NanoSol

SINTEF has recently developed a method of growing 3-dimensional nanostructures of silicon and aluminum in the form of nanowires and nanotubes, using a self-organizing tendency of these two materials. The optical properties of the aluminum nanowires mean that they may be of interest for use in energy storage, chemical sensors, catalysis materials, or for use in solar cells and nano antennas.

By removing the aluminum threads, we will be able to resume a new nano structure that has the potential to absorb more light in a solar cell. To remove the aluminum nano wires, we use a wet-etch technique. During this process we have developed a method for measuring the residues of aluminum in the structure. These structures can potentially increase the efficiency of solar cells by getting more power out, and also reducing the cost of introducing a direct band-gap material. In addition, these structures can potentially be used in sensors, membranes, batteries, and thermoelectric elements that make electrical current of heat.

The focus of the project has been to create and optimize the nanostructures, study how the self-organizing process starts and develops, and investigate the optical properties of the wires on the nanoscale. For these observations, we use state-of-the-art instruments, such as the newly installed transmission electron microscope within the NORTEM project, co-financed by the Norwegian Research Council. These studies are combined with studies on optical and electrical properties to understand their properties and the possible applications for which they can be used.

In addition, we have worked to understand and develop the properties of the material around the nanowires. When adding small amounts of aluminum and hydrogen to this material (amorphous silicon), we have observed changes of the optical properties of the material.

Project duration: 12/1/2014 – 11/30/2018

Partners/team:
SINTEF Materials and Chemistry: Annett Thøgersen (Project leader)Spyros Diplas

Alexander Ulyashin

Ingvild Thue Jensen

Espen Flage-Larsen

Marit Stange
University of Oslo: Edouard MonakhovAugustinas Galeckas

Ola Nilsen

Torunn Kjeldstad (PhD student)

Nanosol Publications:

  1. Annett Thøgersen, Marit Stange, Ingvild J. T. Jensen, Arne Røyset, Alexander Ulyashin and Spyros Diplas.  Structure and optical properties of aSiAl and aSiAlHx magnetron sputtered thin films. APL Materials, 4, 036103 (2016)
  2. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Thøgersen, Annett; Nilsen, Ola; Monakhov, Edouard; Galeckas, Augustinas.
    Controllable template approach for ZnO nanowire growth. Physica Status Solidi (a) applications and materials science 2017 ;Volum 214.(2) s. 1-6, SINTEF UiO
  3. Annett Thøgersen, Ingvild J T Jensen, Marit Stange, Arne Røyset, Ole Martin Løvvik, Alexander G Ulyashin and Spyros Diplas Valence charge distribution in homogenous silicon-aluminium thin-films. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, Volume 30, Number 33 (2018)
  4. Thøgersen, Annett; Jensen, Ingvild Julie Thue; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Martinez-Martinez, Diego; Løvvik, Ole Martin; Ulyashin, Alexander; Diplas, Spyridon.
    Formation of nanoporous Si upon self-organized growth of Al and Si nanostructures. Nanotechnology 2018 ;Volum 29.(31) s. SINTEF UiO
  5. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Thøgersen, Annett; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Jensen, Ingvild Julie Thue; Monakhov, Eduard; Galeckas, Augustinas.
    Surface effects and optical properties of self-assembled nanostructured a-Si:Al. Nanomaterials 2019 ;Volum 9:1106.(8) s. 1-12
    SINTEF UiO
  6. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Thøgersen, Annett; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Azarov, Alexander; Monakhov, Eduard; Galeckas, Augustinas.
    Monitoring selective etching of self-assembled nanostructured a-Si:Al films. Nanotechnology 2019 ;Volum 30.(13) s. 1-5
    SINTEF UiO

Conference Presentations:

  1. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Thøgersen, Annett; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Galeckas, Augustinas; Monakhov, Edouard.
    Self-assembled aluminium nanowires in silicon. Nano Network Workshop; 2017-06-12 – 2017-06-14
    SINTEF UiO
  2. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Thøgersen, Annett; Galeckas, Augustinas; Monakhov, Eduard; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Nilsen, Ola.
    Aluminum nanowires in amorphous silicon. Norwegian Solar Cell Conference; 2018-05-02 – 2018-05-03, SINTEF UiO

Conference Posters:

  1. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Galeckas, Augustinas; Nilsen, Ola; Azarov, Alexander; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Diplas, Spyridon; Thøgersen, Annett.
    A new silicon nanostructure. Norwegian Solar Cell Conference; 2016-05-31 – 2016-06-01, SINTEF UiO
  2. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Galeckas, Augustinas; Monakhov, Edouard; Nilsen, Ola; Thøgersen, Annett.
    Controllable template approach for ZnO nanowire growth. European Materials Research Society Spring 2016; 2016-05-02 – 2016-05-06
    SINTEF UiO
  3. Thøgersen, Annett; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Jensen, Ingvild Julie Thue; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Ulyashin, Alexander; Galeckas, Augustinas; Nilsen, Ola; Monakhov, Edouard; Diplas, Spyridon.
    Growing and characterizing self-organizing aluminium nanowires in amorphous silicon. Euromat; 2017-09-17 – 2017-09-22, SINTEF UiO
  4. Thøgersen, Annett; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Jensen, Ingvild Julie Thue; Muntingh, Agnar Georg Peder; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Ulyashin, Alexander; Galeckas, Augustinas; Nilsen, Ola; Monakhov, Edouard.
    Plasmonic properties of aluminium nanowires in amorphous silicon and inverted silicon nanowires. NORTEM Oslo Christmas Seminar; 2017-12-13, SINTEF UiO
  5. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Thøgersen, Annett; Monakhov, Edouard; Galeckas, Augustinas.
    Investigation of mesoporous aSi:H with embedded aluminium nanoparticles. EMRS; 2017-05-22 – 2017-05-26, UiO
  6. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Thøgersen, Annett; Monakhov, Edouard; Galeckas, Augustinas.
    Aluminium nanoparticles embedded in mesoporous aSi:H. Euromat; 2017-09-17 – 2017-09-22, UiO
  7. Kjeldstad, Torunn; Galeckas, Augustinas; Nilsen, Ola; Azarov, Alexander; Stange, Marit Synnøve Sæverud; Diplas, Spyridon; Thøgersen, Annett.
    Self-assembly of Al-nanowires in silicon. Nordic Nanolab User Meeting 2017; 2017-05-09 – 2017-05-10, SINTEF UiO

Popular science outreach:

  1. Riise, Heine Nygard; Aarseth, Bjørn Brevig; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Borgersen, Jon Arthur; Olsen, Vegard Skiftestad.
    Besøk frå deltakarar i Fysikk-OL. Omvisning; 2017-03-31 – 2017-03-31
    UiO
  2. Riise, Heine Nygard; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Sky, Thomas Neset; Borgersen, Jon Arthur.
    MiNaLab-besøk frå Kongsskogen VGS. Skulebesøk; 2017-11-23 – 2017-11-23, UiO
  3. Kjeldstad, Torunn.
    Solceller. Fysikkdag ved UiO; 2017-10-11 – 2017-10-11, UiO
  4. Kjeldstad, Torunn.
    Når noe veldig lite kan bli til noe stort. Nasjon finale Forsker Grand Prix; 2017-09-30 – 2017-09-30, UiO
  5. Kjeldstad, Torunn.
    Når noe veldig lite kan bli til noe stort. Regional finale Forsker Grand Prix; 2017-09-26 – 2017-09-26, UiO
  6. Kjeldstad, Torunn.
    Abels tårn. P2 [Radio] 2017-09-01, UiO
  7. Haraldsen, Kirsten Borse; Rogne, Sissel; Eskeland, Ragnhild; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Olsbye, Unni; Røyne, Anja.
    Panelsamtale: Hva nå? DAMER! 100 år med kvinner i realfagene ved UiO. UtstillingsåpningDAMER! 100 år med kvinner i realfagene ved UiO; 2017-03-08 – 2107-03-08, UiB UiO
  8. Kjeldstad, Torunn.
    Abels Tårn. NRK P2 [Radio] 2018-06-01, UiO
  9. Kjeldstad, Torunn.
    Abels Tårn. NRK P2 [Radio] 2018-01-19, UiO
  10. Kjeldstad, Torunn.
    Abels Tårn. NRK P2 [Radio] 2018-03-16, UiO
  11. Delsett, Lene Liebe; Einevoll, Gaute; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Jemterud, Torkild. Abels tårn 26. januar 2018. NRK P2 Ekko [Radio] 2018-01-26, UiO
  12. Jemterud, Torkild; Kjeldstad, Torunn; Antonsen, Roger; Bøckman, Petter. Abels tårn. Ekko, NRK P2 [Radio] 2019-05-10, UiO