Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Nanoscale science is based on the concept that materials illustrate unique properties at reduced dimensions. The research that will be supported by the instrumentation requested in this proposal focuses on the on-surface growth of novel molecular-based and synthetic inorganic low-dimensional materials with engineered electronic properties. To architect novel one- and two-dimensional (1D/2D) materials, our approach is to carry out the development of nanomaterials on surfaces. This can be achieved using ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chambers which provide a well-controlled environment for the fabrication of these materials on surfaces. The chemical nature, surface plane, and catalytic activity of the surfaces contribute to the chemical reactions and the resultant nanomaterials. Under UHV conditions, all steps of the experiments are performed in-situ, including atomic-scale cleaning of the surfaces, deposition of chemical compounds, post-annealing the surface to mediate reactions, or to boost a reaction by adding atomic or ionic hydrogen, and the characterization of the nanomaterials. For the epitaxial growth of materials, the requested instruments include (1, 2) molecular beam evaporators for depositing precursors with low and medium sublimation temperature, (3) e-beam evaporator to deposit elemental atoms from materials with low vapor pressure. The requested (4) hydrogen cracker facilitates hydrogen-mediated reactions at surfaces, and (5) Auger electron spectroscopy / Low energy electron diffraction will be used for the chemical analysis and measuring the crystallinity of the formed materials. These itemized instruments will be installed on the UHV chamber, each with added functionality described, and altogether facilitates the proposed research in the on-surface growth of carbon-based and inorganic low-dimensional nanomaterials. These materials will be tailored to exhibit unique electronic properties, charge mobility and/or electron spin-based structure. The diversity of precursors affords the formation of covalent structures, including artificial graphene, porous 2D polymers, and 1D/2D polymers with semiconducting properties suitable for carbon-based nanoelectronics, low-dimensional materials with ordered electron-spin sites for spintronics, and synthetic inorganic 2D materials for energy and optical applications, among others. The crystallinity and large domain size of the obtained materials make them promising candidates for integration in technological applications. This research provides a novel approach for designing the next generation of graphene-like nanomaterials with the potential to be integrated in nanoelectronics. The requested instruments will also offer the main infrastructure for the training of highly qualified personnel and their research in the fabrication of nanomaterials. The novel nanomaterials with unique electronic properties will have significant impact in science and technology, both in Canada and globally.