UrFU Scientist Won E-MRS Young Scientist Award

12:04, June 27, 2018

Yulia Kuznetsova, a post-graduate student of Ural Federal University, won E-MRS Young Scientist Award at the traditional spring meeting of the European Materials Research Society.

Yulia presented the report "Intrinsic Defect-assisted UV-visible Energy Conversion in Gd2O3:Er Nanoparticles". The study is devoted to the study of the role of point defects in low-dimensional solids in the mechanisms of hard electromagnetic radiation transformation in order to increase the efficiency of ultraviolet radiation energy transformation. UV-radiation conversion processes are of fundamental importance for a number of areas: micro- and optoelectronics, quantum information technology, aerospace engineering, alternative energy (for example, new generation solar cells), biophysics, etc.

According to Yulia Kuznetsova, defects in nanoparticles play a very serious role in the formation of their real structure and physical properties. Therefore, having learned to create the necessary defects in the required quantities, we can control characteristics of such materials. In other words, it can give many opportunities for creating completely new functional devices, as well as for significantly improving those already existing - from the computer chip to the power systems of space vehicles.

‘The report summarize the experimental and theoretical results of studies of the energy conversion process in Gd2O3 nanoparticles activated by erbium ions,’ says Yulia Kuznetsova. ‘The analysis showed that the intrinsic defects of the matrix serve as effective donors of UV radiation, thereby forming a new channel for energy conversion with a high quantum yield. We managed to formulate optimal requirements for the type and concentration of defective energy states in Gd2O3:Er nanoparticles, which ensures the achievement of improved conversion parameters. In particular, according to our data, the use of Gd2O3:Er material in solar cells will increase their efficiency by at least 50%.’

The research was carried out at UrFU Institute of Physics and Technology under the guidance of Anatoly Zatsepin, in the scientific laboratory “Physics of Functional Materials of Carbon Micro- and Optoelectronics” and “Photonics and Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy”. Employees of the Departments of Rare Metals and Nanomaterials, Experimental Physics, Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics also made their contribution to the research.

‘Based on the results presented at the E-MRS meeting, we prepared an article for publication in the international journal Physica Status Solidi, indexed in WoS and Scopus,’ says Yulia. ‘We have also established new professional contacts during the event and planned joint research with leading specialists from University of Aveiro (Portugal), University of Helsinki (Finland), University of Cagliari (Italy), University of Florida (USA). I am sure our further research will certainly benefit from this collaboration.’