Fabrication and characterisation of multilayer thin film using self assembly of colloidal gold and silica nanoparticles

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
  • Background
  • Statement of the problem
  • Objective of research work
  • Hypothesis
  • Scope and limitations of research work
  • Organization of the research thesis
• Literature Review
  • 'Top-down' versus 'bottom-up' assembly
  • Colloidal nanoparticles
    • Colloidal gold nanoparticles
    • Colloidal silica nanoparticles
  • Polyelectrolytes
    • Chitosan
    • PDDA poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)
  • Surface passivation of colloidal nanoparticles
  • Stabilisation of nanoparticles
    • Electrostatic stabilisation
    • Steric stabilisation
  • Surface plasmon resonance
  • Layer-by-layer self assembly
  • The forces guiding colloidal assembly
  • The role of pH buffers
  • The formation and structure of thin films
  • Wettability of thin films
  • Electrical properties of metal-insulator films
  • Quantum tunneling
  • Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling
  • Thermal properties of thin films
  • Optical properties of thin multilayered structures
  • Effective medium theory
  • Maxwell-Garnett model
  • Thin film optical filter
• Methodology
  • Synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles
  • Surface passivation of colloidal nanoparticles using different polymers
  • Synthesis and surface modification of gold nanoparticles

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation investigates the fabrication and characterization of multilayer thin films using colloidal gold and silica nanoparticles. The primary objective is to explore the self-assembly process of these nanoparticles, focusing on the control of optical and electrical properties through layer-by-layer deposition. The study utilizes polymers for surface passivation and explores the influence of different combinations of layer formation on the optical absorption characteristics.

• Self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles for multilayer thin film fabrication
• Control of optical properties through surface passivation and layer thickness variation
• Investigation of electrical properties and tunneling behavior in multilayer structures
• Optical modeling and simulation using effective medium theory
• Correlation of experimental results with theoretical models

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introductory chapter establishes the research context, outlines the problem statement, and details the objectives, hypothesis, scope, and organization of the dissertation. The literature review comprehensively examines existing knowledge regarding 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' assembly techniques, colloidal nanoparticles, polyelectrolytes, surface passivation, stabilization mechanisms, surface plasmon resonance, layer-by-layer self-assembly, forces guiding colloidal assembly, pH buffers, thin film properties, electrical properties, quantum tunneling, Fowler-Nordheim tunneling, thermal properties, optical properties, effective medium theory, and the Maxwell-Garnett model. The methodology chapter describes the detailed experimental procedures, including the synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles, surface passivation using different polymers, and the synthesis and surface modification of gold nanoparticles.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This dissertation focuses on the fabrication and characterization of multilayer thin films using colloidal gold and silica nanoparticles. Key themes include layer-by-layer self-assembly, surface plasmon resonance, optical properties, electrical properties, tunneling behavior, effective medium theory, Maxwell-Garnett model, and the control of thin film properties through surface passivation and layer thickness variation.