ISBN 978-3-8439-4346-8

978-3-8439-4346-8, Reihe Anorganische Chemie

Danny Bialuschewski
Laser-assisted Modification of Metals and Metal Oxide Semiconductors as Photoactive Materials

157 Seiten, Dissertation Universität Köln (2019), Softcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

Laser-induced order and disorder on both chemical and structural level through absorption of femtosecond (fs) laser pulse was investigated on different metal (e.g. Al or Ti) and metal oxide systems (e.g. FexOy or TiOx) in order to modulate their surface chemistry and topography. For example, semiconductor materials were engineered

towards their optical, electrical and electronic properties by femtosecond laser treatment to improve their water splitting properties. Thin metal and metal oxide films with tunable photophysical properties can be used for new solar harvesting systems, which might fulfill the demand for renewable energy and reduce CO2 emission, which poses one of the biggest challenges in the current era. The combination of chemistry (precursor synthesis), material science (thin film fabrication and device engineering) and physics (femtosecond laser treatment) is rarely performed due to the sheer complexity of

the different subjects, but has been proven to be invaluable in this work to develop a fundamental understanding of the relationship of the surface treatment and the functional properties.

In summary, this research improved the understanding and possibilities of ultrashort laser pulses to structurally and compositionally modify metal and metal oxides systems, and enhance their properties for many different applications, like photoelectrochemical water splitting, gas sensing or photocatalysis.