the preparations, characterizations, and applications in the modern research of materials engineering. The evaluation of nanomaterials in the form of different shapes, sizes, and volumes needed for utilization in different kinds of gadgets and devices. Since the recently developed two-dimensional carbon materials are proving to be immensely important for new configurations in the miniature scale in the modern technology, it is imperative to innovate various atomic and molecular arrangements for the modifications of structural properties. Of late, graphene and graphene-related derivatives have been proven as the most versatile two-dimensional nanomaterials with superb mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties. To understand the in-depth technology, an effort has been made to explain the basics of nano dimensional materials. The importance of nano particles in various aspects of nano technology is clearly indicated. There is more than one chapter describing the use of nanomaterials as sensors. In this volume, an effort has been made to clarify the use of such materials from non-conductor to highly conducting species. It is expected that this book will be useful to the postgraduate and research students as this is a multidisciplinary subject