Electrodeposited copper thiocyanate (CuSCN) thin films and nanowires have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman and optical spectroscopy. In addition, atomic force microscopy (AFM), together with scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), have been employed for structural characterisation. The multiple technique approach allows the correlation between structural, chemical and electrical properties that are unique to the structure of this material. It has been found that CuSCN thin films and nanowires exhibit high crystalline quality with a close to stoichiometric composition. The XPS and Raman spectra suggest that the thiocyanate ion is bound to copper mainly through its Send , with approximately 12-14 % bound via the N-end. The applied absorption spectroscopy (Tauc and Urbach plots) points towards the possible coexistence of two large band gaps for the electrodeposited CuSCN. While its interpretation may be problematic from a purely physical perspective, we believe that this is a direct consequence of the occurrence of two CuSCN domains identified by XPS and Raman. A prominent absorption tail is observed that is assigned as either being due to the high concentration of the traps, or a result of coexisting CuSCN domains. This absorption tail should not be an obstacle for the use of the copper thiocyanate in electronic devices, as the traps density could be reduced by annealing. In addition, non-annealed electrodeposited CuSCN thin films and nanowires of this type have recently been integrated into polymer solar cells and high efficiency has been obtained.

Two-point probe and Raman spectroscopy have been used to investigate the effects of vacuum annealing and argon bombardment on the conduction characteristics of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Surface contamination has a large effect on the two-point probe conductivity measurements which results in inconsistent and nonreproducible contacts. The electric field under the contacts is enhanced which results in overlapping depletion regions when probe separations are small (<4 μm) causing very high resistances. Annealing at 200 and 500 °C reduced the surface contamination on the MWCNT, but high resistance contacts still did not allow intrinsic conductivity measurements of the MWCNT. The high resistance measured due to the overlapping depletion regions was not observed after annealing to 500 °C. Argon bombardment reduced the surface contamination more than vacuum annealing at 500 °C but caused a slight increase in the defects concentration, enabling the resistivity of the MWCNT to be calculated, which is found to be dependent on the CNT diameter. The observations have significant implications for future CNT-based devices.

Translating Raman spectroscopy for colorectal cancer diagnosis with a focus on high-throughput design, inter-user variability and sample handling considerations.

OpUS and PA imaging and will allow for the delivery of light to tissue for other modalities for diagnosis and therapy, with such targeted clinical applications such as the imaging and diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaque as well as the use of photodynamic therapy which has shown great promise as a cancer treatment. [13,80]

ZnO nanosheets are polycrystalline nanostructures that are used in devices including solar cells and gas sensors. However, for efficient and reproducible device operation and contact behaviour the conductivity characteristics must be controlled and surface contaminants removed. Here we use low doses of argon bombardment to remove surface contamination and make reproducible lower resistance contacts. Higher doses strip the surface of the nanosheets altering the contact type from near-ohmic to rectifying by removing the donor-type defects, which photoluminescence shows to be concentrated in the near-surface. Controlled doses of argon treatments allow nanosheets to be customised for device formation.