New probes based on carbon nano-cones for scanning probe microscopies.

All-graphenic carbon morphologies grown on individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) consisting of short-fiber segments bearing sharp micro-/nano-cones at both ends were mounted as new probes for scanning probe microscopies (SPM). Three mounting procedures were tested, two based on focused ion and/or electron beam processes operated in scanning electron microscopes, and another based on an irradiation-free procedure under an optical microscope. The benefits and drawbacks of all the methods are described in details. The extent to which the structural integrity of the carbon material of the cones was affected by each of the mounting processes was also investigated using Raman spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The carbon cones were found to be sensitive to both ion and electron irradiation to an unusual extent with respect to structurally-close nano-objects such as multi-wall CNTs. This was assumed to be due to the occurrence of a large number of free graphene-edges at the cone surface. The suitability of such carbon cones as SPM probes is demonstrated, the characteristics of which make them potentially superior to Si-, diamond-, or CNT-probes.

Synthesis of hybrid colloidal nanoparticles for a generic approach to 3D electrostatic directed assembly: Application to anti-counterfeiting.

HYPOTHESIS: The capability of making 3D directed assembly of colloidal nanoparticles on surfaces, instead of 2D one, is of major interest to generate, tailor, and enhance their original functionalities. The nanoxerography technique, i.e. electrostatic trapping of nanoparticles on charged patterns, showed such 3D assembly potentialities but is presently restricted to polarizable nanoparticles with a diameter superior to 20 nm. Hence, it should be possible to exploit a generic approach based on hybrid systems using larger nanoparticles as cargos to anchor smaller ones. EXPERIMENTS: A synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles in a raspberry-like configuration was performed using 50 nm SiO2 nanoparticles and photoluminescent 3-5 nm InP@ZnS (visible emission) or PbS (infrared emission) nanoparticles. Complete topographical and photoluminescent characterizations were carried out on hybrid nanoparticle patterns assembled by nanoxerography and systematically compared to patterns obtained from single photoluminescent nanoparticles. FINDINGS: The synthesis approach is generic. Every hybrid nanoparticle system has led to 3D assemblies with improved photoluminescent signals compared to mono/bilayered assemblies. Straightforward applications for anti-counterfeiting are illustrated. The versatility of the proposed concept is expected to be applied to other nanoparticles to make the most of their magnetic, catalytic, optical etc. properties in a wide range of applications, sensors and devices.

200 keV cold field emission source using carbon cone nanotip: Application to scanning transmission electron microscopy.

We report the use of a pyrolytic carbon cone nanotip as field emission cathode inside a modern 200 kV dedicated scanning transmission electron microscope. We show an unprecedented improvement in the probe current stability while maintaining all the fundamental properties of a cold field emission source such as a small angular current density together with a high brightness. We have also studied the influence of the low extraction voltage, as enabled by the nanosized apex of the cones, on the electron optics properties of the source that prevent the formation of a virtual beam cross-over of the gun. We have addressed this resolution-limiting issue by coming up with a new electron optical source design.