Preparation and characterization of metal-semiconductor nanocomposites by self-assembly of niobium and gold spheres

• Grant number: 08/09049-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2008
• End date: November 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Djalma de Albuquerque Barros Filho
• Grantee: Vanessa Seriacopi
• Host Institution: Coordenadoria de Pesquisa. Universidade Bandeirantes (UNIBAN). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main goal of this research project consists on the generation of nanocomposites formed by gold (Au) and niobium (Nb) spherical particles self-assembled by conventional techniques like controlled evaporation of solvent and sedimentation. The spheres diameters are below 500nm whose voids will be filled by inorganic precursors like tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and tetraethylorthotitanate (TEOTit) in such a way that it will be created a semiconductor-metal interface to be analyzed by different techniques like: electronic microscopic, X-ray diffraction,AC magnetic susceptibility, etc. New self-assembled arrays can be obtained using a metallic template replacing the conventional semiconductor and polymeric colloidal particles applied in the nanoscience field. Some trends must be highlighted as the improvement of new functional devices with mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, nanomagnetism, etc. Therefore, the return of this project will be important for scientific research and technological application. (AU)