Nanotubular Materials: Intrinsic Properties, Guest Molecules, and Functionalization

*** 非技术摘要*** 纳米管状材料是一种独特的一维纳米材料。它们的新颖特性与独特的管状结构以及与管内部或表面上的客体分子的相互作用密切相关。单壁碳纳米管（SWCNT）和二氧化钛（氧化钛）纳米卷是此类新型材料的两个例子。在这项研究中，核磁共振（NMR）技术将用于研究单壁碳纳米管新型电子特性的一维特征。 核磁共振还将用于研究碳纳米管内的水吸附和传输，这是一个与生物过程相关的问题。将采用多种技术来表征二氧化钛纳米卷的结构。将进行结构修改以优化光学吸收和表面化学等性能。此类研究可能会带来各种重要的应用，包括太阳能电池、高效光催化、有毒分子净化和药物输送。与成立于 1891 年的女子学院梅雷迪思学院 (Meredith College) 建立的合作伙伴关系将为女学生提供极好的研究和教育机会，并帮助引导更多女学生从事科学技术职业。*** 技术摘要***单壁碳纳米管 (SWCNT) 和二氧化钛纳米卷是本研究要研究的两种纳米管材料。 SWCNT 的强相关电子行为特征，例如 Luttinger 液体行为，将通过 13C 核磁共振 (NMR) 研究。限制在纳米直径范围内的单壁碳纳米管内部水的吸附可能导致具有独特分子动力学的有序结构。将使用 1 H NMR 测量气液平衡等温线，同时表征分子动力学。二氧化钛材料研究的一个重要领域是努力减小其带隙，从而实现太阳能的有效收集。利用与客体分子的相互作用，二氧化钛纳米卷提供了二氧化钛纳米晶体无法实现的结构修饰的独特方法。这种改性二氧化钛纳米卷可以具有红移光学吸收光谱。各种表征技术和方法将用于表征和优化二氧化钛纳米卷的结构和性能，以满足广泛的应用。与成立于 1891 年的女子学院梅雷迪思学院 (Meredith College) 建立的合作伙伴关系将为女学生提供极好的研究和教育机会。目标是帮助引导更多女学生从事科技事业。

*** NON-TECHNICAL ABSTRACT ***Nanotubular materials are a unique type of one-dimensional nanomaterials. Their novel properties are intimately related to the unique tubular structures as well as to interactions with guest molecules residing inside or on the surface of the tubes. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and titania (titanium oxide) nanoscrolls are two examples of such novel materials. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques will be employed to investigate the one-dimensional characteristics of novel electronic properties of SWCNTs. NMR will also be used to investigate water adsorption and transport inside carbon nanotubes, an issue with relevance to biological processes. A variety of techniques will be employed to characterize the structure of titania nanoscrolls. Structural modifications will be implemented to optimize properties such as optical absorption and surface chemistry. Such study could lead to various important applications including solar cells, efficient photo-catalysis, decontamination of toxic molecules, and drug delivery. The partnership formed with Meredith College, a women's college founded in 1891, will provide excellent opportunities for female students in research and education and to help guide more female students into pursuing careers in science and technology.*** TECHNICAL ABSTRACT ***Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and titania nanoscrolls are two types of nanotubular materials to be investigated in this study. Characteristics of strongly correlated electron behavior of SWCNTs, such as the Luttinger liquid behavior, will be studied by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Adsorption of water inside SWCNTs confined in a region of nanometer in diameter could lead to ordered structures with unique molecular dynamics. Vapor-liquid equilibrium isotherms will be measured using 1H NMR with simultaneous characterization of molecular dynamics. An important area in the research of titania materials is the effort to reduce their band gaps such that efficient harvesting of solar energy can be realized. Using interactions with guest molecules, titania nanoscrolls offer unique ways for structural modifications that are not possible with titania nanocrystals. Such modified titania nanoscrolls could have red-shifted optical absorption spectra. A variety of characterization techniques and approaches will be used to characterize and optimize the structures and properties of titania nanoscrolls aimed at a wide range of applications. The partnership formed with Meredith College, a women's college founded in 1891, will provide excellent opportunities for female students in research and education. The goal is to help guide more female students into pursuing careers in science and technology.