Queensland University of Technology (AU)

Specific examples of QUT experience include: Seminal STM studies of the growth on patterned surfaces, First atomic resolved images of polymer-wrapped nanotubes, Local electronic properties of polymer-nanotube assembly Research group in QUT has made significant progress in the detailed STM study of the of P3HT arrangement around nanotubes of their electronic structure by using Scanning Tunnelling Spectroscopy. The study of this effect in different polymer-nanotube assembly will lead to the opening of new avenues for the practical applications of these materials in solar cells and sensors. In the last two years the group has increased the number of publication in the area of sensor nanomaterials, working on metal oxides nanostructures, nanotubes and polymer coating.

List of five recent publications related to the project
  1. N. Motta. et al. Regioregular Poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) diodes direct polarisation0 study at room temperature . Appl. Phys. Lett. 94, 083302. (2009).
  2. N. Motta. et al. Regioregular poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) helical self-organization on carbon nanotubes Appl Phys Lett. 95, 013304. (2009).
  3. N. Motta. et al. Poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) coil-wrapped Single Wall Carbon Nanotube investigated by Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy. Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 143116 (2009)
  4. N. Motta. et al. Carbon nanotube synthesis from germanium nanoparticles on patterned substrates. Journal of Noncrystalline Solids 356 (37-40), 1972-1975 (2010)
  5. N. Motta. et al. Temperature and electric field dependent mobility in Poly(3-hexyl-thiophene) diodes. Journal of Applied Physics. 108 (1) 014512 (2010).

The multidisciplinary group at QUT incorporates researchers with backgrounds in chemistry, physics, materials science, mathematics and biology, and has an outstanding track record of translating new scientific discoveries and understanding into high tech products. Gas sensor is a research area rapidly expanding at QUT.Central to this proposal is the MULTISCAN LAB XP UHV-SPM, part of the AMMRF and just installed at QUT. This is a unique instrument, built around a UHV Scanning Tunneling Microscope (including atomic resolution AFM) coupled to a powerful optical microscope used to locate the region to analyze with a precision better than 10mm. In the same chamber there is a Field Emission SEM capable of Scanning Auger and an XPS to analyze the sample composition. A gas nozzle allows gas dosing on the sample under the STM tip, allowing atomic resolution imaging of the molecular effects of gas molecules on the surface. QUT new science and technology precinct http://www.qut.edu.au/scitechprecinct/, opening mid 2012 will add new world class instrumentation available to this program, including microscopy and microanalysis, chemistry, physics, and engineering laboratories equipped with clean room facilities.