materials-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Special Issue "Optical Characterization of Novel Photonic Nanocomposite and Optically Active Nanomaterials"

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2023 | Viewed by 5328

Special Issue Editors

Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, 2 Dublin, Ireland
Interests: infrared and Raman spectroscopy of condensed matter; semiconductor quantum dots; silicon photonic crystals; 2D materials; metal nanoparticles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. D02 PN40, Ireland
Interests: quantum dots; magnetic nanomaterials; carbon nanomaterials; nano-bio-technology; biological imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Interests: optics; photonics; nanostructures; nanotechnology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the range of novel optical nanomaterials based on semiconductor nanocrystals of different shapes (quantum dots, wires, platelets) and metal nanostructures, which demonstrate unique properties. The unique optical properties of these materials allow them to be used in a wide range of photonic and plasmonic applications, including advanced light sources, photonic circuitry with novel architectures, photovoltaics, sensing, and bioimaging. The technology of synthesis and fabrication of these new composite materials requires knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the chemical structure and interactions in these systems, as well as knowledge of their optical characteristics suitable for specific applications. This Special Issue will be devoted to optical characterizations of new nanocomposites and optically active materials, including the use of UV-VIS, CD, infrared, and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Original research papers and review articles related to the above-mentioned areas are cordially invited.

Prof. Dr. Tatiana Perova
Prof. Dr. Yurii Gun'ko
Prof. Dr. Alexander Baranov
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Materials 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 2300 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

  • infrared and Raman spectroscopy of condensed matter
  • semiconductor quantum dots
  • silicon photonic crystals
  • 2D materials
  • metal nanoparticles

Published Papers (7 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Article
XRD and Spectroscopic Investigations of ZIF—Microchannel Glass Plates Composites
Materials 2023, 16(6), 2410; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062410 - 17 Mar 2023
Viewed by 236
Abstract
In this study, new composite materials comprising zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) structures and microchannel glass (MCG) plates were fabricated using the hydrothermal method and their morphological and spectral properties were investigated using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. XRD studies of powder samples [...] Read more.
In this study, new composite materials comprising zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) structures and microchannel glass (MCG) plates were fabricated using the hydrothermal method and their morphological and spectral properties were investigated using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. XRD studies of powder samples revealed the presence of an additional phase for a ZIF-8 sample, whereas ZIF-67 samples, which were prepared through two different chemical routes, showed no additional phases. A detailed analysis of the FTIR and micro-Raman spectra of the composite samples revealed the formation of stable ZIF structures inside the macropores of the MCG substrate. The hydrophilic nature of the MCG substrate and its interaction with the ZIF structure resulted in the formation of stable ZIF-MCG composites. We believe that these composite materials may find a wide range of important applications in the field of sensors, molecular sieving. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Multi-Frequency Light Sources Based on CVD Diamond Matrices with a Mix of SiV and GeV Color Centers and Tungsten Complexes
Materials 2022, 15(23), 8510; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238510 - 29 Nov 2022
Viewed by 513
Abstract
Recently, nanodiamonds with negatively charged luminescent color centers based on atoms of the fourth group (SiV, GeV) have been proposed for use as biocompatible luminescent markers. Further improvement of the functionality of such systems by expanding the frequencies of [...] Read more.
Recently, nanodiamonds with negatively charged luminescent color centers based on atoms of the fourth group (SiV, GeV) have been proposed for use as biocompatible luminescent markers. Further improvement of the functionality of such systems by expanding the frequencies of the emission can be achieved by the additional formation of luminescent tungsten complexes in the diamond matrix. This paper reports the creation of diamond matrices by a hot filament chemical vapor deposition method, containing combinations of luminescing Si-V and Ge-V color centers and tungsten complexes. The possibility is demonstrated of creating a multicolor light source combining the luminescence of all embedded emitters. The emission properties of tungsten complexes and Si-V and Ge-V color centers in the diamond matrices were investigated, as well as differences in their luminescent properties and electron-phonon interaction at different temperatures. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Article
Nanostructured Luminescent Gratings for Sensorics
Materials 2022, 15(22), 8195; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15228195 - 18 Nov 2022
Viewed by 495
Abstract
Two-dimensional holographic structures based on photopolymer compositions with luminescent nanoparticles, such as quantum dots, are promising candidates for multiresponsive luminescence sensors. However, their applicability may suffer from the incompatibility of the components, and hence aggregation of the nanoparticles. We showed that the replacement [...] Read more.
Two-dimensional holographic structures based on photopolymer compositions with luminescent nanoparticles, such as quantum dots, are promising candidates for multiresponsive luminescence sensors. However, their applicability may suffer from the incompatibility of the components, and hence aggregation of the nanoparticles. We showed that the replacement of an organic shell at the CdSe/ZnS quantum dots’ surface with monomer molecules of the photopolymerizable medium achieved full compatibility with the surrounding medium. The effect was demonstrated by luminescence spectroscopy, and steady-state and time-resolved luminescent laser scanning microscopy. We observed the complete spectral independence of local photoluminescence decay, thus proving the absence of even nanoscale aggregation, either in the liquid composition or in the nodes and antinodes of the grating. Therefore, nanostructured luminescent photopolymer gratings with monomer-covered quantum dots can act as hybrid diffractive–luminescent sensor elements. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Engineering the Optical Properties of CsPbBr3 Nanoplatelets through Cd2+ Doping
Materials 2022, 15(21), 7676; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15217676 - 01 Nov 2022
Viewed by 819
Abstract
Lead halide perovskite nanoplatelets (NPls) attract significant attention due to their exceptional and tunable optical properties. Doping is a versatile strategy for modifying and improving the optical properties of colloidal nanostructures. However, the protocols for B-site doping have been rarely reported for 2D [...] Read more.
Lead halide perovskite nanoplatelets (NPls) attract significant attention due to their exceptional and tunable optical properties. Doping is a versatile strategy for modifying and improving the optical properties of colloidal nanostructures. However, the protocols for B-site doping have been rarely reported for 2D perovskite NPls. In this work, we investigated the post-synthetic treatment of CsPbBr3 NPls with different Cd2+ sources. We show that the interplay between Cd2+ precursor, NPl concentrations, and ligands determines the kinetics of the doping process. Optimization of the treatment allows for the boosting of linear and nonlinear optical properties of CsPbBr3 NPls via doping or/and surface passivation. At a moderate doping level, both the photoluminescence quantum yield and two-photon absorption cross section increase dramatically. The developed protocols of post-synthetic treatment with Cd2+ facilitate further utilization of perovskite NPls in nonlinear optics, photonics, and lightning. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Formation of Gold Nanoparticle Self-Assembling Films in Various Polymer Matrices for SERS Substrates
Materials 2022, 15(15), 5197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155197 - 27 Jul 2022
Viewed by 776
Abstract
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is regarded as a versatile tool for studying the composition and structure of matter. This work has studied the preparation of a SERS substrate based on a self-assembling plasmonic nanoparticle film (SPF) in a polymer matrix. Several synthesis parameters [...] Read more.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is regarded as a versatile tool for studying the composition and structure of matter. This work has studied the preparation of a SERS substrate based on a self-assembling plasmonic nanoparticle film (SPF) in a polymer matrix. Several synthesis parameters for the SPF are investigated, including the size of the particles making up the film and the concentration and type of the self-assembling agent. The result of testing systems with different characteristics is discussed using a model substance (pseudoisocyanin iodide). These models can be useful in the study of biology and chemistry. Research results contain the optimal parameters for SPF synthesis, maximizing the SERS signal. The optimal procedure for SPF assembly is determined and used for the synthesis of composite SPFs within different polymer matrices. SPF in a polymer matrix is necessary for the routine use of the SERS substrate for various types of analytes, including solid samples or those sensitive to contamination. Polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyethylene are investigated to obtain a polymer matrix for SPF, and various methods of incorporating SPF into a polymer matrix are being explored. It is found that films with the best signal enhancement and reproducibility were obtained in polystyrene. The minimum detectable concentration for the SERS substrate obtained is equal to 10−10 M. We prepared a SERS substrate with an analytical enhancement factor of 2.7 × 104, allowing an increase in the detection sensitivity of analyte solutions of five orders of magnitude. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Duo Emission of CVD Nanodiamonds Doped by SiV and GeV Color Centers: Effects of Growth Conditions
Materials 2022, 15(10), 3589; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15103589 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 910
Abstract
The investigation of the hot filament chemical vapor deposition nanodiamonds with simultaneously embedded luminescent GeV and SiV color centers from solid sources showed that both the absolute and relative intensities of their zero-phonon lines (at 602 and 738 nm) depend on [...] Read more.
The investigation of the hot filament chemical vapor deposition nanodiamonds with simultaneously embedded luminescent GeV and SiV color centers from solid sources showed that both the absolute and relative intensities of their zero-phonon lines (at 602 and 738 nm) depend on nanodiamond growth conditions (a methane concentration in the CH4/H2 gas mixture, growth temperature, and time). It is shown that a controlled choice of parameters of hot filament chemical vapor deposition synthesis makes it possible to select the optimal synthesis conditions for tailoring bicolor fluorescence nanodiamond labels for imaging biological systems. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Further Increasing the Accuracy of Characterization of a Thin Dielectric or Semiconductor Film on a Substrate from Its Interference Transmittance Spectrum
Materials 2021, 14(16), 4681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14164681 - 19 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 940
Abstract
Three means are investigated for further increasing the accuracy of the characterization of a thin film on a substrate, from the transmittance spectrum T(λ) of the specimen, based on the envelope method. Firstly, it is demonstrated that the accuracy of [...] Read more.
Three means are investigated for further increasing the accuracy of the characterization of a thin film on a substrate, from the transmittance spectrum T(λ) of the specimen, based on the envelope method. Firstly, it is demonstrated that the accuracy of characterization, of the average film thickness d¯ and the thickness non-uniformity ∆d over the illuminated area, increases, employing a simple dual transformation utilizing the product T(λ)xs(λ), where Tsm(λ) is the smoothed spectrum of T(λ) and xs(λ) is the substrate absorbance. Secondly, an approach is proposed for selecting an interval of wavelengths, so that using envelope points only from this interval provides the most accurate characterization of d¯ and ∆d, as this approach is applicable no matter whether the substrate is transparent or non-transparent. Thirdly, the refractive index n(λ) and the extinction coefficient k(λ) are computed, employing curve fitting by polynomials of the optimized degree of 1/λ, instead of by previously used either polynomial of the optimized degree of λ or a two-term exponential of λ. An algorithm is developed, applying these three means, and implemented, to characterize a-Si and As98Te2 thin films. Record high accuracy within 0.1% is achieved in the computation of d¯ and n(λ) of these films. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop