Design and development of novel hetero-architectured materials for applications in highly ‎efficient high power laser diodes, solar cells and biosensors ‎

The main objective of this proposal is to develop a new concept of high performance one dimensional (1D) hetero-architectured multifunctional hybrids for three different applications in high power laser diodes, solar cells, and electrochemical sensors (chemical and biological-based). To achieve this goal, a new class of hybrid nanomaterials made of 1-D transition metal oxides (e.g. TiO2, SnO2, ZnO, WO3 nanofibers) or metal nitrides (e.g. TiN, BN, ZnN, GaN, SiN, carbon nitride) functionalized with carbon-based nanomaterials (e.g. graphene nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, GO, 2D carbons, carbon cloth, porous carbons, bucky papers, carbon quantum dots) will be investigated. The ultimate goal is to control the dispersion-distribution of 1-D transition metal oxides or metal nitrides on the surface of graphene nanosheets or other nanocarbons by novel effective chemical methodologies. These novel heterogeneous hybrid-materials obtained with hierarchical nanostructures will be efficient and cost-effective, and potential for applications as high-power laser diodes with high efficiency. Such novel materials would be of value through extending their unique properties for various applications in optoelectronic devices such as high power laser diodes, solar cells, and sensors (chemical and biosensors). The proposed project offers to develop new advanced materials-based high-power laser diodes, solar cells, and sensors with low cost, maximize their efficiency, recycle-ability, and applicability while minimizing the fabrication costs. By achieving this, we further expect to gain scientific insights in the fields of optoelectronics, functional nanomaterials, growth and surface chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and nanotechnology as well as nano-electrochemistry (electrical, electrochemical properties, studies on solar cells, sensors, and laser diodes). This project also offers significant opportunities for the development of intellectual property, invention, and new knowledge.