1-Dimensional Metal Oxide Nanostructures: Growth, Properties, and Devices

1-D metal oxide nanostructures, especially those with semiconducting properties, have attracted much attention in recent years due to their potential and emerging applications, specifically in environment purification and energy devices. For these applications, there have been many efforts to grow 1-D nanostructures in the form of nanotubes, nanorods, and nanowires using processes that conserve energy, are cost effective, and can be scaled up for large-scale production.

1-Dimensional Metal Oxide Nanostructures gathers under one title the most recent development of oxide nanomaterials, especially those fabricated via oxidation process in the nanoscale field. Thermal and anodic oxidation processes are reviewed with an aim to offer an in-depth understanding of mechanisms of 1-D nanostructure formation, their characteristics, and limitations. Other more common methods are also discussed, including sol-gel, hydrothermal, and other templated methods. Important applications of 1-D nanostructures are then presented, focusing on oxides like zinc oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, copper oxide, and iron oxide. A chapter on carbon nanotubes hybrid with these oxides is also included as well as one on silicon oxide nanowires formation by local anodic oxidation process.

Aimed at researchers, academics, and engineers working across the fields of nanotechnology, materials science, chemistry, physics, semiconductors, and environmental and biomedical engineering, this essential reference enables readers to grasp the main concepts of nanomaterials in 1-D: formation technique, characteristics, and uses. It also encourages practical innovations in nanotechnology, especially in curbing pressing global issues related to energy, environment, and security.

Zainovia Lockman is a lecturer of Materials Engineering at the School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering (SMMRE), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). She graduated from Imperial College London in 1999 with a first-class honours degree in Materials Science and Engineering. She received her PhD in 2003 from Imperial College London as well majoring in electronics material (superconductors). After receiving her PhD, Dr. Lockman worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at Imperial College before moving to University of Cambridge, UK, working on thin film and nanostructured oxides. Her main interest has since revolved around thin film oxide fabrication via oxidation method for various electronic devices. Upon joining USM in 2004, Dr. Lockman and her research team at SMMRE have focused on electronic semiconducting oxide. In 2006, she went for a long research attachment at University of Cambridge to start on anodic oxidation process for photocatalytic TiO2 nanotubes formation. Dr Lockman is now leading the Nanomaterials Niche Area at SMMRE. Her research team, Green Electronic Nanomaterials Group, has been working on synthesis of oxide nanomaterials (nanotubular, nanowires, nanoparticles and nanopores) for environment protection, energy generation, saving, and transfer (i.e., nanomaterials for green technology). The team has many outstanding achievements portrayed by the vast numbers of research publications in notable, international journals, chapter in books, and research grants awarded. Dr. Lockman is a recipient of Nippon Sheet Glass Foundation Japan award, Malaysian Solid State Science and Technology Society (MASS) award for Young Researcher, Young Scientist Award, Springer, L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award, and United Kingdom Prime Minister's Initiative 2 for International Education (PMI 2) award through Imperial College London. Her research group has also has done various outreach programmes to secondary schools and has helped in community projects for enhancing scientific interest among locals. Dr. Lockman is an active member of Young Scientist Network - Academy of Sciences Malaysia, treasurer for the Microscopy Society Malaysia, and a committee member for Malaysia Nanotechnology Association. She is supervising 13 postgraduate students and graduated 23 since 2006.