Development of ZnO films and nanostructures for energy extraction: nanopower generators and piezotronics

• Grant number: 12/11979-5
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: October 01, 2013 - March 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal researcher: Maria Aparecida Zaghete Bertochi
• Grantee: Maria Aparecida Zaghete Bertochi
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Leinig Antonio Perazolli ; Talita Mazon

Abstract

This proposal aims to prepare nanostructures of zinc oxide (ZnO) with surface-modified or not with metal. Also, Nanocomposites will be prepared from cellulose / ZnO in this case ZnO will be crystallized, in side of net or on the surface of the cellulose film, by hydrothermal synthesis conventional or microwave assisted. The physical and chemical parameters of the synthesis process will be studied in order to grow ZnO nanostructures. Monitoring the products of synthesis should be done primarily by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction to identify anisotropic growth of ZnO. The second stage of the project is to prepare textured films from the deposition of nanostructures and nanoclusters of ZnO using deposition by electrophoresis, EPD. In this case, the nanostructures obtained will be used to prepare stabilized suspensions by the addition of different surfactants. To ensure a homogeneous and stable suspension of the nanostructures will be a study of the best ratio of nanostructures: surfactants. The s characterization of suspensions will be carried to know the morphology of the particle / cluster size distribution of particles and ionic functionality of the surface particle by zeta potential. The films of nanostructures with or without modified surface will be formed on different substrates by electrophoretic deposition. In this step, it is investigated the influence of factors such as tension and time of deposition, the nanostructures concentration of suspensions the dimensions and arrangements to obtain textured films for applications in nanopiezoeletricos. The crystallinity and composition of the films are examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The particle size, morphology and thickness of the films will be determined using the techniques of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The piezoelectric properties of ZnO nanostructures will be obtained using piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM) technique. These measures will be undertaken in collaboration with the group from the CICECO, University of Aveiro, Portugal. The Brazilian group has a PFM- AFM equipment and purchased supplements aimed at characterization of nanoscale materials with piezoelectric properties. This technique is the way to characterize nano or meso structures and their electrical properties. It is important to emphasize that there is, today, another tool that can measure the electromechanical response of a simple nanobelts, nanowires of ZnO. Therefore, we also aim to enable people of the Brazilian group to use and interpret data PFM. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

AMORESI, RAFAEL A. C.; FELIX, ANDERSON A.; BOTERO, ERITON R.; DOMINGUES, NELSON L. C.; FALCAO, EVARISTO A.; ZAGHETE, MARIA A.; RINALDI, ANDRELSON W. Crystallinity, morphology and high dielectric permittivity of NiO nanosheets filling Poly(vinylidene fluoride). CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL, v. 41, n. 10, B, p. 14733-14739, DEC 2015. Web of Science Citations: 13.