MSE Colloquium: Muge Acik, Surfaces and Interfaces of Nanostructured Materials for Energy Efficient Processing

Argonne Scholar-Named Postdoctoral Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory

All dates for this event occur in the past.

264 MacQuigg Labs
105 W. Woodruff Ave
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

Abstract

As an alternative to silicon technology, graphene (nanoelectrode) thin films are fabricated for flexible nanoelectronics and energy storage (ultracapacitors and batteries), and with perovskite thin films (light harvester) for low-cost and energy-efficient photovoltaics. However, modulation of imperfections such as intrinsic defects at the surfaces and interfaces of graphene thin films derived from graphene oxide is a standing challenge. Indeed, uncontrolled chemistry and non-stoichiometry hinge strongly on the quality of graphene-derived thin films in contact with perovskites. Most importantly, the performance and lifetime of perovskite photovoltaics are strongly affected by interfacial chemical modification with high temperature processing and phase transitions during the perovskite growth. Implementation of organic-inorganic graphene nanomaterials in photovoltaics is therefore significant due to controllable band gap through functionalization and n/p doping, high electron mobility and easy solution processability to enhance charge transport efficiency by controlling electron/hole recombination.

In this seminar, I will first introduce how we monitor edge and basal plane oxygen interactions in graphene-derived thin films during thermal reduction of graphene oxide, and at the graphene/perovskite interfaces during the growth of methylammonium lead halide perovskites by in situ spectroscopy to understand defect mechanisms. Next, I will focus on the impact of etch hole formation in the presence of trapped water at the interlayers of reduced graphene oxide at 125°C-350°C. Then, I will present the first experimental demonstration of an unusual infrared band at the edge defects of graphene at 850°C, and discuss edge oxygen termination in graphene at the nanoscale for photovoltaics. Later, I will introduce a new in situ growth method of methylammonium lead halide perovskites as a substrate- and annealing- free approach following a nucleophilic substitution mechanism to address device stability issues. In the light of current fundamental findings, finally, I will review my future research plans for light and energy harvesting hybrid systems with motivation of discovering new materials and processes to improve reliability for wearable nanoelectronics as solar textiles, and for energy and health care.

Bio

Muge Acik is currently an Argonne Scholar-Named Postdoctoral Fellow at Argonne National Laboratory. She obtained a B.S. in chemistry from Izmir Institute of Technology (Turkey), a M.S. in materials science and nanoengineering from Sabanci University (Turkey), and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Texas at Dallas. She also worked for Texas Instruments Inc. as a Technology Transfer Process and a Failure Analysis Engineer, and performed process transfer, failure-defect analysis and thin film characterization for memory device production. Her PhD studies and current research at Argonne focus on fundamental studies with graphene-derived nanomaterials for nanoelectronics, energy storage, and perovskite growth studies for photovoltaics. Dr. Acik has authored more than 24 SCI-index journal publications that are cited more than 2000 times. She is a member of the professional societies of MRS, AVS, and ACS, and the recipient of 2015 Distinguished Joseph Katz Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2011 MRS Graduate Student Silver Award, and 2011 MRS Best Poster Award.