Ionic Nanoconvection in Anodization of Aluminum Plate and Formation of Si nanowires
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
The proposed research is about an establishment of a novel ionic nanoconvection in the anodization process of aluminium plates. The model is based on a modification of the traditional Rayleigh-Benard thermal convection model established nearly one century ago and is now used in a nanoscale system for the first time. Anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) is a common template for preparing nanomaterials including nanowires. The formation mechanism of its highly ordered pores has been investigated for more than 50 years. Our ionic nanoconvection model has several advantages in comparison with the previous ones because we may reveal the nature of the formation of the ordered pores in AAO and elucidate the various effects on this process, such as anodic voltage, anodic current density, anodic time, concentration of the acid solution used as electrolyte, etc. We expect that the anodization of Al plates will become much more controllable after the establishment of our model. We will investigate the microstructures of Si nanowires made in AAO and focus on some new types of defects, e.g. thick boundaries of twin defects, superstructures, detailed structures of surface coating layers and surface recrystallization. Raman scattering of the Si nanowires will also be investigated. This research will allow us to have a better understanding of the formation mechanism and properties of Si nanowires.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Wuzong Zhou (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Lu S
(2009)
Ionic nano-convection in anodisation of aluminium plate.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Su Z
(2008)
Porous Anodic Metal Oxides
in Science Foundation in China
Su Z
(2012)
Anodic formation of nanoporous and nanotubular metal oxides
in J. Mater. Chem.
Su Z
(2008)
Investigation of the pore formation in anodic aluminium oxide
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Su Z
(2011)
Pore diameter control in anodic titanium and aluminium oxides
in J. Mater. Chem.
Su Z
(2009)
Dissociation of water during formation of anodic aluminum oxide.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Su Z
(2010)
Crystal growth of Si nanowires and formation of longitudinal planar defects
in CrystEngComm
Su Z
(2008)
Formation Mechanism of Porous Anodic Aluminium and Titanium Oxides
in Advanced Materials
Su Z
(2011)
Formation, morphology control and applications of anodic TiO2 nanotube arrays
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Su Z
(2011)
New insight into the soot nanoparticles in a candle flame.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Description | Established a new model of the porous anodic Al2O3 and TiO2, the so-called equifield strnegth model, which has been well cited. The student was awarded Top Prize as Best PhD thesis in chemical related field by SCI. |
Exploitation Route | The newly established formation mechanisms of porous anodic Al2O3 and TiO2 can be, and have been, used by many people in their research and fabrication of these materials, which can be used in photocatalysis and solar cells. The morphology of the the pores can be better controlled using our model. |
Sectors | Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Description | The first paper published in Advanced Materials in 2008 has been cited over 100 times. The established mechanism has been used by many researchers in their research. |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Sector | Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |