Measuring optical properties of individual SnO2 nanowires via valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy

For the first time, valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy (VEELS) was applied to individual single-crystalline SnO2 nanowires to investigate the dielectric function, band gap, and optical absorption coefficient. The results are compared with data from optical techniques such as spectroscopic ell...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of materials research Vol. 32; no. 13; pp. 2479 - 2486
Main Authors Miller, Derek R., Williams, Robert E., Akbar, Sheikh A., Morris, Pat A., McComb, David W.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, USA Cambridge University Press 14.07.2017
Springer International Publishing
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects
Absorptivity
Applied and Technical Physics
Biomaterials
Dielectric properties
Electron energy
Electrons
Energy
Energy measurement
Inorganic Chemistry
Materials Engineering
Materials research
Materials Science
Mathematical analysis
Nanomaterials
Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology
Nanowires
Optical measurement
Optical properties
Optics
Radiation
Research methodology
Single crystals
Spectroellipsometry
Spectrum analysis
Studies
Tin dioxide
Transmission electron microscopy
oxide
EELS
dielectric properties
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Summary:For the first time, valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy (VEELS) was applied to individual single-crystalline SnO2 nanowires to investigate the dielectric function, band gap, and optical absorption coefficient. The results are compared with data from optical techniques such as spectroscopic ellipsometry and UV-Vis, and theoretical calculations from variations of density functional theory. The data obtained agree well with the standard optical and theoretical techniques. The dielectric function and optical absorption coefficient are given up to 20 eV, which otherwise requires a synchrotron source and large single crystals via optical methods. The energy loss function is given up to 40 eV, which gives a useful comparison to previous theoretical studies in an energy range that cannot be achieved via optical measurements. The comparison gives confidence in the accuracy of this method for exploring spatially-resolved measurements in individual nanoparticles or more complex nanostructures that are otherwise difficult to measure accurately using optical techniques.
ISSN:0884-2914
2044-5326
DOI:10.1557/jmr.2017.173