Size-dependent photoluminescence characteristics from Ge nanocrystals embedded in different oxide matrices have been studied to demonstrate the light emission in the visible wavelength from quantum-confined charge carriers. On the other hand, the energy transfer mechanism between Er ions and Ge nanocrystals has been exploited to exhibit the emission in the optical fiber communication wavelength...

The structural and optical properties of Ge quantum dots (QDs) grown on Si(001) for mid-infrared photodetector and Ge nanocrystals embedded in oxide matrices for floating gate memory devices are presented. The infrared photoluminescence (PL) signal from Ge islands has been studied at a low temperature. The temperature- and bias-dependent photocurrent spectra of a capped Si/SiGe/Si(001) QDs infr...

A method for the synthesis of high quality indium-doped zinc oxide (In-doped ZnO) nanocrystals was developed using a one-step ester elimination reaction based on alcoholysis of metal carboxylate salts. The resulting nearly monodisperse nanocrystals are well-crystallized with typically crystal structure identical to that of wurtzite type of ZnO. Structural, optical, and elemental analyses on the...

The interaction of gold with CeO2(111) layer was investigated with photeelectron spectroscopy (PES) and by means of resonant photoelectron spectroscopy (RPES). Gold was deposited in steps onto a 1.5 nm thick CeO2(111) layer, epitaxially grown on a Cu(111) substrate. The RPES showed a partial Ce → Ce reduction, observed as a resonant enhancement of the 4f level of the Ce species. This can be exp...

We investigated the evolution of the electronic structure of cerium oxide ultrathin epitaxial films during reduction and oxidation processes using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at the Ce L3 absorption edge, a technique sensitive to the electronic configurations at the 4f levels and in the 5d band thanks to its high energy resolution. We used thermal treatments in high vacuum and in oxygen...

This work presents vertical flash memory devices with protein-assembled PbSe nanocrystals as a floating gate and Al2O3 as a control oxide. The advantage of a vertical structure is that it improves cell density. Protein assembly improves uniformity of nanocrystals, which reduces threshold voltage variation among devices. The introduction of Al2O3 as a control oxide provided lower voltage/faster ...

Interactions of nanoparticles with biological matter-both somatically and in nature-draw scientists' attention. Nanoparticulate systems are believed to be our saviors, acting as versatile drug delivery vehicles. However, they can also cause life-threatening bodily damage. One of the most important properties of nanocrystalline cerium dioxide is its antioxidant activity, which decreases the abun...

Monodisperse iron oxide nanocrystals were synthesized by a simplified method using iron chloride as precursor. In the presence of Cl ions, the as-produced iron oxide nanocrystals preferred a cubic shape with {100} facets exposed. The function of halogens including Cl and Br ions on stabilizing {100} facets of spinel structured iron oxides, rather than the regulation of thermolysis kinetics and ...

A conventional and general route has been exploited to the high yield synthesis of many kinds of highly crystalline metal oxide and mixed oxide nanocrystals with different morphologies including belt, rod, truncated-octahedron, cubic, sphere, sheet via the hydrothermal reaction of inorganic precursors in aqueous solution in the presence of bifunctional 6-aminohexanoic acid (AHA) molecules as a ...

To enable the transition away from a fossil-fuel-based energy economy, it is essential to address, in addition to energy extraction from sustainable resources, the problem of energy storage. We pursue in this work a storage strategy that relies on the capacity of selected nonstoichiometric metal oxides to uptake and release oxygen. Specifically, doped cerium oxide (ceria), a relatively abundant...