Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures

LETHBRIDGE, SEAN

doi:10.23889/SUThesis.71170

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Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures / SEAN LETHBRIDGE

Swansea University Author: SEAN LETHBRIDGE

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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.71170

Abstract

Nanotechnology is at the forefront of modern day lives with applications in a variety of different technological and industrial sectors through its many forms. The central drive behind this is the need for continued improvement and to do more with less. This can be achieved through the use of a vari...

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Published:	Swansea 2025
Institution:	Swansea University
Degree level:	Doctoral
Degree name:	Ph.D
Supervisor:	Palmer, R. E.
URI:	https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71170

first_indexed	2025-12-23T11:48:30Z
last_indexed	2025-12-24T05:22:57Z
id	cronfa71170
recordtype	RisThesis
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In order to match these materials and structures with the suitable applications such as catalysis and electronics however, it is necessary to ﬁrst understand them and how they work. As a result, scientiﬁc research is constantly needing to be carried out to provide this understanding through continuous experimentation and analysis. It is the objective of this work to contribute to this continued research by presenting new discoveries and publishing key ﬁndings. Here research has been carried out on two types of nanomaterial; Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, and Nanoclusters, where analysis is focused on the resulting sizes and structures of these nanomaterials and the discovery patterns between synthesis conditions and end results. To achieve this, TEM/STEM imaging was carried out on these materials and data was analysed using image processing software to ascertain the various sizes and structural characteristics of these nanomaterials. Carbon nanotube investigations included both surface and core structure analysis whilst, nanocluster analysis reviewed the atomic sizes, as well as isomeric structure, and quasi-shape of both Silver and Gold nanostructures. In carbon nanotube investigations, HRTEM investigations successfully showed grown carbon nanotubes from Polystyrene. It was further discovered how the concentration of Polystyrene affects the surface characteristics, in particular the uniformity, in addition to the core structural traits. Silver nanocluster analysis revealed how the synthesis conditions affected the overall sizes of Matrix Assembly grown nanoclusters whilst, it was discovered how post-production exposure to atmosphere inﬂuenced the nanoclusters isomeric structure through contaminants exposure. Similarly, Gold nanocluster investigations demonstrated how the sputtering conditions reﬂected on the size ranges of surface aggregation grown nanoclusters, and potentially inﬂuenced the end isomeric structure of the nanoclusters. Additionally, quasi-geometry analysis of Gold nanoclusters revealed a mix of both 3D and 2D structures, where 3D geometries were seen to vary between 3 quasi-geometries. Previously unknown ‘2D rafts’ were also discovered where structures up to 100 atoms in size were analysed to understand the nature of formation of this newly discovered structure. The results presented here offered further insight into both existing and novel nanostructures, and the relationship they have to the corresponding synthesis conditions. Such ﬁndings are important for not only the continued understanding of existing nanostructures, but also the discovery and development of new nanostructures with new potential applications. 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spelling	2025-12-23T11:54:14.8988684 v2 71170 2025-12-23 Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures 5eca3652310b83a9712960b0068fd8c9 SEAN LETHBRIDGE SEAN LETHBRIDGE true false 2025-12-23 Nanotechnology is at the forefront of modern day lives with applications in a variety of different technological and industrial sectors through its many forms. The central drive behind this is the need for continued improvement and to do more with less. This can be achieved through the use of a variety of nanoscale materials and structures speciﬁc to the end usage requirements. In order to match these materials and structures with the suitable applications such as catalysis and electronics however, it is necessary to ﬁrst understand them and how they work. As a result, scientiﬁc research is constantly needing to be carried out to provide this understanding through continuous experimentation and analysis. It is the objective of this work to contribute to this continued research by presenting new discoveries and publishing key ﬁndings. Here research has been carried out on two types of nanomaterial; Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, and Nanoclusters, where analysis is focused on the resulting sizes and structures of these nanomaterials and the discovery patterns between synthesis conditions and end results. To achieve this, TEM/STEM imaging was carried out on these materials and data was analysed using image processing software to ascertain the various sizes and structural characteristics of these nanomaterials. Carbon nanotube investigations included both surface and core structure analysis whilst, nanocluster analysis reviewed the atomic sizes, as well as isomeric structure, and quasi-shape of both Silver and Gold nanostructures. In carbon nanotube investigations, HRTEM investigations successfully showed grown carbon nanotubes from Polystyrene. It was further discovered how the concentration of Polystyrene affects the surface characteristics, in particular the uniformity, in addition to the core structural traits. Silver nanocluster analysis revealed how the synthesis conditions affected the overall sizes of Matrix Assembly grown nanoclusters whilst, it was discovered how post-production exposure to atmosphere inﬂuenced the nanoclusters isomeric structure through contaminants exposure. Similarly, Gold nanocluster investigations demonstrated how the sputtering conditions reﬂected on the size ranges of surface aggregation grown nanoclusters, and potentially inﬂuenced the end isomeric structure of the nanoclusters. Additionally, quasi-geometry analysis of Gold nanoclusters revealed a mix of both 3D and 2D structures, where 3D geometries were seen to vary between 3 quasi-geometries. Previously unknown ‘2D rafts’ were also discovered where structures up to 100 atoms in size were analysed to understand the nature of formation of this newly discovered structure. The results presented here offered further insight into both existing and novel nanostructures, and the relationship they have to the corresponding synthesis conditions. Such ﬁndings are important for not only the continued understanding of existing nanostructures, but also the discovery and development of new nanostructures with new potential applications. Furthermore, we report on the regeneration and recommissioning of a Caesium Sputtering Negative Ion Cluster Source as a new cluster beam deposition platform. Mass and Cluster spectra were carried out to understand the performance of the cluster source, and demonstrate its potential as an apparatus for the deposition and future study of few atom nanoclusters. E-Thesis Swansea Nanotechnology, Nanoclusters, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy 6 11 2025 2025-11-06 10.23889/SUThesis.71170 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Palmer, R. E. Doctoral Ph.D Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 2025-12-23T11:54:14.8988684 2025-12-23T11:30:05.4352407 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering SEAN LETHBRIDGE 1 71170__35888__c0c3457b39b64aeba507ac98e2013a7b.pdf 2025_Lethbridge_S.final.71170.pdf 2025-12-23T11:46:22.2079546 Output 124145524 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: the author, Sean Lethbridge, 2025 true eng
title	Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures
spellingShingle	Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures SEAN LETHBRIDGE
title_short	Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures
title_full	Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures
title_fullStr	Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures
title_full_unstemmed	Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures
title_sort	Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures
author_id_str_mv	5eca3652310b83a9712960b0068fd8c9
author_id_fullname_str_mv	5eca3652310b83a9712960b0068fd8c9_***_SEAN LETHBRIDGE
author	SEAN LETHBRIDGE
author2	SEAN LETHBRIDGE
format	E-Thesis
publishDate	2025
institution	Swansea University
doi_str_mv	10.23889/SUThesis.71170
college_str	Faculty of Science and Engineering
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hierarchy_top_title	Faculty of Science and Engineering
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department_str	School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, General and Mechanical Engineering - Aerospace Engineering
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description	Nanotechnology is at the forefront of modern day lives with applications in a variety of different technological and industrial sectors through its many forms. The central drive behind this is the need for continued improvement and to do more with less. This can be achieved through the use of a variety of nanoscale materials and structures speciﬁc to the end usage requirements. In order to match these materials and structures with the suitable applications such as catalysis and electronics however, it is necessary to ﬁrst understand them and how they work. As a result, scientiﬁc research is constantly needing to be carried out to provide this understanding through continuous experimentation and analysis. It is the objective of this work to contribute to this continued research by presenting new discoveries and publishing key ﬁndings. Here research has been carried out on two types of nanomaterial; Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, and Nanoclusters, where analysis is focused on the resulting sizes and structures of these nanomaterials and the discovery patterns between synthesis conditions and end results. To achieve this, TEM/STEM imaging was carried out on these materials and data was analysed using image processing software to ascertain the various sizes and structural characteristics of these nanomaterials. Carbon nanotube investigations included both surface and core structure analysis whilst, nanocluster analysis reviewed the atomic sizes, as well as isomeric structure, and quasi-shape of both Silver and Gold nanostructures. In carbon nanotube investigations, HRTEM investigations successfully showed grown carbon nanotubes from Polystyrene. It was further discovered how the concentration of Polystyrene affects the surface characteristics, in particular the uniformity, in addition to the core structural traits. Silver nanocluster analysis revealed how the synthesis conditions affected the overall sizes of Matrix Assembly grown nanoclusters whilst, it was discovered how post-production exposure to atmosphere inﬂuenced the nanoclusters isomeric structure through contaminants exposure. Similarly, Gold nanocluster investigations demonstrated how the sputtering conditions reﬂected on the size ranges of surface aggregation grown nanoclusters, and potentially inﬂuenced the end isomeric structure of the nanoclusters. Additionally, quasi-geometry analysis of Gold nanoclusters revealed a mix of both 3D and 2D structures, where 3D geometries were seen to vary between 3 quasi-geometries. Previously unknown ‘2D rafts’ were also discovered where structures up to 100 atoms in size were analysed to understand the nature of formation of this newly discovered structure. The results presented here offered further insight into both existing and novel nanostructures, and the relationship they have to the corresponding synthesis conditions. Such ﬁndings are important for not only the continued understanding of existing nanostructures, but also the discovery and development of new nanostructures with new potential applications. Furthermore, we report on the regeneration and recommissioning of a Caesium Sputtering Negative Ion Cluster Source as a new cluster beam deposition platform. Mass and Cluster spectra were carried out to understand the performance of the cluster source, and demonstrate its potential as an apparatus for the deposition and future study of few atom nanoclusters.
published_date	2025-11-06T05:33:50Z
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score	11.4452305

Production and Electron Microscopy Investigations of Nanoscale Structures / SEAN LETHBRIDGE

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