Scientists studied the synthesis of carbon atomic wires using UV resonance Raman spectroscopy
|Short carbon atomic wires represent the first step in carbon nanostructure growth, and it is possible to shape their optical, thermal, mechanical, and electronic properties by varying their length and termination. However, this requires a high control of their synthesis process, that can be done chemically or physically. Among the physical techniques, pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) is the most versatile and simple one; however, many aspects related to the formation process of the wires are still not perfectly understood.
To better determine this process and to perform a real-time monitoring of the growth of carbon atomic wires during PLAL without perturbing the synthesis environment, Dr Pietro Marabotti, Dr Carlo Casari and colleagues of the Polytechnic University of Milan performed an in situ measurement using Inelastic Ultraviolet Scattering with tunable light source (IUVS), available at the CERIC Italian Partner Facility at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste.
Researchers were then able to track in detail the single-chain species’ growth dynamics systematically, exploring different solvents (such as water or organic solvents), and they found that these dynamics reveal a complex interplay between formation and degradation, leading to a final equilibrium. Interestingly, exploiting the fine tunability of synchrotron-based UV radiation and the peculiar optoelectronic properties of carbon wires, scientists achieved unprecedented size selectivity.
Exploring these challenging dynamics provides new insights into advancing carbon atomic wires synthesis via PLAL, optimizing this process to enhance nanomaterial synthesis.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
Exploring the Growth Dynamics of Size-Selected Carbon Atomic Wires with In Situ UV Resonance Raman Spectroscopy
Marabotti P., Peggiani S., Melesi S., Rossi B., Gessini A., Li Bassi A., Russo V., Casari C.S., Small, 2024