Molecular Design of Particle Surfaces

"Nanoparticles are attracting increasing attention because of their unique properties. Applications based on particles down to nanometer size range are growing rapidly. The ability to coat high performance layers on nanoparticles would offer unsurpassedfunctionality and further broaden the range of technological opportunities. This proposal addresses a sequential chemical synthesis technique that allows the fabrication of advanced nanoparticles consisting of oxide or non-oxide inorganic core surroundedby an inorganic shell of different materials with well controlled layer thickness and chemical/physical properties. This novel method allows not only the fabrication of state-of-the-art metallic particles but also the synthesis of compound ferrites andmagnetic/semiconductor composite nanoparticles that are interesting for high-frequency applications. In the Phase I period, we will demonstrate magnetic nanomaterials coated with an atomic-layer-by-layer controlled protecting materials. The fabrication ofcore-shell structured nanoparticles by using reverse microemulsion and micelle expansion two-step processes will also be developed in this program. Success in the Phase I effort will identify a viable manufacturing route for advanced atomic-layer-layercoated nanoparticles. This technology has a wide range of "dual use" applications, from various DoD's applications to commercial applications."