Experimental Investigations of Aluminum-Alloy and Metal-Carbide Clusters: From Gas Phase Studies to Syntheses of Cluster-Based Nanomaterials

Washington State University, Pullman WA

Investigators

Abstract

0095828 Wang This project focuses on a fundamental study of aluminum bimetallic clusters, transition metal carbide clusters, and gallium, indium and thallium clusters in the gas phase using photodetachment spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, and on the use of these clusters as building block materials for the synthesis and characterization of solid state nanometerials. The work will describe the electronic structure and chemical bonding of clusters in a search for structurally or electronically stable ones that can be used in the synthesis of nanomaterials, and ultimately to be able to connect molecular properties with bulk properties. %%% The goal of developing protocols for the design, synthesis, and engineering of novel nanomaterials a priori with predicted and tailored properties is an area of significant interest to the commercial sector. The nanomaterials to be studied in this project will be of high interest to the aerospace and electronics industries, and students trained in these areas are likely to compete very effectively in the job market.