Nanoscale Microstructural Design of Hydrazide Sol-Gel Derived Titanium Nitride Particles

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract CTS- 0000563 P.N. Kumta, Carnegie-Mellon University The objectives is to develop a new alkoxy hydrazine sol-gel (HSG) process in order to obtain nanocrystalline TiN with controlled structure, identify the mechanisms that govern the transformation of the amorphous precursors forming nanocrystalline nitrides, understand the nucleation and growth processes contributing to the high surface area of the microstructure, and explore the potential application to "supercapacitors". The work includes a series of spectroscopic and structural investigations, synthesis protocols, and reaction pathways. Understanding the mechanisms contributing to the high surface area and the role of particle size, shape and orientation on the electrical capacity characteristics will be a main outcome. The research project will be carried out in collaboration with research groups at the Jet Propulsion Laboratories and Entek International. If successful, the project will have impact on understanding synthesis and operation of "supercapacitors", microstructural evolution of a group of nanocrystalline materials, chemical routes to advanced materials, and electrochemistry.