UK; PhD Studentship for Nanotechnology

PhD Studentship

London Centre for Nanotechnology

X-ray photoelectron microscopy of nanoscale metal oxide phases Nanostructures can have different properties to those of bulk  materials. This can derive from quantum size effects or simply from a difference in structure adopted as the size of the cluster decreases. There are many possible applications of these phenomena; for metal oxide nanostructures these include advanced sensors, catalysts, high-density visual displays, memory storage devices and environmental control. There is a clear need to understand the structure/function relationship of nanostructures in support of these applications. In this
project a new instrument, the Nanoscience beamline at the Diamond Light Source (the UK’s third generation synchrotron radiation source) will be used for this purpose in conjunction with scanning probe instruments at UCL. The Nanoscience beamline contains instrumentation to carry out X-ray photoelectron microscopy, which can examine the chemical state
of a surface in an area down to 20 nm.

The student would employ model surfaces in the form of the O-polar termination of ZnO and the (110) termination of rutile TiO2. The student will be based at University College London where sample preparation will employ UHV scanning probe instruments.

Applicants should have at least a 2.1 MSci in physics, physical chemistry, or a related discipline.

For further information contact Professor Geoff Thornton (g.thornton@ucl.ac.uk)

Tags: PhD Studentship for Nanotechnology, PhD Studentship for Nanotechnology in UK 2009, UK PhD Studentship 2009, UK PhD Studentship for Nanotechnology