Porous Silicon and Denim Fiber Bundle Characterization

Abstract

My thesis research aims to characterize and exploit materials in an efficient, rapid, non-destructive manner. Part I of this document summarizes my research on porous silicon (pSi) design, fabrication, and surface modification for use as a novel chemical sensor. The optimization of fabrication process parameters (etching time, etching solution, electrode shape, and the fixing process) on pSi photoluminescence (PL) is presented. I have also investigated the effects of analyte vapors (acetonitrile, toluene, methanol, acetone) on the pSi PL and surface chemistry using luminescence and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and microscopy methods. The mechanism and benefits of one method of pSi surface modification and protection (ultraviolet (UV) hydrosilylation) will also be presented. Finally, high thorough-put methods of pSi sensor production are described. In Part II of this document, I introduce a novel technique for analyzing and discriminating among denim fiber bundles. An investigation into the benefits of luminescence-based multispectral imaging (LMSI) for denim fiber bundle identification has been conducted. I explore the power of nitromethane (CH 3 NO 2 ) based quenching in fiber bundle classification and identify the quenching mechanism. The luminescence spectra (450 - 850 nm) and images from the denim fiber bundles were obtained while exciting at 325 nm or 405 nm. Here, LMSI data were recorded in < 10 s and subsequently assessed by principal component analysis (PCA) and rendered red, green, blue (RGB) component histograms. The results show that LMSI data can be used to rapidly and uniquely classify all the fiber bundle types studied in this research. These non-destructive techniques eliminate extensive sample preparation and allow for rapid multispectral image collection, analysis, and assessment. The quenching data also revealed that the dye molecules within the individual fiber bundles exhibited dramatically different accessibilities to CH 3 NO 2 .