Tesi di Dottorato
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Item Study of transparent thin film oxide and they interaction with nematic liquid crystals(2006-11-30) Marino, Salvatore; Scaramuzza, Nicola; Longeri, M.Item Scanning probe microscopy studies and dynamic behaviour of ferroelectric domains in PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 thin films(2009-11-09) Bruno, Emanuela; Scaramuzza, Nicola; Versace, CarloFerroelectric domains play an essential role in all ferroelectric materials applications, for example, microelectromechanical sensors systems (MEMS) and integrated optical systems. The prime interest in recent years is, however, in non-volatile random accesses memories (FRAM) based on ferroelectric thin film. This requires substantial improvement in the understanding of the basic proprieties at the nanometer length scale. Especially the domain nucleation and growth processes in ferroelectric is of key importance. As the optical methods are limited by diffraction, novel high resolution techniques are required. The scanning force methods introduced during this thesis offer the required high resolution together with high sensitivity. In this thesis experimental and theoretical evidence for the origin of the force acting on the tip, the cantilever deflection and the image contrast mechanisms is given for various SFM (Scanning Force Microscopy) operation modes. For imaging ferroelectric domains the best suited SPM technique is the piezoresponse SFM that is performed with the tip in contact with the sample. The spontaneous growth of the domains 1 nucleating in lead zirconate titanate sample is investigated in detail using the EFM (Electrostatic Force Microscopy) technique. Even more interesting is the case where the domains are intentionally created switching the spontaneous polarization by means of an electric field between the EFM tip and an electrode below the sample. This allows to create any desired pattern of domains. The ability to use the same tip for domain switching and imaging is another advantage of the EFM. The domain formed in this way varies in size from few nanometers to few micrometers. Using EFM technique we demonstrate ferroelectrostatic switching in Lead Zircanate Titanate (PZT) thin film. This has important technological implication because the ferroelectric switching must be used in ferroelectric devices.Item Preparation and characterization of mesostructured functional materials with different morphologies(2008-11-17) Aiello, Daniela; Aiello, Rosario; Testa, Flaviano; Molinari, RaffaeleMesoporous materials with their good surface and structural properties and versatility can be synthesized in different morphologies (thin films, fibers, membranes, etc.) and represent excellent host matrices, highly functional and with great potentials for advanced applications. In this research work, mesoporous powders and thin films have been successfully achieved and then functionalized with special guest molecules such as organic molecules, organometallic complexes, fluorescent dyes, all having specific and interesting properties. Mesoporous matrices have been prepared by sol-gel chemistry with different mesostructures and high order degree. Chemical modifications approaches (post-synthesis grafting and one-pot synthesis) applied to porous supports highly organized have allowed to product a new class of functional materials, particularly interesting for various applications (opto-electronic, photovoltaic materials, etc.). Surface and structural characterization techniques (FTIR, UV-Vis, fluorescence, ellipsometry spectroscopies, electron transmission microscopy, XRD diffraction and porosimetry analysis) have allowed to investigate the effects of the introduction of guest species inside mesoporous matrices and to identify noteworthy changes about organization and mesostructures. Results show that mesoporous materials, both as powders and thin films, do not suffer significant reductions of surface (surface area, pore volume and diameter) and structural properties (order degree, mesostructure organization, stability) after functionalization process, representing confined environment well adapted to various guest species, with the advantage to increase their activity and physic-chemical properties. In particular, guest species are well trapped into rigid porous matrices with an increase of their functional properties and inorganic network stability. All results have demonstrated that the high structural homogeneity, the control over surface and morphological properties and also the possibility to host different molecules permit to project and engineer high potential technological materials for applications in optic and electro-optic fields.Item Reflection spectroscopic ellipsometry investigations of reciprocal interactions between organic-inorganic layered structures(2008) D'Elia, Stefano; Versace, Carlo