Award Date

1-1-2008

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Chemistry

First Committee Member

Clemens Heske

Number of Pages

197

Abstract

This dissertation is focused on studying the atomic and electronic structure of carbon-based materials, namely highly-ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), and C60 fullerenes, with and without metal (Ti and Li) deposition. The work is motivated by ongoing efforts to understand and improve the hydrogen storage capability of carbon-based nanomaterials as well as their potential applications for developing novel electronic devices; Ti and Li deposition on the surface of SWNT, C60, and HOPG samples have been performed in ultra-high vacuum. The morphology and local geometric and electronic structure of the samples was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM and STS). The chemical and electronic structure of the samples was studied by X-ray and UV photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Changes in the carbon core- and valence-electronic levels upon metal deposition were observed and correlated with detailed morphological and electronic characteristics. The results give detailed information about the interaction between metal adatoms and carbon-based materials. In addition, several important aspects related to the deposited metals, such as the formation of oxides, were studied. The results provide fundamental insight into metal-carbon interactions and help to develop approaches to improve the performance of carbon-based materials for hydrogen storage and novel electronic devices.

Keywords

Based; Carbon; Carbon Nanotubes; Deposition; Fullerenes; Hydrogen Storage; Materials; Metal; Metal Deposition; Microscopic; Spectroscopic; Studies

Controlled Subject

Chemistry, Physical and theoretical; Materials science; Molecular dynamics

File Format

pdf

File Size

4239.36 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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Rights

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