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Dr. Hoorfar is a Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Victoria (UVic), where she leads the Microfluidics and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MiNa Lab). She is internationally recognized for her innovative research in microstructure flow, nanoscaled materials, biosensors, and gas sensors, with applications spanning fluid mechanics, biochemistry, and environmental, and energy monitoring.
During my master’s program at UVic, Dr. Hoorfar served as my supervisor for a gas sensing project, where her expertise and leadership greatly influenced my work and research outcomes.
Dr. Rodney Herring, a distinguished faculty member at the UVic, has been the instructor for several advanced courses related to electron microscopy. Under his guidance, I received hands-on training in operating various electron microscopes, including SEM, TEM, STEM, FIB, EELS, etc., and gained a strong conceptual understanding of other microscopy techniques. Additionally, I had the privilege of serving as the Teaching Assistant (TA) for all his courses throughout my program at UVic, further enhancing my expertise in this field.
I successfully defended my master's thesis in January 2024. My research focuses on developing innovative ZnO-based gas sensors designed to detect specific analytes with improved performance under varying humidity conditions. By synthesizing and characterizing ZnO nanostructures, the study optimized their properties to enhance gas detection capabilities. Additionally, incorporating a thin layer of Au nanoparticles onto the ZnO surface significantly reduced the influence of humidity, resulting in a sensor with excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. This work highlights the potential of these sensors for reliable environmental and industrial applications.
Our paper, titled “A Comprehensive Review of Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C₃N₄)–Metal Oxide-Based Nanocomposites: Potential for Photocatalysis and Sensing,” received the Best Paper Award in 2024 in the Nanomaterials journal. This review delves into the synthesis, modification, and properties of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and its nanocomposites with metal oxides like TiO₂, ZnO, and Fe₂O₃. It highlights their enhanced photocatalytic performance and potential in sensing applications, emphasizing light harvesting and catalytic efficiency advances. link
The Hitachi S-4800 field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) is a powerful tool for high-resolution imaging, equipped with a cold field emission electron source. During my time at UVic, I operated this SEM extensively, along with the Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) system, gaining hands-on experience in material characterization and analysis.
ZnO seed layers were prepared using the sol-gel dip coating method with TEA as a complexing agent and ZAD in 1-PrOH. After ten coating cycles, the layers were calcined at 500°C for an hour. For ZnO nanostructure growth, seeded substrates were immersed in a solution of ZNH and HMTA at 90°C for 3 hours. The substrates were then thoroughly cleaned with DI water and acetone.
The second method for preparing ZnO nanostructures (NSs), thermal decomposition, involves heating ZAD in a covered crucible at varying temperatures and durations.
For more details, please refer to my published paper (Link).
The chemical bath deposition method for synthesizing ZnO NSs involves a two-step process. First, a seed layer is formed, as shown in the SEM micrograph (upper Left). Subsequently, aligned ZnO nanosheets and nanorods are grown on this layer, as depicted in the upper right Figures. In contrast, ZnO NSs prepared via the thermal decomposition method consist of unaligned nanorods, as illustrated in Figures a-c. The size of these nanorods varies depending on the fabrication temperature, with samples prepared at 380°C, 480°C, and 580°C.
For more details, please refer to my thesis (Link).
I received training and hands-on experience in operating the Empyrean PANalytical X-ray diffraction system, utilizing Cu-Kα radiation to analyze the crystalline structure of designed materials. This expertise allowed me to characterize and understand the structural properties of various materials through precise XRD pattern analysis.
The XRD pattern of ZAD, heated at 580 °C for 1 h, 3 h, 7 h, 12 h, and 21 h in comparison with the standard pattern of hexagonal wurtzite structure of polycrystalline ZnO structure (JCPDS Card, No. 96-230-0131) are shown in Fig. a. The XRD results of the ZAD heated at 380 °C, 480 °C, and 580 °C for 12 h are illustrated in Fig. b
I received training and gained hands-on experience with various thin film deposition techniques, including DC sputtering (pictured left), thermal evaporation (middle), and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) (right). These techniques allowed me to fabricate high-quality thin films for various material applications, enhancing my expertise in thin film growth and characterization.
Detecting gases is one of our most important projects. We have designed specialized chambers for the detection of both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (pictured left) and hydrogen gas. These chambers are tailored to provide accurate and efficient monitoring of these gases, playing a crucial role in various applications, from environmental monitoring to industrial safety.
A picture of the hydrogen gas detection chamber will be added soon to showcase our work in this area.
Our paper entitled 'Glass-ceramics in dentistry: Fundamentals, technologies, experimental techniques, applications, and open issues' was recognized as a featured publication at Penn State University and. This recognition highlights the impact and relevance of our study in the field of materials science and its contribution to advancing knowledge in ceramic and nanomaterial technologies.
Our paper entitled 'A critical review of bioceramics for magnetic hyperthermia' was among the top-cited papers in the American Ceramic Society Journal for 2022-2023
Honoured as the Best Researcher in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Sharif University of Technology for the 2020-2021 academic year.
I received a Certificate of Presentation for my paper in 2020, “Graphene Quantum Dots-Fe3O4 Magnetoplasmonic Nanostructure as a Potential Candidate for Biomedical Application,” exploring the potential of these nanostructures in biomedical applications.
Best paper Award (this section will be added soon)
I received a Certificate of Presentation for my paper in 2018, “Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relation of Cold-rolled Low Carbon Steel under Electropulsing Treatment (EPT)”.