Direct Formation

SCHOOL OF MATERIALS AND MINERAL RESOURCES ENGINEERING UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

DIRECT FORMATION OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES ON SUBSTRATES USING SACRIFICIAL GROWTH LOW TEMPERATURE HYDROTHERMAL FOR MEMORY DEVICES APPLICATION by GOH LEAN POH Supervisor: Associate Professor Dr. Khairunisak Abdul Razak Co-supervisor: Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Cheong Kuan Yew

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Materials Engineering)

Universiti Sains Malaysia

June 2012

DECLARATION I hereby declare that I have conducted, completed the research work and written the dissertation entitled “Direct growth of gold nanoparticles on substrates using sacrificial growth low temperature hydrothermal for memory device application”. I also declared that it has not been previously submitted for the award for any degree or diploma or other similar title of this for any other examining body or University.

Name of Student: Goh Lean Poh Date:

Signature:

Witnessed by: Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khairunisak Abdul Razak Date: Signature:

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT It takes tons of hard work to complete this project with the help from many kind and supportive persons. I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratefulness and gratitude to those who have rendered their valuable advice, support and guidance to me during the long journey of completing this thesis. First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor Associate Professor Dr. Khairunisak Abdul Razak for her relentless support, advice and guidance throughout the entire project. Not to forget my co-supervisor Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Cheong Kuan Yew for all the assistance and guidance provided all this while. I am greatly touched by the commitments and dedications they have shown. Without the support and guidance, I would not be able to complete this study. Besides, I would like to thank the Universiti Sains Malaysia for the...