Internship: Probing Interfaces in Plasmonic Gold-Titania Nanorods

Role Overview:
Hybrid plasmonic-semiconductor nanoparticles combine strong light absorption in metals with longer-lived charge carriers in semiconductors, making efficient hot-electron injection across the metal-semiconductor interface key for applications such as photocatalysis. In this project, you will study and engineer the interface between gold nanorods and a TiO₂ shell. Crystalline TiO₂ improves charge-transfer efficiency, but the crystallization process can alter the gold core's shape and hence its optical response. Therefore, different crystallization pathways will be explored to improve the interface while preserving plasmonic properties. The charge transfer efficiency will be measured using single-particle dark-field scattering and (time-resolved) photoluminescence. These measurements will be correlated with structural data from electron microscopy and tomography to reveal how interface structure and morphology govern charge transfer.

Responsibilities:
- Study and engineer the interface between gold nanorods and a TiO₂ shell.
- Explore different crystallization pathways to improve the interface while preserving plasmonic properties.
- Measure charge transfer efficiency using single-particle dark-field scattering and (time-resolved) photoluminescence.
- Correlate measurements with structural data from electron microscopy and tomography to understand how interface structure and morphology govern charge transfer.

Requirements:
- You are currently enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field.
- You have a nationality of an EU-member state and/or you are a student at a university in the Netherlands.
- The internship has to be a mandatory part of your curriculum.
- You expect to be available for at least 5 months, although longer is preferable.

Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in a Master’s program in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field.
- Nationality of an EU-member state and/or student at a university in the Netherlands.
- The internship must be a mandatory part of your curriculum.
- Availability for at least 5 months, preferably longer.

What They Offer:
- Research internship in sustainable energy science as part of the AMOLF Energy Research Academy.
- A research project in one of AMOLF’s research groups combined with a series of dedicated tutorials on fundamental aspects of the science behind sustainability technology.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative research environment at AMOLF, located at Amsterdam Science Park.
- Support and guidance from experienced supervisors.
- A diverse and inclusive work environment.