LABORATORY OF INNOVATIVE MATERIALS AND ELEMENTS

In situ doping and surface modification of carbon materials, with particular emphasis on nano-diamond layers

Chemical Vapor Deposition

The primary technology of diamond growth in LIME which overcome equilibrium limitation and allow to strictly control processes. AX 5200S SEKI Co.

Physical Vapor Deposition

Technology that enables the creation of multi-layered structures with metals. PVD 75 System Kurt Lesker Co.

Laboratory furnace

The furnace with SiC rod heating (RHTC 80-450 with vacuum flanges, Nabertherm) is used for high-temperature annealing of the diamond particles. Thermal treatment of the nanodiamonds is an indispensable element of many processes of functionalization (e.g., oxidation, carboxylation).

Electrical measurement

Complex measuring station for determining electrical properties of materials include:
- LNP96 COOLING System with Keithley laboratory multimeter.
- Signatone S302 4 point probe system
- Keithley 2450 SourceMeter Unit
- Keysight E4990A Impedance Analyzer
- Four point probe system installed in FormFactor ShieldEnclosure for EMI-shielded, vibration and light isolated enviroment

Wire bonder

HB 05 bonder

Low-temperature measurements

LNP96 COOLING System allows to measure electrical parameters of samples in size up to 10x10 mm in wide range of temperature: from -196°C to +500°C

2D transfer station

A 2D materials microscopic transfer system is a specialized setup for moving atomically thin materials between substrates. It typically consists of an optical microscope, XY stage, heater, and micromanipulator. The system aligns 2D flakes on a polymer with a target substrate using the XY stage for precise positioning. A heater controls adhesion and release through temperature manipulation. Operators locate desired flakes under the microscope, position them over the target, apply heat, and transfer the flake with micrometer-level precision. This process enables the assembly of complex 2D material heterostructures, crucial for nanotechnology research and development.

Glove box

Inert gas atmosphere in isolated environment allows us to work with highly reactive substances. MBraun 200B Glove Chamber

High energy ball mill

The ball mill (Pulverisette 7 classic line, Fritsch) enables to crush diamonds into powders with a final fineness below 1 μm as a result of collision with grinding balls. Wet grinding in a suitably reactive solvent might allow for a simultaneous disaggregation and functionalization of the diamond particles.

Seeding station

Spin coater and ultrasonic baths for coating and seeding.

Ultrasonic homogenizers

The ultrasonic homogenizer (Sonopuls HD 4200, Bandelin) is used for disaggregation of the diamond particles with high-performance, 20kHz ultrasound. Depending on the choice of the solvent and additional, chemically active compounds, the process of decreasing the size of the diamond particles may be paired with their functionalization.

The refrigerated – heating circulator (CORIO CP-200F, Julabo) is used to control the temperature throughout disaggregation of the diamond particles. Avoids the effect of overheating and excessive evaporation of the solvent.particles may be paired with their functionalization.

Plasma cleaners

Plasma cleaner 13.56 MHz

The plasma cleaner (ZEPTO, diener) enables cleaning and termination of diamond surfaces. The 2.6 liter chamber allows for oxygen modification of the diamond surface. The generated plasma RF (13.56 MHz) changes the hydrophobicity of the diamonds and sterilizes them.

Plasma cleaner 40 kHz

The plasma cleaner (ZEPTO, diener) enables cleaning and termination of diamond surfaces. The 2.6 liter chamber allows for oxygen modification of the diamond surface. The generated plasma RF (40 kHz) changes the hydrophobicity of the diamonds and sterilizes them.

Plasma cleaner 13.56 MHz with rotating stage

Nanoparticles analysis

The particle analyser (Zetasizer Nano ZS, Malvern Panalytical) utilizes optical measurement techniques based on light scattering to measure a size distribution (in a range of 0.3 nm to 10 µm), and a zeta potential (in a range of -500 mV to 500 mV) of the diamond particles suspended in liquids. Both quantities are crucial in production, disaggregation, and functionalization of the nanodiamonds. The measurement of the size distribution enables to quickly control parameters and verify results of the ball milling and/or the ultrasonic treatment, while the value of the zeta potential indicates the colloidal stability of the particles in a specific dispersion medium, and provides better understanding of the processes of charge transfer occurring due to the modification of the nanodiamonds’ surface.

Potentiostat/Galvanostat Biologic WP-300 with FRA Module and Faradaic chamber

Deionized water

Hydrolab HPL Smart system for water deionization.

pH meter

Mettler-Toledo SevenCompact

3D Printing

Three-dimensional printing station allows for using different technologies: Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Stereolitography (SLA).
Different materials are used in laboratory, e.g.: polylactid acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), photopolymer resins.

CO2 laser cutter

IR laser cutter 10.2 um

UV laser cutter

UV laser cutter 365 nm

Capillary flow

Home-made platform for capillary flow observation with fluorescence detector.

Elipsometer

Horiba Jobin-Yvon UVicsel

Laminar flow cabinet with UV sterilization

Laminar with UV.

Encapsulating station

High vacuum ampoule preparation stage.

Fluorescence microscope

Fluorescence microscope Delta Optics

Polarization microscope

Lab 40 LP

UV-Vis spectrometer

Metash spectrometer

Refractometer

Multiple Wavelength Digital Refractometer ATR-L Measurement of the critical angle of total reflection at 7 discrete wavelengths,
7 discrete wavelengths inst.: 400, 450, 490, 545, 590, 660, 700 nm