Recent studies have indicated that nickel gallium alloys can be effective for the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. To simplify the characterization of NiGa catalysts, we are developing model systems using NiGa thin films. We prepared NiGa thin films by RF magnetron sputtering using an equiatomic alloy target, followed...
Hafnium Oxide thin films has had growing attention due hafnium oxide being used as a gate dielectric for MOSFET transistors and a potential next generation photoresist for sub 20 nm patterns. Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) lithography has been identified as the primary candidate technology for generation of sub-20 nm patterns. Current...
Cobalt germanides have been widely studied as semiconductor contact materials, but recent theoretical studies suggest that they may also be excellent catalysts for methane steam reforming with stabilities and activities comparable to noble metal catalysts. In order to study the catalytic activity of cobalt germanides, it is critical to first...
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has potential applications as a low-cost catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Defects on MoS2, such as edge sites and sulfur vacancies, are known to be the major active sites for HER. Controlling the formation of these defects allows for the enhancement in reactivity of MoS2...
Ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to study the initial stages of dry thermal oxidation of Si₀.₆₀Ge₀.₄₀(001) grown epitaxially on Si(001). Chemical state resolved AP-XPS was performed at temperatures up to 300 ˚C and O₂ pressures up to 1 mbar. Comparisons were made to Si(001) and Ge(001). The Si...
Advances in energy technologies and electronics have typically occurred through either heightened performance or cost reduction. This dissertation explores both routes through a series of fundamental material studies that may contribute to the enabling of next generation devices. Solution based syntheses and deposition of chemical products offer a low cost...