Study of local valence of semiconducting oxides

• Grant number: 12/20512-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Fernando Zagonel
• Grantee: Gabriel Gaál
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This Project aims to study local valence states of semiconducting nanostructured oxides (particularly, V2O5 e TiO2) to understand this relationship with other properties of these materials. Semiconducting nanostructured oxides display interesting electronic properties for applications like memristors, for instance. For this study, it will be used electron energy loss spectroscopy in a transmission electron microscope. This technique allows the determination of the local chemical state and of the metal-oxygen ration. This study also acts as an introduction to the field of semiconductors and microscopy to the student and also helps the development of methodology in this kind of measurement for the laboratory. To perform this experiment, rather complex ones, the student with have constant guidance from this adviser.(AU)