Designing Components and Devices with Physical and Electrical Characteristics Not Attainable with Currently Available Materials

SLU ID 21-014 | Direct method synthesis of zinc oxide nanowires on single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene surfaces

Background

Nanomaterials are materials in which at least one of their dimensions is sized between 1 and 1,000 nanometers (i.e., 10-9 meters). Nanoscale typically refers to materials in which at least one of their dimensions is sized between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm). Traditional methods for producing nanomaterials employ lithographic techniques that are more expensive and require polymer masks. Moreover, they do not have the capability to prepare materials directly at a pre-defined location on substrates or devices.

Overview

Researchers at Saint Louis University have developed a simplified method to produce zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) directly on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (Gr) surfaces to form 1D-1D and 1D-2D heterostructured interfaces. The method achieves high-quality materials growth and scalable production of different architectures.

Benefits

The potential benefits of this technology include:

• minimizing the growth periods needed to produce nanomaterials

• minimizing the number of process steps needed to produce nanomaterials

• increasing the quality of crystal structures in nanomaterials

• increasing the control over the electrical properties of nanomaterials

Applications

Potential applications of this technology include:

• photocatalysts

• supercapacitors

• solar cells

• piezoelectric or thermal actuators

• chemical sensors

• biological sensors

Opportunity

Saint Louis University is seeking a partner to further develop and commercialize this technology.