Nanotubular Materials: Intrinsic Properties, Guest Molecules, and Functionalization

纳米管材料是一种独特的一维纳米材料。它们的新特性与独特的管状结构以及与驻留在管内或管表面的客体分子的相互作用密切相关。单壁碳纳米管（SWCNTs）和二氧化钛（氧化钛）纳米卷是这种新型材料的两个例子。在本研究中，将采用核磁共振（NMR）技术来研究SWCNTs新型电子性质的一维特征。核磁共振也将用于研究碳纳米管内部的水吸附和运输，这是一个与生物过程相关的问题。各种技术将被用来表征二氧化钛纳米卷轴的结构。结构修改将实施优化性能，如光学吸收和表面化学。这样的研究可能会导致各种重要的应用，包括太阳能电池、高效光催化、有毒分子的净化和药物输送。与成立于1891年的女子学院梅雷迪思学院结成伙伴关系，将为女学生提供良好的研究和教育机会，并帮助引导更多女学生从事科学和技术事业。***技术摘要***单壁碳纳米管（SWCNTs）和二氧化钛纳米卷是本研究要研究的两种纳米管材料。SWCNTs的强相关电子行为特征，如Luttinger液体行为，将通过13C核磁共振（NMR）进行研究。在纳米直径范围内的SWCNTs内吸附水可以形成具有独特分子动力学的有序结构。气液平衡等温线将测量使用1H核磁共振与分子动力学的同时表征。二氧化钛材料研究的一个重要领域是努力减小其带隙，从而实现有效的太阳能收集。利用与客体分子的相互作用，二氧化钛纳米卷轴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。这种改性的二氧化钛纳米卷具有红移的光学吸收光谱。各种表征技术和方法将被用于表征和优化二氧化钛纳米卷的结构和性能，以实现广泛的应用。与1891年成立的女子学院梅雷迪思学院结成伙伴关系，将为女学生提供良好的研究和教育机会。其目标是帮助引导更多的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.