Advisor(s)

Latika Menon

Contributor(s)

Donald Heiman, Jeffrey B. Sokoloff, Swastik Kar

Date of Award

2011

Date Accepted

8-2011

Degree Grantor

Northeastern University

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department or Academic Unit

College of Science, Department of Physics

Keywords

physics, condensed matter physics, nanoscience

Subject Categories

Nanotubes

Disciplines

Physics

Abstract

In past decades revolutionary developments took place in many aspects of science. One of the leading developments is in the field of material science where there is great interest in developing new materials for various applications. Massive number of applications will change the entire life of mankind on earth and in space. Nanomaterials science is considered the pioneer in this new era.

Titania nanotube is considered a very important material due to its promising applications in many fields ranging from energy harvesting to sensors and photocatalytic applications. Electrochemical anodization method is used to fabricate titania nanotube arrays, this method is preferred than other methods for many reasons, for example it has good degree of controlling tube length, tube diameter and tube wall thickness. In addition to controlling tube parameter this method provides a scalable, easy and cheap technique for future industrial applications. My work in this thesis is focused on this kind of nanotubes arrays. In this dissertation we will provide an introduction to fabrication of titania nanotube arrays. We will provide an overview about the reported methods of fabrication and the advantage of each method. Also we will describe some anticipated application and the challenges to make these nanotubes functional and efficient.

Secondly, we will carry out a comprehensive study of the electrical transport of a single titania nanotube, where we have been able to study for the first time the electrical transport properties of a single titania nanotube using E-beam Lithography technique. Also we will explore parameters that affect these transport properties such as annealing conditions and the morphology of the nanotube. We will describe a study of the optical properties of free standing titania nanotube arrays, where we will investigate the transmission, reflection and absorption of electromagnetic spectrum from 300nm to 1000nm (which cover the infrared, visible light and ultra violet region). This study is done both qualitatively and quantitatively using integrating sphere spectrometry. Finally, we will carry out a study of catalytic properties of modified titania nanotube arrays where the modification is done by controlled attachment of gold nanoparticles to the surface of the titania nanotube arrays. These gold nanoparticles when supported by titanium oxide surface works as a very good catalyst for CO oxidation reaction at room temperature and lower.

Document Type

Dissertation

Rights Information

copyright 2011

Rights Holder

Mohamed AbdElmoula


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