Date of Award

4-2014

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Dr. Sherine O. Obare

Second Advisor

Dr. Ekkehard Sinn

Third Advisor

Dr. Yirong Mo

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Charles F. Ide

Keywords

Sensors, hydrogen peroxide, microorganisms, palladium nanoparticles, ruthenium nanocubes, shape control

Abstract

Controlling the size and shape of metal nanostructures is important for tuning the intrinsic chemical and physical properties of materials, and consequently their potential technological applications. Modulating the morphology of metal nanostructures is essential to understanding the structure-function relationship (for example, optical, magnetic, catalytic, and electronic properties) under various environmental conditions. Our work describes the development of new procedures for the synthesis of well-defined isotropic and anisotropic nanoparticles consisting of palladium (Pd) and ruthenium (Ru). Characterization of the nanostructures was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution-TEM (HRTEM), powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). By understanding the properties of the newly synthesized materials, we were able to study their potential as chemical and biological sensors and their interactions with microorganisms (Baccar, 2011; Adams, 2014). Our work shows that the interactions between nanoscale materials and microorganisms are crucial to providing a comprehensive, proactive understanding of the antimicrobial and toxic effects, as well as evaluating their safety (Adams, 2014). Thus, the antimicrobial properties of Pd nanoparticles with various sizes were investigated towards gram negative Escherichia coli and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, as well as, their potency as potential environmental pollutants (Adams, 2014). In addition, we also describe the development of biological and chemical sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity using well-defined metal nanostructures (Baccar, 2013; Obare, 2010).

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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