Identifier

etd-10132011-152121

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Chemistry

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Naturally self-assembled mesospheres provide a practical route for controlling the arrangement of materials on surfaces at the nanoscale. Periodic arrays of well-defined nanostructures can be produced with different nanomaterials and interpattern spacings. Results presented in this dissertation demonstrate particle lithography methods developed for fabricating arrays of organosilane nanostructures. Surfaces were designed for the selective deposition of polymers and nanoparticles to produce multicomponent nanopatterns. The approaches for surface patterning provide new directions for studying surface chemistry at the molecular-level, and have practical application for emerging photovoltaic thin film technologies. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides unique capabilities for molecular visualization and ultrasensitive measurements of surface properties with nanoscale resolution. Organosilane nanopatterns bearing different functionalities and chain lengths were characterized using AFM to gain insight on molecular organization and surface-assembly processes. Indirect magnetic modulation (IMM) is a new instrument configuration for force modulation AFM that was developed for investigating mechanical properties of materials. The principle of IMM is based on indirect oscillation of soft nonmagnetic cantilevers through the tip holder assembly, which contains magnetic materials. Imaging can be performed in either ambient or liquid environments. The driving frequency for tip vibration can be selected to enhance contrast in amplitude and phase images, which provides information on the elastic response of thin-film materials. Images acquired with IMM furnish nanoscale resolution views of the morphology and elastic response of organosilane nanostructures. The dampening effect of liquid imaging media on cantilever oscillation during IMM was investigated using a liquid sample cell. Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices are promising alternatives to traditional silicon based solar cells. A major challenge for OPVs is the requirement for higher efficiencies, or better device performance. The nanoscale morphology and molecular organization of the donor/acceptor materials in the organic layer affects the conductivity of OPV devices. To improve efficiency, new fabrication methods must be developed that are capable of controlling the molecular structure of the donor/acceptor materials. Using particle lithography combined with contact printing, billions of periodic and uniform pillar nanostructures of polythiophene can be fabricated on the surface. The dimensions and spacing can be selectively tuned by using different size latex masks.

Date

2011

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Garno, Jayne

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.1750

Included in

Chemistry Commons

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