Our research efforts engage nanomaterial synthesis, single-nanowire spectroscopy, and studies of electronic structure to elucidate the effects of finite size on the phase stabilities and phase transitions of solid-state materials with particular emphasis on early transition metal oxides. A further thrust is focused on using experimental and theoretical X-ray absorption spectroscopy and imaging tools to elucidate electronic structure perturbations at graphene interfaces.

In this talk I will focus on our efforts at preparing nanoscale VO2 structures for switchable thermochromic coatings, colossal metal—insulator switching recently discovered in MxV2O5 bronze phases, and altering the phase stabilities of hafnium/zirconium oxide nanocrystals for use within gate dielectrics. Two key themes of our research are the assembly of fairly complex computing architectures using solution-based methods and the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy to probe finite size effects on the electronic structure of nanomaterials. I will conclude by discussing some recent results on electronic structure imaging of free-standing graphene and graphene interfaces.