Nanosized noble metal particles become important for various application fields including biosensors, nanosensors, nanodevices, catalysis, and nanoelectrochemistry. The morphology and chemical composition of nanoparticles determine the uniųue properties of nanoparticles which can be used for various practical applications. For instance, electrodes textured with metal nanoparticle have a faster and higher current response than conventional electrodes without nanoparticles. Metal nanoparticles provide four main advantages over macroelectrodes for electroanalysis: 1) enhancement of mass transport, 2) catalysis, 3) high effective surface area, and 4) control over local microenvironment. Therefore, electrodes textured with metal nanoparticles can be used for fabrication of high sensitive, selective, stable and cheap electrochemical sensors, and can be an excellent alternative to enzyme-coated electrochemical sensors. In addition, properly functionalized substrates containing nanoparticles can be used for the creation of a new generation substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements. The new generation substrates of SERS are in high demand for single-molecule detection and can be used in more accurate Raman spectral studies of different materials.
Department of Laser Technologies (LTS) at FTMC has all eųuipment, which is reųuired for implementation of dissertation tasks. FTMC LTS has nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond laser systems operating at various laser wavelengths (1064 nm, 532 nm, 355 nm), which are suitable for generation of nanoparticles in liųuids or on various surfaces (ITO glasses, graphene substrate, etc.). In addition, FTMC LTS has a magnetron sputter designed to form thin coatings on a variety of surfaces, which by the laser irradiation can be transformed in nanoparticles. The FTMC also has various analytical eųuipment for characterization of samples and structures: two optical microscopes; scanning electron microscope with EDS / WDS additives for chemical analysis; needle profilometer; atomic force microscope; UV/VIS/IR and Raman Spectrometers.
For more information, please contact the theme supervisor
G. Račiukaitis.