No Arabic abstract
A review of the main phenomena related with the linear optical properties of isolated and supported metal nanoparticles is presented. The extinction, absorption and scattering efficiencies are calculated using the Mie theory and the Discrete Dipole Approximation. The origin of the optical spectra is discussed in terms of the size, shape and environment for each nanoparticle. The main optical features of each nanoparticle are identified, showing the tremendous potentiality of optical spectroscopy as a tool of characterization.
The results of density functional theory calculations and measurements using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of Co-nanoparticles dispersed on graphene/Cu are presented. It is found that for low cobalt thickness (0.02 nm - 0.06 nm) the Co forms islands distributed non-homogeneously which are strongly oxidized under exposure to air to form cobalt oxides. At greater thicknesses up to 2 nm the upper Co-layers are similarly oxidized whereas the lower layers contacting the graphene remain metallic. The measurements indicate a Co2+ oxidation state with no evidence of a 3+ state appearing at any Co thickness, consistent with CoO and Co[OH]2. The results show that thicker Co (2nm) coverage induces the formation of a protective oxide layer while providing the magnetic properties of Co nanoparticles.
We study the electronic structures and dielectric functions of the simple hydrides LiH, NaH, MgH2 and AlH3, and the complex hydrides Li3AlH6, Na3AlH6, LiAlH4, NaAlH4 and Mg(AlH4)2, using first principles density functional theory and GW calculations. All these compounds are large gap insulators with GW single particle band gaps varying from 3.5 eV in AlH3 to 6.5 eV in the MAlH4 compounds. The valence bands are dominated by the hydrogen atoms, whereas the conduction bands have mixed contributions from the hydrogens and the metal cations. The electronic structure of the aluminium compounds is determined mainly by aluminium hydride complexes and their mutual interactions. Despite considerable differences between the band structures and the band gaps of the various compounds, their optical responses are qualitatively similar. In most of the spectra the optical absorption rises sharply above 6 eV and has a strong peak around 8 eV. The quantitative differences in the optical spectra are interpreted in terms of the structure and the electronic structure of the compounds.
The influence of morphology on the optical properties of silver nanoparticles is studied. A general relationship between the surface plasmon resonances and the morphology of each nanoparticle is established. The optical response is investigated for cubes and decahedrons with different truncations. We found that polyhedral nanoparticles composed with less faces show more surface plasmon resonances than spherical-like ones. It is also observed that the vertices of the nanoparticles play an important role in the optical response, because the sharpener they become, the greater the number of resonances. For all the nanoparticles, a main resonance with a dipolar character was identified as well as other secondary resonances of less intensity. It is also found that as the nanoparticle becomes more symmetric, the main resonance is always blue shifted.
Due to their characteristic geometry, TiO$_2$ nanotubes (TNTs), suitably doped by metal-substitution to enhance their photocatalytic properties, have a high potential for applications such as clean fuel production. In this context, we present a detailed investigation of the magnetic, electronic, and optical properties of transition-metal doped TNTs, based on hybrid density functional theory. In particular, we focus on the $3d$, the $4d$, as well as selected $5d$ transition-metal doped TNTs. Thereby, we are able to explain the enhanced optical activity and photocatalytic sensitivity observed in various experiments. We find, for example, that Cr- and W-doped TNTs can be employed for applications like water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction, and for spintronic devices. The best candidate for water splitting is Fe-doped TNT, in agreement with experimental observations. In addition, our findings provide valuable hints for future experimental studies of the ferromagnetic/spintronic behavior of metal-doped titania nanotubes.
Strain in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) has led to localized states with exciting optical properties, in particular in view of designing one photon sources. The naturally formed of the MoS2 monolayer deposed on hBN substrate leads to a reduction of the bandgap in the strained region creating a nanobubble. The photogenerated particles are thus confined in the strain-induced potential. Using numerical diagonalization, we simulate the spectra of the confined exciton states, their oscillator strengths and radiative lifetimes. We show that a single state of the confined exciton is optically active, which suggests that the MoS2/hBN nanobubble is a good candidate for the realisation of single-photon sources. Furthermore, the exciton binding energy, oscillator strength and radiative lifetime are enhanced due to the confinement effect.