Course

Unit 1

Basics of Nanomaterials
Introduction to nanomaterials, Comparison of bulk and nanomaterials: Change in band gap, Novel properties of nanomaterial. Classification of nanostructured materials, Synthesis of nanomaterials: Classification and fabrication methods – Top down and bottom-up methods.

Unit 2

Concept of Quantum Confinement and Phonon Confinement
Basic concepts – Excitons, Effective mass, Free electron theory and its features, Band structure of solids. Bulk to nano transition – Density of states, Quantum confinement effect – weak and strong confinement regime. Electron confinement in infinitely deep square well, Confinement in two and three dimension. Blue shift of band gap, Effective mass approximation. Vibrational properties of Solids – Phonon Confinement effect and presence of surface modes.

Unit 3

Tools for Characterization
Structural: X-ray Diffraction, Surface Analysis: Transmission Electron Microscope, Scanning Tunneling Microscope, Atomic Force Microscope, Optical studies: UV – Visible absorption, Photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy.

Unit 4

Nanostructured Materials
Carbon nanotubes: Structure, electrical, vibration and mechanical properties, Applications of carbon nanotubes – Field emission and shielding, Computers, Fuel cells, Chemical sensors, Catalysis, Mechanical reinforcement. Quantum dots and Magnetic nanomaterials – Applications.

Unit 5

Nanoelectronics and Nanodevices
Impact of nanotechnology on conventional electronics, Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMSs): Fabrication (Lithography) and applications, Nanodevices: Resonant tunneling diode, Quantum cascade lasers, Single electron transistors: Operating principles and applications.

Text Books

1. Robert W. Kelsall, Ian W. Hamley and Mark Geoghegan, “Nanoscale Science and Technology”, John Wiley and Sons Ltd., 2004.
2. W.R. Fahrner (Ed.), Nanotechnology and Nanoelectronics, Springer, 2006.

Reference Books

1. Charles P. Poole, Jr. Frank J. Owens, “Introduction to nanotechnology”, First Edition, Wiley-Interscience, 2003.
2. T. Pradeep, “Nano: The essentials: Understanding nanoscience and nanotechnology”, First Edition, McGraw Hill Education, 2017.