In April 2016 Manchester eScholar was replaced by the University of Manchester’s new Research Information Management System, Pure. In the autumn the University’s research outputs will be available to search and browse via a new Research Portal. Until then the University’s full publication record can be accessed via a temporary portal and the old eScholar content is available to search and browse via this archive.

Exfoliation and Synthesis of Two-Dimensional Semiconductor Nanomaterials

Brent, John Robert

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2017.

Access to files

Abstract

2-Dimensional (2D) materials are characterised by atomic thickness and significantly larger edge-lengths, producing particles which are highly confined in 1 direction. Reducing a material to one or few atomic layers gives rise to structural and electronic properties that deviate significantly from those of the bulk crystal. For this reason 2D nanosheets have been investigated for potential application in sensing, catalysis, capacitance, photovoltaics and for flexible circuits (among others).Despite rapid progress in understanding the synthesis and properties of 2D nanosheets in recent years, there remain significant problems surrounding the development of scalable production methods, understanding and tuning fundamental properties, and controlling the size and monodispersity of semiconductor crystals. In addition, new materials with novel properties are constantly sought in order to meet specific requirements. Although the tools developed over the last 12 years can often be applied to the fabrication of these materials, understanding their behaviour and limitations is ongoing.The following thesis discusses the routes to the fabrication of 2-dimensional materials and explores the production of MoS2, black phosphorus and tin(II) sulfide nanosheets. The aim of each piece of work is determined by the level of development of the field; MoS2 nanosheets have been known for several years and therefore the work presented was motivated by a desire to impart size control for specific applications.The study of phosphorene and 2D tin(II) sulfide is in its infancy; as such the focus remains on scalable nanosheet exfoliation and developing an understanding of their properties. The following studies on phosphorene report the exfoliation of nanosheets in organic and aqueous surfactant solutions and an investigation of the stability and breakdown products of the resulting colloidal suspensions. The stabilisation of phosphorene in aqueous media paves the way for its use in biological systems. Band-gap tuning in IV-VI analogues of phosphorene is demonstrated by size-selection of exfoliated SnS nanosheets.Although the physical characteristics of nanosheets and their incorporation into devices receive some attention, this thesis will focus mainly on the synthetic aspects of 2D materials research.

Bibliographic metadata

Type of resource:
Content type:
Form of thesis:
Type of submission:
Degree type:
Doctor of Philosophy
Degree programme:
PhD Materials (42 months)
Publication date:
Location:
Manchester, UK
Total pages:
223
Abstract:
2-Dimensional (2D) materials are characterised by atomic thickness and significantly larger edge-lengths, producing particles which are highly confined in 1 direction. Reducing a material to one or few atomic layers gives rise to structural and electronic properties that deviate significantly from those of the bulk crystal. For this reason 2D nanosheets have been investigated for potential application in sensing, catalysis, capacitance, photovoltaics and for flexible circuits (among others).Despite rapid progress in understanding the synthesis and properties of 2D nanosheets in recent years, there remain significant problems surrounding the development of scalable production methods, understanding and tuning fundamental properties, and controlling the size and monodispersity of semiconductor crystals. In addition, new materials with novel properties are constantly sought in order to meet specific requirements. Although the tools developed over the last 12 years can often be applied to the fabrication of these materials, understanding their behaviour and limitations is ongoing.The following thesis discusses the routes to the fabrication of 2-dimensional materials and explores the production of MoS2, black phosphorus and tin(II) sulfide nanosheets. The aim of each piece of work is determined by the level of development of the field; MoS2 nanosheets have been known for several years and therefore the work presented was motivated by a desire to impart size control for specific applications.The study of phosphorene and 2D tin(II) sulfide is in its infancy; as such the focus remains on scalable nanosheet exfoliation and developing an understanding of their properties. The following studies on phosphorene report the exfoliation of nanosheets in organic and aqueous surfactant solutions and an investigation of the stability and breakdown products of the resulting colloidal suspensions. The stabilisation of phosphorene in aqueous media paves the way for its use in biological systems. Band-gap tuning in IV-VI analogues of phosphorene is demonstrated by size-selection of exfoliated SnS nanosheets.Although the physical characteristics of nanosheets and their incorporation into devices receive some attention, this thesis will focus mainly on the synthetic aspects of 2D materials research.
Thesis main supervisor(s):
Thesis co-supervisor(s):
Language:
en

Institutional metadata

University researcher(s):

Record metadata

Manchester eScholar ID:
uk-ac-man-scw:307448
Created by:
Brent, John
Created:
15th February, 2017, 14:18:37
Last modified by:
Brent, John
Last modified:
3rd November, 2017, 11:17:59

Can we help?

The library chat service will be available from 11am-3pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). You can also email your enquiry to us.