Edgar Sanchez

4916026

ASSIGNMENT 2
NANOFABRICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Edgar Sanchez - 4916026
Question 1
Nanocharacterisation is an important part of developing nanofabricated materials.
Provide an overview in 2 to 3 sentences each 2 surface chemical and 2 surface
morphology/topographical nanocharacterisation techniques. Provide references with
you answer.
Nanocharacterisation is definitely one of the most important part of developing
nanofabricated materials because through this, it is possible to define the description of
the nanoparticles based on the arrangement, size and chemical composition of these
particles and so, finding applications to these developed nanofabricated materials.
There are two types of identification of nanomaterials and can be carried out through
this two major techniques: Surface Chemical and Surface Morphology/Topographical
and both involve surface analysis or bulk analysis.
Nanocharacterisation

Surface
Chemical

Surface
Morphology /
Topographical

Description.
It is the most popular technique for chemical
nanocharacterisation applied on the surface of
nanomaterials. It is also known as Electron
Xray
Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis ESCA.
It works by the incidence of X-Rays on the
photoelectron
atoms on the surface which release electrons
spectroscopy
(photoemission) with Kinetic Energy. With this
(XPS)
is possible determine all the elements present
(except He, H), oxidation state, bonding atoms,
molecular orbitals, etc.
It consist of accelerated primary ions that
impact onto the surface which releases
Secondary ion
secondary ions due to the energy of the impact.
mass spectrometry It allows us to obtain qualitative and
(SIMS)
quantitative analysis, isotopic, atomic and
molecular information, etc. And there are
Dynamic and Static SIMS.
It is a technique which consists in passing
continuously a sharp point or probe of
Atomic force
pyramidal or conical shape on the surface
microscopy
which register the surface topography by
(AFM)
interaction force between the probe and the
surface.
Scanning
It is a technique which consists in placing a
tunnelling
small probe 10A to the surface and applying a

Edgar Sanchez
4916026

microscopy
(STM)

voltage between the surface and the probe, so

the atoms can be visualized with a resolution
of 0.1nm x 0.01nm (good) and can be executed
on different environments such as vacuum,
water, air, etc.

Question 2
Nanoparticles are exploited in many ways because of their unique properties. Describe
in 3-4 sentences three application areas of nanoparticles, including an explanation as to
why they have unique properties. Provide references with your answer.
Military: nanoparticles are being exploited in the military applications because they
represent the next level of undetectable and massive weapons. By using
nanotechnology, military field have developed not only arms, but also soldiers
protection equipment with innovative nanofabricated materials which provide better
mechanical and physical properties and low weight.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical: nanoparticles represent a new evolution in the
healthcare field by the providing a different and effective approach for attacking viruses,
curing cancer cells, blood treatment and more which ultimately signify an extension in
useful life of human beings.
Sustainability: nanoparticles are being exploited in the sustainability field by treating
human consumption water through filtration and desalination processes. This
technology is believed as the next step of water treatment due to the efficiency of
carbon nanotubes electrodes.
Question 3
There are a number of industry sectors that are now exploiting nanotechnology to make
new nanoproducts/nanomaterials. In 2 or 3 sentences please provide a description of 3
different products available on the market. Provide references with your answer.
Toothpaste: nanoparticles are present in several toothpaste brand with the purpose of
bringing dental benefits such as whitening effects, cavities protection and tooth enamel
protection.
Sun blockers: latest chemical composition of sun blockers contain titanium dioxide
(TiO2) in nanoparticles and it is used not only for making a white color to the cream,
but also for UV filter for the skin.
Bone prostheses: nanoparticles of silver (AgNPs) are highly used for bone prostheses
due to the property of reducing the possibility of bacteria growth. Besides, many
surgical instruments are also fabricated with this type of nanomaterial.
Question 4
Provide an overview of the difference between self-assembled monolayers, atomic layer
deposition and plasma polymerisation. In your answer describe the strengths and
limitations of each process. Also provide details of how you would characterise these
surfaces. Provide references with you answer.

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Difference
It is a bottom-up
technique and it
start on the atomic
scale Molecules are
Self-Assembled
deposited molecule
Monolayers (SAM) by molecule to
form
a
selfassembled
monolayer.

Atomic Layer
Deposition (ALD)

Plasma
Polymerisation

It is a Bottom-up
technique. It is also
a chemical vapour
deposition, but the
reaction occurs in
two parts (selflimiting
and
surface)

Strength
Able to apply
biologic molecules
for
creating
biological surfaces.
Covalent, polar
covalent and Ionic
boding.
Able to create a
high-quality layer
of nanomaterial.
Self-saturating
reactions with
surface.
Minimum levels of
stress and
temperature.
Good adhesion.

Limitation
Difficult to deposit
the same quantity
of molecules in
each layer.
Layer unstable.
Easy
to
be
contaminated.

It is not applicable
to any material.
The
activation
energy limits the
process.
Requires remotion
of excess precursor
and by-product.
Pre-treatment
is
required.
It is a top-down Creates a polymer Process expensive.
technique.
It layer from organic It needs a vacuum
consists in igniting compounds.
system
for
a precursor organic Easy to apply.
polymerisation.
element with a High density of Difficult
plasma
plasma discharge layer.
process.
for
creating
molecules
that
react with the
surface to form an
organic layer

Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAM) surfaces can be characterized by using atomic force

microscopy, or X-ray diffraction techniques.
Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) surfaces can be characterised by using glow discharge
optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES).
Plasma Polymerisation can be characterised by using scanning electron microscope
(SEM).
Question 5
Nanofabricated materials can be made by technologies based on bottom up and topdowntechnologies. Describe in 3-4 sentences two bottom up and top-down
nanofabrication technologies. Provide references with you answer.

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The electron beam lithography is a top-down technology that

consists in making a sweep of an electron beam focused on a coated with an electronsensitive resin.
Scanning probe lithography is a top-down technology that works by using a Nano stylus
to scan across the substrate surface in order to form a pattern.
Physical vapour deposition is a bottom-up technology used to creating layers on the
substrate surface by condensing vaporized material of the desired layer.
Layer by layer assembly is a bottom-up technology which consists in placing alternative
layers of materials with opposite charges but cleaning between each layer.
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