Ding Yang Lin, “Synthesis and Transport Properties for ZnOP-Hydrates”
Mentor: Nikolai Kouklin, Materials Science & Engineering, Engineering & Applied Science (College of)
Poster #178
Inorganic hydrate solids play important roles in energy storage, pharmaceutical formulation, and cement hydration. While their structural and thermal properties have been widely studied, their electrical properties remain largely unexplored. Zinc Phosphate Hydrate (ZPH) is widely used for its anticorrosive performance on metals and excellent biocompatibility in biomedical applications such as dental implants. Recent studies have investigated its photocatalytic and electrocatalytic activity in water treatment, but little is known about its electrical behavior. In this work, thin films of ZPH were synthesized on conductive Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) substrates using a simple, low-temperature hydrothermal method. The films were characterized structurally by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). To evaluate electrical properties, we performed four-probe current-voltage (I–V) measurements using a custom-built lab setup, allowing us to analysis the conductivity of the film. Our results show that during current-voltage (I-V) measurements, the ZPH films exhibit semiconductor-like electrical behavior, indicating the presence of intrinsic charge transport within the hydrate structure. This finding highlights the potential of ZPH as a functional material in electronic or optoelectronic applications. As one of the first studies to explore the electrical conductivity of ZPH films, this work opens new avenues for utilizing hydrate solids beyond their traditional roles.