Objective

To gain insight about the mechanisms that lead to the formation of nanowire formation on solid surfaces and to identify the structure, composition and magnetic properties of nanowires.

Approach

A multi-technique surface science approach that employed in situ low energy electon microscopy (LEEM) and diffraction (LEED) for real time studies of growth, structure and morphology, X-ray Photoemission Electron Microscopy (XPEEM) and microprobe X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (μXPS) for chemical characterization and X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism Photoemission Electron Microscopy (XMCD-PEEM) for magnetic characterization.

Impact

The physical vapor-solid reaction method to the fabrication of Fe3S4 nanowires avoids formation of unwanted reaction products that are produced by the usual wet chemical synthesis methods.  Fe3S4 nanomaterials have potential use as negative electrodes in nickel-metal hydride batteries, as catalyst for CO2 conversion into organic compounds, and for magnetic resonance imaging and other applications.

Contact

Michael Altman, Professor of Physics
Email: phaltman@ust.hk