Invited Paper PS-ThM8
From Atomic- to macro- via Nano-scales: Plasma and Ion Effects in Surface Structuring
Thursday, December 6, 2018, 10:20 am, Room Naupaka Salon 5
This presentation critically examines the effects of ions and plasmas on the formation of thin films, microscopic and nanoscale structures on the surface. Nanoscale localization of energy and matter plays a critical role in the mechanisms of ion/plasma-surface interactions that lead to the surface structuring. Examples of localization of energy and matter and plasma-specific effects in nanoscales creates specific and unique conditions not common at larger scales. Importantly, the effects of interactions of ions and other species at atomic scales (e.g., atomic bond scission, vacancy or defect creation or elimination) are intimately related to self-organization and texturing of the surface features and nanostructures at nanoscale and microscopic scales. One typical example is the formation of self-organized arrays of nanostructures on plasma exposed surfaces. Specific driving forces that lead to the creation of the textures and structures owe to the unique features of the plasma environment, prominently related to charges, electric fields, as well as mobility and reactivity of plasma-generated species. Another example is the possibility to manipulate atomic bonds in nanoporous materials to control nanopore sizes and modify the plasticity of solid materials. In particular, anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) which is normally brittle under normal conditions, can become superplastic subjected to irradiation by energetic ion beams. Examples are provided where interactions at the plasma interface lead to interesting synergistic effects. These interactions lead to several applications in nanoscale synthesis, fabrication and processing, catalytic gas conversion and biomass reforming, new sustainable industrial processes based on green chemistry. Selected examples are related to plasma-catalysis, sustainable, green-chemistry based nanomaterials and chemical processing, as well as exotic high-energy-density physical effects during nano-plasma generation using intense radiation.