• Advances in nano research
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Driven by the scaling down of transistor node technology, graphene became of interest to many researchers following the success of its fabrication as graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). However, during the fabrication of GNRs, it is not uncommon to have defects within the GNR structures. Scaling down node technology also changes the modelling approach from the classical Boltzmann transport equation to the quantum transport theory because the quantum confinement effects become significant at sub-10 nanometer dimensions. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Stone-Wales defects on the electronic properties of GNRs using a tight-binding model, based on Non-Equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) via numeric computation methods using MATLAB. Armchair and zigzag edge defects are also implemented in the GNR structures to mimic the practical fabrication process. Electronic properties of pristine and defected GNRs of various lengths and widths were computed, including their band structure and density of states (DOS). The results show that Stone-Wales defects cause fluctuation in the band structure and increase the bandgap values for both armchair GNRs (AGNRs) and zigzag GNRs (ZGNRs) at every simulated width. In addition, Stone-Wales defects reduce the numerical computation DOS for both AGNRs and ZGNRs. However, when the lengths of the structures increase with fixed widths, the effect of the Stone-Wales defects become less significant.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.59-65
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• 2023

In this present article, the mechanical behavior of single-walled black phosphorene nanotubes (SW-αPNTs) is simulated using molecular dynamics (MD). The proposed model is subjected to the axial loading and the effects of morphological parameters, such as the mono-vacancy defect and strain rate on the tensile behavior of the zigzag and armchair SW-αPNTs are studied as a pioneering work. In order to assess the accuracy of the MD simulations, the stress-strain response of the current MD model is successfully verified with the efficient quantum mechanical approach of the density functional theory (DFT). Along with reproducing the DFT results, the accurate MD simulations successfully anticipate a significant variation in the stress-strain curve of the zigzag SW-αPNTs, namely the knick point. Predicting such mechanical behavior of SW-αPNTs may be an important design factor for lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and energy storage devices. The simulations show that the ultimate stress is increased by increasing the diameter of the pristine SW-αPNTs. The trend is identical for the ultimate strain and stress-strain slope as the diameter of the pristine zigzag SW-αPNTs enlarges. The obtained results denote that by increasing the strain rate, the ultimate stress/ultimate strain are respectively increased/declined. The stress-strain slope keeps increasing as the strain rate grows. It is worth noting that the existence of mono-atomic vacancy defects in the (12,0) zigzag and (0,10) armchair SW-αPNT structures leads to a drop in the tensile strength by amounts of 11.1% and 12.5%, respectively. Also, the ultimate strain is considerably altered by mono-atomic vacancy defects.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.521-531
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• 2023

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) has shown great potential in the nanoscale regime as a replacement for CMOS technology. This work presents a specific approach to static random-access memory (SRAM) cell based on 2:1 multiplexer, 4-bit SRAM array, and 32-bit SRAM array in QCA. By utilizing the proposed SRAM array, a single-layer 16×32-bit SRAM with the read/write capability is presented using an optimized signal distribution network (SDN) crossover technique. In the present study, an extremely-optimized 2:1 multiplexer is proposed, which is used to implement an extremely-optimized SRAM cell. The results of simulation show the superiority of the proposed 2:1 multiplexer and SRAM cell. This study also provides a more efficient and accurate method for calculating QCA costs. The proposed extremely-optimized SRAM cell and SRAM arrays are advantageous in terms of complexity, delay, area, and QCA cost parameters in comparison with previous designs in QCA, CMOS, and FinFET technologies. Moreover, compared to previous designs in QCA and FinFET technologies, the proposed structure saves total energy consisting of overall energy consumption, switching energy dissipation, and leakage energy dissipation. The energy and structural analyses of the proposed scheme are performed in QCAPro and QCADesigner 2.0.3 tools. According to the simulation results and comparison with previous high-quality studies based on QCA and FinFET design approaches, the proposed SRAM reduces the overall energy consumption by 25%, occupies 33% smaller area, and requires 15% fewer cells. Moreover, the QCA cost is reduced by 35% compared to outstanding designs in the literature.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.15-24
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• 2020

Iron has a crucial role in growth as part of metalo-proteins like haemoglobin or myoglobin, enzymes; they are also involved in energetic reactions. Iron plays a vital role in fertility. At high doses, Iron has a harmful consequence on the reproductive system, which can be strongly reflected the final stage of spermatogenesis. Nutritional products are claiming to use nanotechnology and it is important to recognize the potential toxicity of nano-sized nutrients. Recently iron nanoparticles were proposed as a food additive for poultry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles on reproductive performance in male quails. The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer, Alternating Gradient Force Magnetometer and Scaning Electron Microscopy showed that iron oxide nanoparticles was produced and have been coated with L-cycstein (Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs). A total of 100 one-week-old quail chicks were randomly placed to five groups of five replicates. Four quails (two male and two females) were raised in an individual cage for each replicate. The five experimental treatment diets consisted; negative control diet, with no Iron supplementation; positive control diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄; treatment diets supplemented with 0.6, 6 and 60 mg/kg of L-cystein coated iron oxide nanoparticles. The hemoglobin, Red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, gonadal somatic index, daily sperm production, total testicular sperm and sperm viability of the male quails that were fed with diet supplemented by 0.6 mg/kg of Fe₃O₄-Cys NPs were improved as compare with negative control. This study showed that not only the use of the Fe₃O₄-Cys nanoparticles had no side effects but also it can be used as a feed additive to improve the reproductive performance in male quails.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.261-279
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• 2017

Spectroscopic investigation of Si quantum dots (Si-QDs) embedded in silicon nitride was performed over a broad stoichiometry range to optimize light emission. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition was used to grow the $SiN_x$ films on Si (001) substrates. The film composition was controlled via the flow ratio of silane ($SiH_4$) and ammonia ($NH_3$) in the range of R = 0.45-1.0 allowed to vary the Si excess in the range of 21-62 at.%. The films were submitted to annealing at $1100^{\circ}C$ for 30 min in nitrogen to form the Si-QDs. The properties of as-deposited and annealed films were investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) methods. Si-QDs were detected in $SiN_x$ films demonstrating the increase of sizes with Si excess. The residual amorphous Si clusters were found to be present in the films grown with Si excess higher than 50 at.%. Multi-component PL spectra at 300 K in the range of 1.5-3.5 eV were detected and nonmonotonous varying total PL peak versus Si excess was revealed. To identify the different PL components, the temperature dependence of PL spectra was investigated in the range of 20-300 K. The analysis allowed concluding that the "blue-orange" emission is due to the radiative defects in a $SiN_x$ matrix, whereas the "red" and "infrared" PL bands are caused by the exciton recombination in crystalline Si-QDs and amorphous Si clusters. The nature of radiative and no radiative defects in $SiN_x$ films is discussed. The ways to control the dominant PL emission mechanisms are proposed.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.83-94
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• 2020

An analytical formulation and solution process for the buckling analysis of porous magneto-electro-elastic functionally graded (MEE-FG) beam via different thermal loadings and various boundary conditions is suggested in this paper. Magneto electro mechanical coupling properties of FGM beam are taken to vary via the thickness direction of beam. The rule of power-law is changed to consider inclusion of porosity according to even and uneven distribution. Pores possibly occur inside FGMs due the result of technical problems that lead to creation of micro-voids in these materials. Change in pores along the thickness direction stimulates the mechanical and physical properties. Four-variable tangential-exponential refined theory is employed to derive the governing equations and boundary conditions of porous FGM beam under magneto-electrical field via Hamilton's principle. An analytical model procedure is adopted to achieve the non-dimensional buckling load of porous FG beam exposed to magneto-electrical field with various boundary conditions. In order to evaluate the influence of thermal loadings, material graduation exponent, coefficient of porosity, porosity distribution, magnetic potential, electric voltage and boundary conditions on the critical buckling temperature of the beam made of magneto electro elastic FG materials with porosities a parametric study is presented. It is concluded that these parameters play remarkable roles on the buckling behavior of porous MEE-FG beam. The results for simpler states are proved for exactness with known data in the literature. The proposed numerical results can serve as benchmarks for future analyses of MEE-FG beam with porosity phases.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.15-29
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• 2016

A low cost environmentally benign surface coating binder is highly desirable in the field of material science. In this report, castor oil based hyperbranched polyester/bitumen modified fly ash nanocomposites were fabricated to achieve the desired performance. The hyperbranched polyester resin was synthesized by a three-step one pot condensation reaction using monoglyceride of castor oil based carboxyl terminated pre-polymer and 2,2-bis (hydroxymethyl) propionic acid. Also, the bulk fly ash of paper industry waste was converted to hydrophilic nano fly ash by ultrasonication followed by transforming it to an organonano fly ash by the modification with bitumen. The synthesized polyester resin and its nanocomposites were characterized by different analytical and spectroscopic tools. The nanocomposite obtained in presence of 20 wt% styrene (with respect to polyester) was found to be more homogeneous and stable compared to nanocomposite without styrene. The performance in terms of tensile strength, impact resistance, scratch hardness, chemical resistance and thermal stability was found to be improved significantly after formation of nanocomposite compared to the pristine system after curing with bisphenol-A based epoxy and poly(amido amine). The overall results of transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis and performance showed good exfoliation of the nano fly ash in the polyester matrix. Thus the studied nanocomposites would open up a new avenue on development of low cost high performing surface coating materials.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.359-372
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• 2017

Metallic copper nanoparticles were synthesised by reduction of copper ions in aqueous solution, and metal-metal bonding by using the nanoparticles was studied. A colloid solution of metallic copper nanoparticles was prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of $CuCl_2$ (0.01 M) and an aqueous solution of hydrazine (reductant) (0.2-1.0 M) in the presence of 0.0005 M of citric acid and 0.005 M of n-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (stabilizers) at reduction temperature of $30-80^{\circ}C$. Copper-particle size varied (in the range of ca. 80-165 nm) with varying hydrazine concentration and reduction temperature. These dependences of particle size are explained by changes in number of metallic-copper-particle nuclei (determined by reduction rate) and changes in collision frequency of particles (based on movement of particles in accordance with temperature). The main component in the nanoparticles is metallic copper, and the metallic-copper particles are polycrystalline. Metallic-copper discs were successfully bonded by annealing at $400^{\circ}C$ and pressure of 1.2 MPa for 5 min in hydrogen gas with the help of the metalli-ccopper particles. Shear strength of the bonded copper discs was then measured. Dependences of shear strength on hydrazine concentration and reduction temperature were explained in terms of progress state of reduction, amount of impurity and particle size. Highest shear strength of 40.0 MPa was recorded for a colloid solution prepared at hydrazine concentration of 0.8 M and reduction temperature of $50^{\circ}C$.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.39-49
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• 2019

This paper focuses on two main objectives. The first one is to exploit an energy equivalent model and finite element method to evaluate the equivalent Young's modulus of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) at any orientation angle by using tensile test. The calculated Young's modulus is validated with published experimental results. The second target is to exploit the finite element simulation to investigate mechanical buckling and natural frequencies of SWCNTs. Energy equivalent model is presented to describe the atomic bonding interactions and their chemical energy with mechanical structural energies. A Program of Nanotube modeler is used to generate a geometry of SWCNTs structure by defining its chirality angle, overall length of nanotube and bond length between two adjacent nodes. SWCNTs are simulated as a frame like structure; the bonds between each two neighboring atoms are treated as isotropic beam members with a uniform circular cross section. Carbon bonds is simulated as a beam and the atoms as nodes. A finite element model using 3D beam elements is built under the environment of ANSYS MAPDL environment to simulate a tensile test and characterize equivalent Young's modulus of whole CNT structure. Numerical results are presented to show critical buckling loads, axial and transverse natural frequencies of SWCNTs with different orientation angles and lengths. The understanding of mechanical behaviors of CNTs are essential in developing such structures due to their great potential in wide range of engineering applications.

• Advances in nano research
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.253-261
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• 2021

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is one of the most widely adopted silicon-based organic polymeric elastomers. Elastomeric nanostructures are normally required to accomplish an explicit mechanical role and correspondingly their mechanical properties are crucial to affect device and material performance. Despite its wide application, the mechanical properties of PDMS are yet fully understood. In particular, the time dependent mechanical response of PDMS has not been fully elucidated. Here, utilizing state-of-the-art PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PFQNM) together with Force Volume (FV) and Fast Force Volume (FFV), the elastic moduli of PDMS samples were assessed in a time-dependent fashion. Specifically, the acquisition frequency was discretely changed four orders of magnitude from 0.1 Hz up to 2 kHz. Careful calibrations were done. Force data were fitted with a linearized DMT contact mechanics model considering surface adhesion force. Increased Young's modulus was discovered with increasing acquisition frequency. It was measured 878 ± 274 kPa at 0.1 Hz and increased to 4586 ± 758 kPa at 2 kHz. The robust local probing of mechanical measurement as well as unprecedented high-resolution topography imaging open new avenues for quantitative nanomechanical mapping of soft polymers, and can be extended to soft biological systems.