Probing Matter with Photons, Electrons and Neutrons: A Study of Water and Flax

Scattering is a vital mechanism through which we interact with the world. This thesis utilizes various scattering methods to probe the formation of ice structures and interactions between flax based peptides and gold nanoparticles. The topics covered in this work differ greatly, however the approaches taken to investigate the respective systems employ the same concepts of scattering. Scattering provides a basis for the investigation of both water and the flax based semiconducting material. Structural investigations of ice employing primarily elastic scattering methods supplemented by inelastic scattering methods. Electronic structure investigations of the flax based semiconductor employed in elastic scattering methods, with the absorption of visible light also interpreted through the lens of inelastic scattering. Crystalline phases are typically plotted in phase diagrams with pressure and temperature dependence, to denote the stability regions of the different structures. Meta-stable regions relating to transformation and nucleation require further investigation and are often overlooked in these diagrams. Transformation between adjacent phases portrayed in two dimensions depends on the path taken to achieve the transition. This is evident in the recent discourse on ice Ih transformations where one can either observe crystal-crystal transitions, or an intermediate amorphous phase in ice Ih transformation. Dependence on compression rate and temperature play an important role in the mechanism of ice transformation. Standard clathrate hydrate stability relations, between pressure and temperature, imply various clathrates are unlikely to form under high vacuum. However, with appropriate mixtures and heating rates, several improbable hydrates have been formed. Understanding the mechanism of formation is vital to the study of water mixtures in interstellar environments. Solar power is a possible solution to the growing problem of pollution. Conventional solar cells rely on crystalline inorganic materials to absorb sunlight. Advances in organic semiconducting technology and nano-fabrication open new avenues for energy production. Here, bio-organic molecules (Linusorbs) derived from flax seed oil are combined with plasmonic photon absorption in an effort to convert light to electrical power. Devices fabricated exhibited light absorbing properties however power conversion was limited, with hysteresis observed while testing under illumination. Further investigation probed the binding interaction of the peptides and nanoparticles, through insights into the binding angle of the peptide and gold surface. Employing a combination of elastic and inelastic scattering methods structural transformations in water and electronic structure of flax based semiconductor were investigated. These studies have very different applications but are tied together through the methods employed for investigation. Scattering methods can be used to investigate a wide range of parameters in a variety of systems. This thesis shows a small subset of possible scattering methods available.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Saskatchewan

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Bauer, Robert PC

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Bradley, Michael
• Yao, Yansun
• Green, Robert
• Ko, Seok-Bum
• Jiang, Detong

• Ice, Clathrate Hydrate, Peptide, Semiconductor

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10388/15232

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:harvest.usask.ca:10388/15232