The possibility of modification the properties of thin film metal oxides, primary ZnO and TiO₂,  by adjusting nano-structure and by activation of surfaces will be explored. The properties will be primary adjusted for use in photovoltaic solar cells while results will be applicable for other opto-electronic devices, sensors, catalysts etc.

Project activities assume study of correlation between details of (nano)structural properties with optical, vibrational and electrical from one side and correlation between structure and parameters of deposition from other side. This will enable test of theoretical predictions related to defects and low dimensional structures and models of thin film growth as well. The main challenge is nano-structures elongated in the direction perpendicular to the surface, based on one type of oxide while decorated with other type of oxide. By using these structures significant increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells is expected.

Two basic preparation techniques will be used: (i) chemical methods and (ii) vacuum deposition by magnetrons sputtering and pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The chemical methods (including sol-gel technique and hydrothermal syntheses) enable relatively simple formation of various nano-structures (e. g. nano-crystals, nano-wires, nano-sheets, nano-tubes) providing larger flexibility for optimization of the preparation and better statistics for understanding the correlation between nano-structure and properties. On the other hand, photovoltaic solar cells assume deposition of the films on large areas and for this purpose magnetron sputtering andPLDseem more suitable. Furthermore, the surface modification by plasma treatment looks appealing in combination with vacuum deposition techniques orPLD. That is why the optimal structural properties found by chemical methods will be goal to be obtained by magnetron sputtering orPLDtechniques.

Project will be partially devoted to education of the PhD and Postdoc. students.