Photoelectron spectroscopy and microscopy using synchrotron radiation for exploiting diamond surfaces and interfaces
Lead Research Organisation:
Aberystwyth University
Department Name: Inst of Mathematical and Physical Sci
Abstract
This project involves the application of advanced x-ray characterisation methods optimised for the study of carbon-based materials to address key fundamental issues in diamond science and technology. Diamond has emerged in recent years as a functional wide-gap semiconducting material largely enabled by advances in diamond synthesis to a level of quality that has reached that of more conventional crystalline semiconductors. In spite of its structural similarity to these materials, diamond has consistently exhibited unique properties such as its high thermal conductivity, thermal and radiation stability and negative electron affinity that enable niche and new electronic and optoelectronic applications. There remain many practical issues to resolve in diamond electronics (e.g. efficient low resistance and rectifying contacts, optimised n-type doping and control of thermal and chemical processes) and there is a need for better understanding of new phenomenon and applications (e.g. transfer doping, nanodiamond sensors and quantum storage). This background provides an ideal set of challenges for a project student equipped with the appropriate tools in the form of complementary characterisation methods (X-ray Absorption Spectroscsopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Microscopy) that can be applied in-situ to probe the interplay between energy levels, chemistry and local structure with high energy, temporal and spatial resolution. Solutions to the practical issues will ensure a high probability of generating useful data for the PhD programme while the application of techniques operating with the brightest sources coupled to the most efficient experimental probes and detectors will ensure an equal likelihood of discovering new science.
People |
ORCID iD |
Andy Evans (Principal Investigator) | |
David Langstaff (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Cooil S
(2015)
Controlling the growth of epitaxial graphene on metalized diamond (111) surface
in Applied Physics Letters
Reed B
(2022)
Diamond (111) surface reconstruction and epitaxial graphene interface
in Physical Review B
Mazzola F
(2015)
Graphene coatings for chemotherapy: avoiding silver-mediated degradation
in 2D Materials
Williams G
(2014)
High temperature photoelectron emission and surface photovoltage in semiconducting diamond
in Applied Physics Letters
Heinhold R
(2013)
Influence of polarity and hydroxyl termination on the band bending at ZnO surfaces
in Physical Review B
Cooil S
(2012)
Iron-mediated growth of epitaxial graphene on SiC and diamond
in Carbon
Heinhold R
(2014)
Stability of the Surface Electron Accumulation Layers on the Nonpolar (101¯0) and (112¯0) Faces of ZnO
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Evans D
(2013)
Transport and optical gaps and energy band alignment at organic-inorganic interfaces
in Journal of Applied Physics
Description | We have discovered a new method for producing graphene using diamond as both the source of carbon atoms and the crystal template. This was achieved by understanding the catalytic conversion from sp3 to sp2 carbon and controlling the reaction to grow high quality 2-dimensional films. The work has resulted in journal papers, presentations at international conferences and the submission of a PhD thesis for the project student. |
Exploitation Route | For graphene production, the method uses a lower temperature than others (500C) and can be used to selectively define the areas of growth. For diamond cutting tools, it provides new insights into the mechanism for failure for cutting ferrous metals. It has potential use for understanding of the iron-carbon system for the metal/steel industry and longer term importance in quantum computing and spintronics as it involves three of the key materials - doped diamond, iron and graphene. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Education Electronics Energy Environment Healthcare Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | The science findings have been used as the basis of a patent for graphene manufacture and for lectures to schools, organisations and also for radio and TV programmes in English and in Welsh. |
First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
Sector | Education,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal Economic |
Description | CDT in Diamond Science and Technology |
Amount | £4,500,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/L015315/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2014 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | ERDF |
Amount | £5,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Government of Wales |
Department | Welsh European Funding Office |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2016 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | SPARC II |
Organisation | Bangor University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is a successful bid for funding by WEFO bringing together researchers from three universities in Wales to build research capacity in solar energy research. The Aberystwyth contribution is to provide specialist techniques including photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation for the study of interfaces crucial to the performance of the next generation solar energy devices. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners cover all aspects of solar energy research from materials to devices to packages. |
Impact | Plans for grant applications, joint papers and new collaborations |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | SPARC II |
Organisation | Swansea University |
Department | College of Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is a successful bid for funding by WEFO bringing together researchers from three universities in Wales to build research capacity in solar energy research. The Aberystwyth contribution is to provide specialist techniques including photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation for the study of interfaces crucial to the performance of the next generation solar energy devices. |
Collaborator Contribution | Partners cover all aspects of solar energy research from materials to devices to packages. |
Impact | Plans for grant applications, joint papers and new collaborations |
Start Year | 2016 |
Title | METHOD FOR PRODUCING GRAPHENE |
Description | A method for producing graphene comprises:- (i) providing a layer of catalyst on a diamond (111) surface, (ii) heating the diamond and/or catalyst layer with a heat source until a desired thickness of graphene is produced on the exposed surface of the catalyst. |
IP Reference | WO2013038130 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2013 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | increased contact with academic and industrial groups |
Description | National Eisteddfod |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | IOP funding supported an EPSRC CDT - linked activity on diamond and graphene where staff and students from Aberystwyth spent a week at the Science Pavilion at the National Eisteddfod in August 2015. Visitors were given the opportunity to build molecular structures from sp2 and sp3 carbon atoms and Prof Evans delivered a demonstration talk outside the pavilion on the topic of synthetic diamond and graphene. The pavilion attracted visitors such as the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, the chief scientific advisor to the Welsh Government, Julie Williams and the CEO of the Diamond Light Source, Andrew Harrison. The activity was there for each of the 8 days and the pavilion attracted over 20,000 visitors. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Radio Wales |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | radio programme on Radio Wales further newspaper articles |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nyq6g |
Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Exhibit led by Warwick university involving members of the EPSRC CDT in Diamond Science and Technology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Science Pavilion at the National Eisteddfod of Wales |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A diamond crystal model formed part of the university display within the Science and Technology Pavilion at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Abergavenny in August 2017. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | WWAYS |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Talk encouraged further visits from schools and inspired materials science as a university choice for one student. after the talk, students requested a visit to the laboratory |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | graphene press release |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | press release led to radio newspaper and web coverage local organisations invited talks |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
URL | http://article.wn.com/view/2013/03/06/Graphene_breakthrough_Aberystwyth_University/ |