Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Clarkson University
Master’s Thesis Defense
Aryan Najjari
Will speak on:
Decoding Synthesis Strategies of Nanomaterials with Computational Tools: A Case Study to Identify Experimental Conditions of Silver Nanowires
Abstract: Nanomaterials have been used in diverse fields such as energy storge and drug delivery due to their superior structural properties. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are one kind of such materials for various applications, including solar panel cells and biosensors. However, the morphology of AgNWs, such as length and diameter, plays an important role in determining energy storage system efficiency and biosensor transmittance, thus necessitating strategies for tight morphology control. This study focuses on the synthesis of AgNWs using the solvothermal approach and investigates the individual and combined effects of three nucleants—NaCl, Fe(NO3)3 and NaBr, and—on AgNWs morphology. By carefully selecting nucleant concentrations in a modified successive multistep growth (SMG) method, AgNWs synthesized have a large aspect ratio with minimal nanoparticles and nanorods. Specifically, AgNWs of approximately 180 µm length and 40 nm diameter were formed, thus resulting in an aspect ratio of 4500. In addition, various combinations of nucleant concentrations were studied to tailor the morphology during experimentation. However, challenges arose because some samples, due to the presence of silver nanoparticles, proved unsuitable for applications requiring AgNWs. Consequently, a rigorous assessment of sample quality became imperative, contingent upon the nature and concentration of the nucleants used. To address this, computational tools using MATLAB were further developed. Particularly, the in-house developed tools can automatically analyze scanning electron microscope (SEM) images for identifying silver nanoparticles. This automated method not only significantly enhances efficiency and precision, but also provides a comprehensive quantitative analysis tool for materials characterization. The cost-effective and reliable nature of this approach in long term facilitates the evaluation of diverse AgNWs samples, thus paving the way for advancements in their synthesis and application.
Date: Dec 5th, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: CAMP 250
Zoom link: https://clarkson.zoom.us/j/93625204478?pwd=dE93dE5pcmZOOVY4TG9ZWGRjRUpEZz09
Advisor: Dr. Yuncheng Du
Committee Members: Dr. Simona Liguori and Dr. Elizabeth Podlaha-Murphy