From Nanoparticles to Porous Silicas: Understanding the Self-Assembly of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Materials

命题：从纳米粒子到多孔硅：了解有机-无机杂化材料的自组装命题：CTS-0522435主要研究员：劳尔·F·洛博研究所：德拉瓦大学分析(决策的基本原理)：该项目将研究有机-二氧化硅纳米粒子的自组装，导致在水热条件下形成沸石晶体和介孔M41S类型材料。利用小角散射法和光谱学方法研究了纳米颗粒的结构演变，以阐明有机阳离子对沸石前驱体的影响。颗粒之间的胶体相互作用也将被表征。纳米颗粒将沉积在非多孔和多孔载体上，形成二氧化硅薄膜。这一提议具有创新性和先进性，因为它侧重于发现溶液状态下的分子水平化学和固体状态下的结构知识之间缺失的联系。这一难以捉摸的环节一直是沸石合成中的基本问题之一。合成工作将演示如何利用获得的基本信息来改进现有材料的合成，或作为设计具有新性能的新材料的基础。在这些研究的基础上，还应该有可能预测决定二氧化硅在生长的二氧化硅表面上沉积速度的颗粒-表面力。这项研究将具有很高的基础性，与催化、胶体科学和结晶具有广泛和重要的相关性。该项目的更广泛影响将集中在招收科学和工程专业的小学生和高中生。与少数民族人口众多的地区性高中建立了联系。本科生还将通过大学学者计划参与研究，该计划包括以优异成绩完成学位论文。

AbstractProposal Title: From Nanoparticles to Porous Silicas: Understanding the Self-Assembly of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic MaterialsProposal Number: CTS-0522435Principal Investigator: Raul F. LoboInstitution: University of DelawareAnalysis (rationale for decision):The project will investigate the self-assembly of organic-silica nanoparticles leading to the formation of zeolite crystals and mesoporous M41S type materials under hydrothermal conditions. The structural evolution of the nanoparticles will be examined using small-angle scattering methods and optical spectroscopy to clarify the effect of the organic cation on the zeolite precursors. Colloidal interactions between the particles will also be characterized. The nanoparticles will be deposited on non-porous and porous supports to form silica films. The proposal is innovative and leading edge because of the focus on discovering the missing links between the molecular level chemistry in the solution state and the structural knowledge in the solid state. This elusive link has been one of the fundamental issues in zeolite synthesis. The synthesis work will demonstrate how to use the fundamental information obtained either to improve the synthesis of existing materials or to serve as a foundation for the design of new materials with novel properties. Based on these studies, it should also be possible to predict the particle-surface forces that determine the rate of deposition of silica onto growing silica surfaces. The research will be highly fundamental with broad and important relevance to catalysis, colloid science, and crystallization. The broader impact of the project would be focused on elementary and high school student recruitment for science and engineering. A connection has been made with regional high schools that have a large minority population. Undergraduate students will also be involved in the research through a University Scholars Program, which involves the completion of a thesis for a Degree with Distinction.