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Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2022) | Viewed by 15688

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
Interests: nanofabrication; nanoelectronics; nanomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanoscale materials and applications now occupy a central role in research and commercial products ranging from electronics and biotechnology to automobiles and aircrafts. The field continues to grow at a rapid pace fueled by a global effort—involving governments, academia and industry—that has been enabled by advances in nanofabrication, which underpins the application of nanoscale materials. A key challenge in nanofabrication is the control and integration of structures as desired in order to deliver novel materials and applications at the nanoscale (~1 to 100 nm). By controllably assembling nanomaterials, their excellent properties can be harnessed for enhanced performance and emerging applications in computing, information technology, energy, sensing, health and security.

This Special Issue highlights recent advances in nanoscale assembly and integration of nanomaterials for next-generation technology in a broad range of fields—submissions are welcome that demonstrate (via experiment, theory and/or simulation) the incorporation or assembly of nanostructures for applications in areas including electronics, photonics, photovoltaics, sensing, energy storage, composites and coatings.

Prof. Chris Papadopoulos
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanofabrication
  • nanotechnology
  • electronics
  • photovoltaics
  • nanomaterials
  • nanostructures
  • self-assembly
  • nanoparticles
  • sensors
  • photonics
  • energy storage
  • quantum dots
  • carbon nanotubes
  • semiconductors
  • nanowires
  • graphene
  • colloids
  • nanoscale synthesis
  • nanostructured films and coatings
  • molecular devices
  • nanoelectromechanical systems
  • nanocomposites
  • nanobiotechnology

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 152 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue on Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications
by Chris Papadopoulos
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(17), 8442; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12178442 - 24 Aug 2022
Viewed by 828
Abstract
The field of nanoscale science and technology has grown rapidly in the past few decades and now plays an important role in many areas, from fundamental scientific research to current and emerging applications in electronics, computing, biotechnology, energy and composite materials [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications)

Research

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20 pages, 20888 KiB  
Article
Anodic Alumina Membranes: From Electrochemical Growth to Use as Template for Fabrication of Nanostructured Electrodes
by Bernardo Patella, Salvatore Piazza, Carmelo Sunseri and Rosalinda Inguanta
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 869; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020869 - 15 Jan 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2945
Abstract
The great success of anodic alumina membranes is due to their morphological features coupled to both thermal and chemical stability. The electrochemical fabrication allows accurate control of the porous structure: in fact, the membrane morphological characteristics (pore length, pore diameter and cell density) [...] Read more.
The great success of anodic alumina membranes is due to their morphological features coupled to both thermal and chemical stability. The electrochemical fabrication allows accurate control of the porous structure: in fact, the membrane morphological characteristics (pore length, pore diameter and cell density) can be controlled by adjusting the anodizing parameters (bath, temperature, voltage and time). This article deals with both the fabrication and use of anodic alumina membranes. In particular, we will show the specific role of the addition of aluminum ions to phosphoric acid-based anodizing solution in modifying the morphology of anodic alumina membranes. Anodic alumina membranes were obtained at −1 °C in aqueous solutions of 0.4 M H3PO4 added with different amounts of Al(OH)3. For sake of completeness, the formation of PAA in pure 0.4 M H3PO4 in otherwise identical conditions was also investigated. We found that the presence of Al(OH)3 in solution highly affects the morphology of the porous layer. In particular, at high Al(OH)3 concentration (close to saturation) more compact porous layers were formed with narrow pores separated by thick oxide. The increase in the electric charge from 20 to 160 C cm−2 also contributes to modifying the morphology of porous oxide. The obtained anodic alumina membranes were used as a template to fabricate a regular array of PdCo alloy nanowires that is a valid alternative to Pt for hydrogen evolution reaction. The PdCo alloy was obtained by electrodeposition and we found that the composition of the nanowires depends on the concentration of two metals in the deposition solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications)
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12 pages, 3303 KiB  
Article
Post-Annealing Effects on the Structure and Semiconductor Performance of Nanocrystalline ZnTe Thin Films Electrodeposited from an Aqueous Solution Containing Citric Acid
by Jun Ohta and Takeshi Ohgai
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(22), 10632; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210632 - 11 Nov 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1879
Abstract
Using the potentiostatic electrodeposition technique, zinc telluride nanocrystalline thin films and an array of nanowires were synthesized in a citric acid bath. Electrodeposited zinc telluride thin films with stoichiometric compositions were obtained at a cathode potential of approximately −0.8 V versus Ag/AgCl, which [...] Read more.
Using the potentiostatic electrodeposition technique, zinc telluride nanocrystalline thin films and an array of nanowires were synthesized in a citric acid bath. Electrodeposited zinc telluride thin films with stoichiometric compositions were obtained at a cathode potential of approximately −0.8 V versus Ag/AgCl, which was in a more noble region compared with the equilibrium potential of zinc. The average thickness of the zinc telluride thin films was approximately 3 μm, and the average growth rate was approximately 3 nm s−1. The as-deposited zinc telluride thin films had an amorphous phase with a black tint. By contrast, the zinc telluride thin films annealed at 683 K had a crystalline phase with a reddish-brown tint. The electrodeposited single-phase zinc telluride exhibited an optical absorption performance in a wavelength region that was shorter than 559 nm. At the annealing temperature of 683 K, the zinc telluride films exhibited an energy band gap of 2.3 eV, which was almost identical to that of single-crystal zinc telluride. The resistivity of the as-deposited amorphous-like zinc telluride thin films was approximately 2 × 105 Ω·m, whereas that of the samples annealed at 683 K was around 2 × 103 Ω·m, which was smaller than that of single-crystal zinc telluride. A three-dimensional nanostructure constructed with the zinc telluride nanowire array was also demonstrated using a template synthesis technique. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications)
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7 pages, 3613 KiB  
Article
Cryo-Focused Ion Beam-Induced Deposition of Tungsten–Carbon Nanostructures Using a Thermoelectric Plate
by Pablo Orús, Fabian Sigloch, Soraya Sangiao and José María De Teresa
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10123; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112110123 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2231
Abstract
Focused Ion Beam-Induced Deposition (FIBID) is a single-step nanopatterning technique that applies a focused beam of ions to induce the decomposition of a gaseous precursor. The processing rate of FIBID increases by two orders of magnitude when the process is performed at cryogenic [...] Read more.
Focused Ion Beam-Induced Deposition (FIBID) is a single-step nanopatterning technique that applies a focused beam of ions to induce the decomposition of a gaseous precursor. The processing rate of FIBID increases by two orders of magnitude when the process is performed at cryogenic temperatures (Cryo-FIBID): the precursor forms a condensed layer on the surface of the cooled substrate, greatly enhancing the amount of material available for decomposition. Cryo-FIBID has been achieved so far by making use of liquid nitrogen-based cooling circuits, which require the passage of a flowing gas as a cooling agent. Here, the Cryo-FIBID of the W(CO)6 precursor is performed using a coolant-free thermoelectric plate utilizing the Peltier effect. Performed at −60 C, the procedure yields a W–C-based material with structural and electrical properties comparable to those of its counterpart grown in coolant-based Cryo-FIBID. The use of the thermoelectric plate significantly reduces the vibrations and sample drift induced by the flow of passing coolant gas and allows for the fabrication of similar nanostructures. In summary, the reported process represents a further step towards the practical implementation of the Cryo-FIBID technique, and it will facilitate its use by a broader research community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications)
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17 pages, 2999 KiB  
Article
Thin Film Gas Sensors Based on Planetary Ball-Milled Zinc Oxide Nanoinks: Effect of Milling Parameters on Sensing Performance
by Raju Sapkota, Pengjun Duan, Tanay Kumar, Anusha Venkataraman and Chris Papadopoulos
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(20), 9676; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11209676 - 17 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3006
Abstract
Planetary ball-milled zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle suspensions (nanoinks) were used to produce thin film chemiresistive gas sensors that operate at room temperature. By varying milling or grinding parameters (speed, time, and solvent) different thin film gas sensors with tunable particle sizes and porosity [...] Read more.
Planetary ball-milled zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle suspensions (nanoinks) were used to produce thin film chemiresistive gas sensors that operate at room temperature. By varying milling or grinding parameters (speed, time, and solvent) different thin film gas sensors with tunable particle sizes and porosity were fabricated and tested with dry air/oxygen against hydrogen, argon, and methane target species, in addition to relative humidity, under ambient light conditions. Grinding speeds of up to 1000 rpm produced particle sizes and RMS thin film roughness below 100 nm, as measured by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and X-ray analysis confirmed the purity and structure of the resulting ZnO nanoparticles. Gas sensor response at room temperature was found to peak for nanoinks milled at 400 rpm and for 30 min in ethylene glycol and deionized water, which could be correlated to an increased film porosity and enhanced variation in electron concentration resulting from adsorption/desorption of oxygen ions on the surfaces of ZnO nanoparticles. Sensor response and dynamic behavior was found to improve as the temperature was increased, peaking between 100 and 150 °C. This work demonstrates the use of low-cost PBM nanoinks as the active materials for solution-processed thin film gas/humidity sensors for use in environmental, medical, food packaging, laboratory, and industrial applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications)
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Review

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32 pages, 4683 KiB  
Review
Electrochemical Sandwich Assays for Biomarkers Incorporating Aptamers, Antibodies and Nanomaterials for Detection of Specific Protein Biomarkers
by Dharmendra Neupane and Keith J. Stine
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7087; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11157087 - 31 Jul 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3951
Abstract
The development of sensitive and selective assays for protein biomarkers and other biological analytes is important for advancing the fields of clinical diagnostics and bioanalytical chemistry. The potential advantages of using aptamers in electrochemical sandwich assays are being increasingly recognized. These assays may [...] Read more.
The development of sensitive and selective assays for protein biomarkers and other biological analytes is important for advancing the fields of clinical diagnostics and bioanalytical chemistry. The potential advantages of using aptamers in electrochemical sandwich assays are being increasingly recognized. These assays may include an aptamer as both capture and detection agent or a combination of an aptamer with a different partner such as an antibody, a lectin or a nanomaterial. The second binding partner in the sandwich structure is typically conjugated to a redox marker, a catalyst or an enzyme that can be used to generate the signal needed for electrochemical detection. Nanoparticles and other nanostructures can be used as the carriers for multiple molecules of the detection partner and thereby increase the signal. Nanostructured surfaces can be used to increase surface area and improve electron transfer. Sensitive electrochemical methods including impedance, differential and square-wave voltammetry and chronocoulometry have been used for electrochemical signal read-out. Impressive results have been achieved using electrochemical sandwich assays in terms of limit of detection and linear range for a growing range of analytes. The recent progress for this type of assay for proteins and other biomarkers is the subject of this review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoscale Assembly and Integration for Applications)
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