Suspensions of Semiconducting Nanoparticles in Nafion for Transient Spectroscopy and Terahertz Photoconductivity Measurements
- 17 March 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Analytical Chemistry
- Vol. 92 (6), 4187-4192
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.9b05723
Abstract
The characterization of emerging materials is crucial for the experimentally driven design of next-generation technologies. We describe a cost- and time-effective method for suspending nanoparticles and other photoactive materials in Nafion for transient spectroscopy and time-resolved terahertz (THz) photoconductivity measurements. Nafion is an ideal suspension matrix because it has high transparency throughout the UV/vis/near-IR and THz regions of the spectrum. Suspensions of nanoparticles in Nafion require only small amounts of sample (<5 mg) and can be prepared and deposited in similar to 1 h. The suspension is well-suited for transient THz measurements, which can be used to determine the photo-conductivity spectrum of the embedded nanoparticles. In this work, we used silicon nanoparticles as a model material to demonstrate the efficacy of Nafion suspensions for transient THz spectroscopy. This methodology can be used for rapid and cost-effective measurements of emerging materials such as solar materials, electrocatalysts, and nanomaterials.Funding Information
- Division of Chemistry (CHE-1465085)
- Basic Energy Sciences (DE-FG02-07ER15909)
- TomKat Charitable Trust
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