Photon-assisted electron spectroscopy of nanostructures in the transmission electron microscope
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Materials Science & Metallurgy
Abstract
This project will develop photon-assisted electron spectroscopy in the transmission electron microscope (TEM), a new technique to study the electronic and optical properties of nanomaterials. A well characterised light source is used to excite electronic transitions within a nanostructure, and the modified electronic density is probed by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in scanning TEM mode. Conventional EEL spectra represent the energy lost by the electron beam through inelastic interactions with the specimen, and hence reveal transition from the occupied to the unoccupied electronic states in the material. When populating higher energy electronic levels through photon absorption, e.g. band-gap states, a different configuration of the density of states will be observed in the EEL spectrum. This combined technique can be applied to the study of long-lived electronic states in both inorganic and organic nanomaterials. A continuous ultraviolet source can be used to irradiate titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles to study how their response changes depending on their phase, size, morphology. This is technologically relevant because TiO2 and ZnO are powerful photocatalysts that can oxidize almost any organic molecule under UV radiation. Understanding and enhancing the catalytic activity of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles will provide a more effective solution for the removal of toxic gases from the environment. When a laser is used to excite optical electronic transitions in working nanowire photovoltaic devices (the nanoscale equivalent of a solar cell), the modified EELS signal and the photo-generated current can be monitored at the same time, and can be correlated with the size, crystallographic phase and orientation, as well as surface structure of the individual nanowires. This study will contribute to the development of more efficient photovoltaic devices for the conversion of sun light into electricity. Stimulating the photodesorption of oxygen from the surface of well characterised nanoparticles will help understanding the electronic surface states and some of the charge-transfer mechanisms on which catalysis and sensing are based. The development of the technique will proceed in three stages of increasing complexity, and will involve not only the design and assembling of the research apparatus, but also the devising of a methodology for data acquisition and analysis. Photon-assisted spectroscopy will be carried out using the FEI Titan TEM/STEM, a monochromated aberration corrected microscope of the new generation, with unprecedented energy and spatial resolution for analytical work.This project represents a great adventure, an opportunity to create a new field of research, and a new tool in nanometrology.
People |
ORCID iD |
Caterina Ducati (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Crossland E
(2008)
Block Copolymer Morphologies in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Probing the Photovoltaic Structure-Function Relation
in Nano Letters
Crossland EJ
(2009)
A bicontinuous double gyroid hybrid solar cell.
in Nano letters
Guldin S
(2011)
Improved conductivity in dye-sensitised solar cells through block-copolymer confined TiO 2 crystallisation
in Energy Environ. Sci.
Hou J
(2009)
Solution-phase synthesis of single-crystalline Bi(12)TiO(20) nanowires with photocatalytic properties.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Hou J
(2010)
Hierarchical assemblies of bismuth titanate complex architectures and their visible-light photocatalytic activities
in Journal of Materials Chemistry
Jiang W
(2012)
Vertically oriented TiO(x)N(y) nanopillar arrays with embedded Ag nanoparticles for visible-light photocatalysis.
in Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Nedelcu M
(2010)
Monolithic route to efficient dye-sensitized solar cells employing diblock copolymers for mesoporous TiO 2
in J. Mater. Chem.
Plank N
(2009)
Efficient ZnO Nanowire Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using Organic Dyes and Core-shell Nanostructures
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Sauvage F
(2010)
Hierarchical TiO2 photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cells.
in Nano letters
Snaith HJ
(2010)
SnO2-based dye-sensitized hybrid solar cells exhibiting near unity absorbed photon-to-electron conversion efficiency.
in Nano letters
Description | The main scientific results on the techniques development front are the construction of three TEM specimen holders incorporating a light source (in the ultra-violet to visible range), and the development of a methodology for in situ illumination experiments which combine imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy analysis. The specimen holders are now fully functional and in use on FEI microscopes. We have studied the effect of UV irradiation on rutile and anatase titania nanoparticles, comparing ex situ and in situ illumination. We have found that the lifetime of the photoexcited states is compatible with EELS acquisition times (ms), and UV illumination produces measurable modifications to the occupation of electronic states, in particular related to surface states. We explored different types of titania nanostructures to investigate the role of defects and interfaces on photoactivity. A particularly interesting development has been the imaging of hybrid solar cell sections in three-dimensions using electron tomography in conjunction with an advanced specimen preparation methodology. Through a close collaboration with Dr Vasan Kumar's research group we have studied a method to tune the photocatalytic activity from the ultra-violet into the visible range, and have reached a stable and reproducible formulation which degrades dyes and bacteria very efficiently. |
Exploitation Route | We have recently registered an invention in the area of photocatalysis, have received support from Cambridge Enterprise to proceed with a patent, and are preparing a business plan to bring this invention to the market through a spin-off company in the area of water purification. Our work on hybrid solar cells will be used to optimise devices and increase their efficiency, eventually leading to a market product (some of these devices are already commercialised). It has also stimulated more research in the area of nanostructured composite materials for energy applications, which is one of the priority research areas in materials science. |
Sectors | Electronics,Energy,Environment |
Description | The findings of this grant have been used to advance knowledge in the field of photovoltaic nanostructured materials and composites, in particular titanium oxide-based photoanodes for hybrid solar cells. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural,Economic |
Description | ERC Proof of Concept Grant |
Amount | € 109,760 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 620298 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2015 |
Description | ERC Starting Investigator Grant |
Amount | € 1,381,541 (EUR) |
Funding ID | Grant Agreement No.259619_RG58277 |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 11/2010 |
End | 11/2015 |
Description | Royal Society URF Research Grant |
Amount | £34,025 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2008/R2 Research Fellows _CDucati |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2009 |
End | 03/2011 |
Description | Royal Society University Research Fellowship |
Amount | £560,637 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Royal Society |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2007 |
End | 09/2012 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr Henry Snaith |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We collaborated with DR Snaith's research group on the characterization of tin oxide, and titanium oxide based hybrid solar cells |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Collaboration with Dr R.V. Kumar |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our collaboration with Dr Kumar's Materials Chemistry research group focused on the study of nanostructured photocatalysts by transmission electron microscopy. |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | Collaboration with Prof Li Bassi |
Organisation | Polytechnic University of Milan |
Country | Italy |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have developed a collaboration with the research group of Prof Andrea Li Bassi, at the Politecnico di Milano, on the characterization of nanostructured photoanodes for hybrid solar cells. |
Start Year | 2008 |