Introduction

The development of new pathways for the synthesis and processing of functional materials such as metals, semiconductors and isolators, which result in the development of technical devices with improved optic or electronic properties, is of general interest in material sciences. Several general solution-based as well as gas-phase based processes have been developed within the last century. The synthesis of materials became even more important, when it was realized that the physical properties of a substance such as electrical conductivity, specific heat or susceptibility strongly depend on its size. As a consequence, physical properties are determined not any more by the classical physical laws but by quantum mechanics. This line of research found entrance into the literature under the headline of so-called nanomaterials.

Our investigations focused so far on the deposition of thin films of different metals, semiconductors and thermoelectric materials by means of gas-phase based processes, in particular MOCVD and ALD processes. For this purpose, novel single-source as well as dual-source molecular precursors are developed. In addition, the development of wet-chemical procedures for the synthesis of nanoparticles is of particular interest. These research activities are conducted in close cooperation with various groups from physics, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. To this end, the University of Duisburg-Essen with its Centre for Nanointegration CeNIDE provides an ideal scientific environment.