Research In Nanoscience:Case Studies In Nanoparticles And Nanomaterials Characterization

Nano-science and nanotechnology have become essential for the economic development of modern societies.Nanoscience discoveries and nanotechnological inventions touch several different topics related to our daily life,including electronic devices like smart phones,computers,vehicles,and medical treatments,among others.In this thesis,I will summarize the main research projects related to fabrication and characterization of resistive switching devices made of high-k and layered dielectrics that I developed during my master.This thesis is divided into two parts:The first topic is related to the fabrication and application of memory device for information storage and computing.This is also a very important topic because information storage is growing exponentially,and it is expected to increase even more in the next decade,due to the development of the internet of things.In this project,I analyzed fabrication and characterization of resistive switching devices made of high-k and layered dielectrics.Firstly I fabricated a resistive switching device using a multilayer hexagonal boron nitride which has better resistive switching behavior,then I used different transition metal oxides as dielectric in a metal-insulator-metal structure for memory devices.After that I analyzed the stability of the switching when exposed to environmental conditions using these dielectrics,and I introduced an additional step in the fabrication process to improve the quality of the devices.In the second topic,I analyzed the size,morphology,mechanical properties,and chemical composition of PMo.i airborne pollutants.By combining scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy,we observed that PM0.1 are always spherical,and that they show a very high adhesiveness.We also observe a high amount of bound carbon and oxygen elements on their surface.This investigation provides new insights in the field of air pollution,and the results here compiled are of interest for advanced filter design and drug manufacture.