Synthesis and functional materials properties of 2-D arranged SiC and SiCN materials

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Jörg J. Schneider
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2005 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5447934

Materials which are structured on the nanoscale in rod-like configurations offer unique new properties when arranged in two dimensional structures over large areas. One dimensional nanomaterials are of fundamental importance to the study of size-dependent chemical, physical and mechanical phenomena. The properties of such materials sensitively depend on their geometrical shape and configuration, which can include tubular structures (single or multi-walled tubes), solid cylindric nanowires or coaxial constructions. We are proposing to synthesize and arrange SiCN and SiC nanorods through a combined molecular precursor-based / template approach. Our nanorod synthesis proceeds either (i) via a molecular-based solution route, which incorporates the precursor molecules into nanoporous template host materials, followed by a sequence of pyrolysing steps. Alternatively (ii) the synthesis will employ a gas pase molecular route which forms the nanorods inside a nanoporous template structure. The oxide based templates used are available as free-standing films with tunable pore size diameter (10 - 100 nm) with a highly oriented hexagonal nanoporous arrangement. This unique approach offers the possibility of stabilizing rod-like arrays over larger areas (up to cm2) by using the template as a oriented preorganized scaffold for obtaining embedded as well as free-standing (after template dissolution) oriented SiC and SiCN nanorods. Structural and functional properties of the new nanorod arrangements promise potential to envisaged applications as (i) embossing stamps for mechanical nanolithography processes as well as (ii) high aspect ratio emitters for electronic field emission. Such functional properties will also be studied in our project.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Isabel Kinski