The recent progress in synthesis, characterization and assembly of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) oxide nanostructures, along with the unique responsiveness of their electronic, transport and optical properties towards the surface processes, make these nanostructures the promising active elements for chemical and biological sensors, photovoltaic and nano- (opto-) electronic devices and for other applications.

The research dedicated to the fundamental interplay between surface and bulk in 1D metal oxides is one of the frontiers of modern nanotechnology. However, gathering of the data from these tiny objects is an  experimental challenge which requires  new techniques and methods capable to access the spectroscopic and complementary microscopic information at nanostructure’s surface and in real time.

Our goals are:

a) to fabricate nanostructures with pre designed properties

b) to develop surface sensitive analytical / imaging tools and methods  and acquire  spectroscopic and microscopic information from the individual metal oxide 1-D nanostructures.

c) to explore the fundamental surface properties of low dimensional oxides and their influence on nanostructure's electronic and transport properties at meso-, nano- and quantum confinement regimes.

b)  to apply the obtained knowledge and methods  for fabrication and tailoring the real world chemical sensors and catalysts based on quasi-1D metal oxides. In particular:

         (i) clarify the strategies for surface and bulk functionalization of the sensors and catalysts to improve their selectivity and sensitivity (reactivity)

         (ii)  to extend UHV studies of the nanostructures to the high pressure realistic environment, thus bridging so called “pressure gap”.