Nanostructured Metal Oxides and Devices: Optical and Electrical Properties (Materials Horizons: from Nature to Nanomaterials)

This book primarily covers the fundamental science, synthesis, characterization, optoelectronic properties, and applications of metal oxide nanomaterials. It discusses the basic aspects of synthetic procedures and fabrication technologies, explains the related experimental techniques and also elaborates on the current status of nanostructured oxide materials and related devices. Two major aspects of metal oxide nanostructures – their optical and electrical properties – are described in detail. The first five chapters focus on the optical characteristics of semiconducting materials, especially metal oxides at the nanoscale. The following five chapters discuss the electrical properties observed in metal oxide-based semiconductors and the status quo of device-level developments in a variety of applications such as sensors, transistors, dilute magnetic semiconductors, and dielectric materials. The basic science and mechanism behind the optoelectronic phenomena are explained in detail, to aid readers interested in the structure–property symbiosis in semiconducting nanomaterials. In short, the book offers a valuable reference guide for researchers and academics in the areas of material science and semiconductor technology, especially nanophotonics and electronics.

Dr. M. K. Jayaraj is currently a Professor at the Department of Physics, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), India. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. from CUSAT, and completed his postdoctoral research at eminent institutions in India, Italy, France, Japan, and the USA. He is the founder director of the Centre of Excellence in Advanced materials, CUSAT. He is also the mentor of ‘Delgado Coating & Technology Solutions Private Limited’. Dr. Jayaraj is a pioneer in the field of thin-film and nanocomposite devices, including sensors/detectors and energy converters, and transparent conductors for photovoltaics. He has more than 180 research publications, several edited books and book chapters, and patents to his credit. In addition, he was honored with the MRSI Medal 2019, conferred by the Materials Research Society of India.