Papers by Author: L. Zhang

Abstract: In this work, we have investigated phase separation behavior in PS/PVP polymer blend thin films on gold substrates that have chemical stripes of different periods made by microcontact printing. The influences of pattern period and film thickness have been studied. The experiments have testified that the best result of phase separation, as shown in OM image, was obtained when the period of the chemical pattern is similar to the polymer particle size. Meanwhile, the film thickness plays a significant role on the phase separation. The best pattern replication in the polymer thin films only occurs in a relative narrow thickness range, for example, in this case between 30 and 60 nm. The possible interaction mechanism of the thin polymer film with the underlayed chemical pattern has been discussed.

Abstract: Gold nanowires, 50 nm in diameter and 1-2 μm in length, were prepared by template synthesis and modified by bifunctional thiols then suspended in different solvents. The dispersibility of nanowires is found to be strongly affected by the selection of solvents. The functionalized gold nanowires can be selectively assembled onto patterned surface via electrostatic interactions. It is possible that this simple process can be carried out in fabrication of more complicated structures, which are potentially useful in many applications such as nanoelectronic, photonic and SERS.

Abstract: Bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (BCNTs) have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition method. The activated BCNTs after simple ball milling and KOH etching are used as polarizable electrodes in electric double layer capacitor (EDLC). Our results show that the specific capacity of BCNTs can be improved by the activation treatment.