Plasma nanoscience : setting directions, tackling grand challenges
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present historical perspectives, recent advances and future directions in the multidisciplinary research field of plasma nanoscience using a three-dimensional framework and discuss the most important classes of nanoscale objects (nanostructures, nanofeatures and nanoassemblies/nanoarchitectures) and materials systems.
Abstract: This review paper presents historical perspectives, recent advances and future directions in the multidisciplinary research field of plasma nanoscience The current status and future challenges are presented using a three-dimensional framework The first and the largest dimension covers the most important classes of nanoscale objects (nanostructures, nanofeatures and nanoassemblies/nanoarchitectures) and materials systems, namely carbon nanotubes, nanofibres, graphene, graphene nanoribbons, graphene nanoflakes, nanodiamond and related carbon-based nanostructures; metal, silicon and other inorganic nanoparticles and nanostructures; soft organic nanomaterials; nano-biomaterials; biological objects and nanoscale plasma etching In the second dimension, we discuss the most common types of plasmas and plasma reactors used in nanoscale plasma synthesis and processing These include low-temperature non-equilibrium plasmas at low and high pressures, thermal plasmas, high-pressure microplasmas, plasmas in liquids and plasma–liquid interactions, high-energy-density plasmas, and ionized physical vapour deposition as well as some other plasma-enhanced nanofabrication techniques In the third dimension, we outline some of the 'Grand Science Challenges' and 'Grand Socio-economic Challenges' to which significant contributions from plasma nanoscience-related research can be expected in the near future The urgent need for a stronger focus on practical, outcome-oriented research to tackle the grand challenges is emphasized and concisely formulated as from controlled complexity to practical simplicity in solving grand challenges
Citations
More filters
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, a few and single-layered BN nanoribbons, mostly terminated with zigzag edges, can be produced under unwrapping multi-walled Bn nanotubes through plasma etching.
Abstract: Inspired by rich physics and functionalities of graphenes, scientists have taken an intensive interest in two-dimensional (2D) crystals of h-BN (analogue of graphite, so-called "white" graphite). Recent calculations have predicted the exciting potentials of BN nanoribbons in spintronics due to tunable magnetic and electrical properties; however no experimental evidence has been provided since fabrication of such ribbons remains a challenge. Here, we show that few- and single-layered BN nanoribbons, mostly terminated with zigzag edges, can be produced under unwrapping multiwalled BN nanotubes through plasma etching. The interesting stepwise unwrapping and intermediate states were observed and analyzed. Opposed to insulating primal tubes, the nanoribbons become semiconducting due to doping-like conducting edge states and vacancy defects, as revealed by structural analyses and ab initio simulations. This study paves the way for BN nanoribbon production and usage as functional semiconductors with a wide range of applications in optoelectronics and spintronics.
577 citations
TL;DR: This review aims to understand and explain the underpinnings of the innovative concepts and strategies developed over the past decade to tune the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen storage reactions, with several promising directions and strategies that could lead to the next generation of solid-state materials for hydrogen storage applications.
Abstract: Knowledge and foundational understanding of phenomena associated with the behavior of materials at the nanoscale is one of the key scientific challenges toward a sustainable energy future. Size reduction from bulk to the nanoscale leads to a variety of exciting and anomalous phenomena due to enhanced surface-to-volume ratio, reduced transport length, and tunable nanointerfaces. Nanostructured metal hydrides are an important class of materials with significant potential for energy storage applications. Hydrogen storage in nanoscale metal hydrides has been recognized as a potentially transformative technology, and the field is now growing steadily due to the ability to tune the material properties more independently and drastically compared to those of their bulk counterparts. The numerous advantages of nanostructured metal hydrides compared to bulk include improved reversibility, altered heats of hydrogen absorption/desorption, nanointerfacial reaction pathways with faster rates, and new surface states cap...
399 citations
TL;DR: This paper attempts to summarize the state-of-the-art research on PECVD growth of VG nanosheets to provide guidelines on the design of plasma sources and operation parameters, and to offer a perspective on outstanding challenges that need to be overcome to enable commercial applications of VG.
Abstract: Vertically oriented graphene (VG) nanosheets have attracted growing interest for a wide range of applications, from energy storage, catalysis and field emission to gas sensing, due to their unique orientation, exposed sharp edges, non-stacking morphology, and huge surface-to-volume ratio. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) has emerged as a key method for VG synthesis; however, controllable growth of VG with desirable characteristics for specific applications remains a challenge. This paper attempts to summarize the state-of-the-art research on PECVD growth of VG nanosheets to provide guidelines on the design of plasma sources and operation parameters, and to offer a perspective on outstanding challenges that need to be overcome to enable commercial applications of VG. The review starts with an overview of various types of existing PECVD processes for VG growth, and then moves on to research on the influences of feedstock gas, temperature, and pressure on VG growth, substrate pretreatment, the growth of VG patterns on planar substrates, and VG growth on cylindrical and carbon nanotube (CNT) substrates. The review ends with a discussion on challenges and future directions for PECVD growth of VG.
350 citations
TL;DR: A short review of recent work on atmospheric pressure plasma interactions used in the fabrication and functionalization of nanoparticles is presented in this article, where a brief discussion of possible electron-liquid reactions highlights outstanding scientific and engineering questions.
Abstract: Plasma-induced non-equilibrium liquid chemistry (PiLC) offers enhanced opportunities over solution chemistry for developing new nanomaterials and tailoring their functional properties. Recent advances in the design and scientific understanding of microplasma devices operating at atmospheric pressure offer simple and effective routes to non-equilibrium chemistry for both scientific study and future nanomanufacturing. This paper presents a short review of our recent work on atmospheric pressure plasmaâliquid interactions used in the fabrication and functionalization of nanoparticles. A brief discussion of possible electron-liquid reactions highlights outstanding scientific and engineering questions.
242 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of plasma reactor technologies and heterogeneous catalysis application, largely into higher hydrocarbon molecules, that is ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, etc., and organic oxygenated compounds, is presented.
Abstract: CO2 and CH4 contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, while the production of industrial base chemicals from natural gas resources is emerging as well. Such conversion processes, however, are energy-intensive and introducing a renewable and sustainable electric activation seems optimal, at least for intermediate-scale modular operation. The review thus analyses such valorisation by plasma reactor technologies and heterogeneous catalysis application, largely into higher hydrocarbon molecules, that is ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, etc., and organic oxygenated compounds, i.e. methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid and dimethyl ether. Focus is given to reaction pathway mechanisms, related to the partial oxidation steps of CH4 with O2, H2O and CO2, CO2 reduction with H2, CH4 or other paraffin species, and to a lesser extent, to mixtures' dry reforming to syngas. Dielectric barrier discharge, corona, spark and gliding arc sources are considered, combined with (noble) metal materials. Carbon (C), silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) as well as various catalytic supports are examined as precious critical raw materials (e.g. platinum, palladium and rhodium) or transition metal (e.g. manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper) substrates. These are applied for turnover, such as that pertinent to reformer, (reverse) water–gas shift (WGS or RWGS) and CH3OH synthesis. Time-on-stream catalyst deactivation or reactivation is also overviewed from the viewpoint of individual transient moieties and their adsorption or desorption characteristics, as well as reactivity.
145 citations
References
More filters
TL;DR: Monocrystalline graphitic films are found to be a two-dimensional semimetal with a tiny overlap between valence and conductance bands and they exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect.
Abstract: We describe monocrystalline graphitic films, which are a few atoms thick but are nonetheless stable under ambient conditions, metallic, and of remarkably high quality. The films are found to be a two-dimensional semimetal with a tiny overlap between valence and conductance bands, and they exhibit a strong ambipolar electric field effect such that electrons and holes in concentrations up to 10 13 per square centimeter and with room-temperature mobilities of ∼10,000 square centimeters per volt-second can be induced by applying gate voltage.
55,532 citations
NEC1
TL;DR: Iijima et al. as mentioned in this paper reported the preparation of a new type of finite carbon structure consisting of needle-like tubes, which were produced using an arc-discharge evaporation method similar to that used for fullerene synthesis.
Abstract: THE synthesis of molecular carbon structures in the form of C60 and other fullerenes1 has stimulated intense interest in the structures accessible to graphitic carbon sheets. Here I report the preparation of a new type of finite carbon structure consisting of needle-like tubes. Produced using an arc-discharge evaporation method similar to that used for fullerene synthesis, the needles grow at the negative end of the electrode used for the arc discharge. Electron microscopy reveals that each needle comprises coaxial tubes of graphitic sheets, ranging in number from 2 up to about 50. On each tube the carbon-atom hexagons are arranged in a helical fashion about the needle axis. The helical pitch varies from needle to needle and from tube to tube within a single needle. It appears that this helical structure may aid the growth process. The formation of these needles, ranging from a few to a few tens of nanometres in diameter, suggests that engineering of carbon structures should be possible on scales considerably greater than those relevant to the fullerenes. On 7 November 1991, Sumio Iijima announced in Nature the preparation of nanometre-size, needle-like tubes of carbon — now familiar as 'nanotubes'. Used in microelectronic circuitry and microscopy, and as a tool to test quantum mechanics and model biological systems, nanotubes seem to have unlimited potential.
39,086 citations
TL;DR: By using micromechanical cleavage, a variety of 2D crystals including single layers of boron nitride, graphite, several dichalcogenides, and complex oxides are prepared and studied.
Abstract: We report free-standing atomic crystals that are strictly 2D and can be viewed as individual atomic planes pulled out of bulk crystals or as unrolled single-wall nanotubes. By using micromechanical cleavage, we have prepared and studied a variety of 2D crystals including single layers of boron nitride, graphite, several dichalcogenides, and complex oxides. These atomically thin sheets (essentially gigantic 2D molecules unprotected from the immediate environment) are stable under ambient conditions, exhibit high crystal quality, and are continuous on a macroscopic scale.
10,586 citations
TL;DR: There is growing evidence that aging involves, in addition, progressive changes in free radical-mediated regulatory processes that result in altered gene expression.
Abstract: At high concentrations, free radicals and radical-derived, nonradical reactive species are hazardous for living organisms and damage all major cellular constituents. At moderate concentrations, how...
9,131 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report highly efficient polymer solar cells based on a bulk heterojunction of polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) and methanofullerene.
Abstract: Converting solar energy into electricity provides a much-needed solution to the energy crisis the world is facing today. Polymer solar cells have shown potential to harness solar energy in a cost-effective way. Significant efforts are underway to improve their efficiency to the level of practical applications. Here, we report highly efficient polymer solar cells based on a bulk heterojunction of polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) and methanofullerene. Controlling the active layer growth rate results in an increased hole mobility and balanced charge transport. Together with increased absorption in the active layer, this results in much-improved device performance, particularly in external quantum efficiency. The power-conversion efficiency of 4.4% achieved here is the highest published so far for polymer-based solar cells. The solution process involved ensures that the fabrication cost remains low and the processing is simple. The high efficiency achieved in this work brings these devices one step closer to commercialization.
5,431 citations