Application of nuclear analytical spectroscopies and ion beams to the study of nanomaterials: cooperative projects between Vinatom and JINR (Dubna)

Abstract

Due to the rapid scientific and technological development in the last decades, basic research in solid state physics, chemistry and material science has focused on objects and phenomena more and more confined in dimensions and time-scale, and well visible for the general publicity by introducing the terms “nanophysics, nanoscience, nanomaterials, etc.”, often featured in the media. Researchers therefore keep searching for better and better investigative techniques. Various nuclear analytical spectroscopies, such as Positron annihilation lifetime (PAL), Doppler broadening of positron annihilation energy (DB), Electron momentum distribution (EMD), Slow positron beam (SPB), Neutron diffractions (ND), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), etc., have proved themselves as useful tools for microscopic analysis of different material’s structure ranging from angstrom (Ȧ) to nanometer (nm) scales. Besides, ion beams generated from accelerators (electron, 1H, 2He, 40Ar, 86Kr, 109Ag, 123Xe, 184W, etc.) have also become very effective tools for modifying the micro structure of nanomaterials. These methods have been intensively utilized by our group at Vinatom with external collaborations from JINR (Dubna) in order to study the in-depth structure of different nanomaterials. This report introduces our research and collaborative activities, facilities and some recent highlighted results.