• ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7311-272X
• Scopus Author ID: 57193929896
• ResearcherID: O-8541-2018

With the advent of nanotechnology, the unique properties of nanoparticles, essentially owing to their huge surface to volume ratio, attract great attention and inspired researchers to uncover applications in fields like (photo-) catalysis, optics, memristive switching and sensors.

Research of the subgroup “Nanoparticles for functional nanocomposites” is focussed on the fabrication of metal, metal alloy and metal oxide nanoparticles using the gas phase synthesis approach of magnetron sputtering based gas aggregation. The subgroup around Alexander Vahl strives to employ the unique capabilities of the gas aggregation source to fabricate functional nanocomposites with an application potential, for example, in the field of memristive switching, UV- and gas sensors and plasmonic nanostructures. Here, the high purity of the surfactant-free deposition and the beam-like character of the vacuum-based approach are of particular importance to design nanocomposites with tailored properties.

Furthermore, the subgroup is led a high interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the processes involved in nanoparticle formation within the gas aggregation source. In recent research, we have introduced a variety of in-situ diagnostic techniques that allow for enhanced monitoring and control of the deposition process.

With its application-oriented approach, the subgroup is strongly involved in collaborative research initiatives. The research on “Nanoparticles for functional nanocomposites” is supported by strong cooperation with national and international partners and is embedded into the university’s priority research area “Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science (KiNSIS)”.

Alexander Vahl is contributing as a principal investigator with a project on the dynamics of network paths formation and memristive switching in nanoparticle networks to the Collaborative Research Center 1461.

For further details on the research activities please follow the links:

• Formation of the metal or alloy nanoparticles in a gas aggregation cluster source combined with an arbitrary deposition technique for the ceramic or polymer matrix
• In-situ tuning and control of the composition of alloy nanoparticles
• Research and development of magnetron based gas aggregation sources (GAS)
• Tailoring sensor response by nanoparticle surface decoration
• Memristive switching and memsensors