Physics
Matthias Batzill
Matthias Batzill
Assistant Professor
Contact
Office: SCA 417
Lab: SCA 419
Phone: 813/974-0618
Email:
Links
Education
Ph.D. physics, 1999, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Research
Research Interests:
- Surface science
- Gas-surface interactions
- Structure and electronic properties of metal oxide surfaces
- Nanoclusters and quantum dots
- Solid state gas sensors
- Photocatalysis and photovoltaic for sustainable and renewable energy
In the Nanophysics and Surface Science Laboratory we investigate condensed
matter at the atomic scale. The surface of a material is where the action is;
at a surface the material interacts with its environment and thus many chemical
and physical processes occur at the interface between a solid and a different
medium. Our goal is to understand the structural and electronic properties of
surfaces and to tune these properties in order for the surface to perform new
or improved functions. Currently investigated surface-functional materials are
metal oxides for their use as solid state gas sensors and for solar energy
conversion. Modification of surfaces with nanoclusters to improve their
functionality is one approach to improve and create new functionalities.
Nanoclusters are aggregates of atoms in the realm between molecules and bulk
materials. In this size range condensed matter exhibits new properties, which
can be conveniently tuned by controlling their size. In our laboratory we
assemble clusters atom by atom in the gas phase and subsequently place them on
a support material. This allows investigating the cluster-support interaction
and the cluster size- properties relationship. Most of the sample preparation
and characterization is done under ultra high vacuum conditions to ensure the
integrity of the samples under investigation. In addition to the in-house
measurements; some supplementing photoemission and X-ray absorption studies are
performed at synchrotron facilities.
Research Highlight
Atomic step edge reconstruction on TiO2
Pseudo 3-D view of atom-resolved scanning tunneling microscopy image of monatomic height step edges on TiO2(110) with step orientation along <1-10> crystallographic direction. The atomic-periodicity at the step edges is twice that of the terraces indicating a step edge reconstruction.
Current Courses