Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Dendrimer-Encapsulated Nanoparticles

德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的理查德·M·克鲁克斯教授在化学系分析和表面化学计划的支持下，开展了含有少于250个原子的新型树枝状大分子包裹纳米颗粒(DEN)的合成和表征研究。更具体地说，将合成由一个贵金属和一个非贵金属组成的合金和核/壳双金属洞穴，以及由一个金属和一个金属氧化物组成的洞穴，并用EXAFS、高能X射线衍射/对分布函数分析和近原子分辨STEM/X-射线能谱方法进行表征。这些材料被特别选择作为纳米粒子模型催化剂，这些纳米粒子小到足以适应离散傅立叶变换(DFT)计算，从而可以将这些结构复杂的纳米粒子的实验确定的性质与理论进行比较。这建立了一条通过结构-功能关系来基本理解催化剂操作的途径，这是催化领域的一个中心挑战。这项研究将通过最先进的仪器培训、研讨会和其他创新教育活动，使学生和博士后研究人员接触到高质量的研究。

Professor Richard M. Crooks of the University of Texas at Austin is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry to conduct research on the synthesis and characterization of novel dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) containing less than 250 atoms. More specifically, alloy and core/shell bimetallic DENs consisting of one noble metal and one non-noble metal, and DENs consisting of one metal and one metal oxide will be synthesized and characterized by EXAFS, high-energy XRD/pair distribution function analysis, and near-atom-resolved STEM/X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy methods. The materials are specifically chosen to be model nanoparticle catalysts that are small enough to accommodate discrete Fourier transform (DFT) calculations, allowing comparison of the experimentally determined properties of these structurally-complex nanoparticles with theory. This establishes a route to the fundamental understanding of catalyst operation through structure-function relationships, which is a central challenge in the field of catalysis. This research will expose students and postdoctoral researcher to high quality research through training on state-of-the-art instruments, workshops and other innovative educational activities.