Carbon Based Nanomaterials

Overview of Research 

The research is centred on the development of approaches for the controlled synthesis of new nanostructured carbon based materials such as carbon nanotubes, nanocoils, nanowalls, nanotips, on a Si substrate for integration with semiconductor technologies. The new nanostructures are fabricated using a state of the art microwave Plasma enhanced CVD reactor with Electron Cyclotron Resonance attachment. The unique physical and electrochemical properties of the nano-elements are studied with a view of improving performance of current devices.Particular interest is paid on probing the interactions between biological molecules and nano-elements in light of developing protocols that will provide a foundation for future bioelectronic devices.

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Key Projects

The group is very active on the synthesis of new nanostructures and their detailed physical and electrochemical characterisation. Currently the group is developing a new electrochemical platform based on an array of carbon nanotube transducers on a silicon chip, which will allow direct electronic detection of biomolecules with improved sensitivity and specificity. The group also wishes to understand, at molecular level, what micro-structural change occur at nanotube surfaces during biomolecular attachment, using some of the state of the art analysis equipment. In this manner a comprehensive understanding of the immobilisation and electrochemical processes can be obtained, which allows the effective engineering of carbon nanotubes. The group is also involved on the investigation of plasma and chemically modified surfaces using non-conventional techniques such as synchrotron based and neutron diffraction facilities.


Collaboration
The group have enjoyed collaborations with various academic partners in UK, Europe and worldwide. Currently collaborations are ongoing with Peking University, National Taiwan University, Ege University and University of Arizona. The group is also involved in a major European funded projected known as DESYGN-IT - 'Design, Synthesis and Growth of Nanotubes for Industrial Technology', which includes partners from UK, Ireland, Germany, Slovenia and Sweden.

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Industrial Partners
GlaxoSmithkline is supporting a PhD student of a project involving the development of CNT biosensors.

For further information please contact the Group Leader: Dr Pagona Papakonstantinou

E: p.papakonstantinou@ulster.ac.uk

T +44 (0) 28 9036 8932