Covalent organic modification and functionalization of eletrooptical nanowires

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Nanowires exhibit an excellent surface/volume ratio combined with a semiconducting nature of the material. Their interaction with a specifically designed and deposited organic environment is almost unknown and offers unique possibilities. Within this collaborative research project we study the coating of ZnO, InXGa1-xAs, and InXGa1-xN nanowires. The goals of this work include: - development of reliable coating processes (with priming or direct) - spatial addressing of the deposition - tailor-made properties by the application of organic coating To achieve this aim, suitable organic molecules have to be prepared containing groups which could be activated upon the action of light or electric current. The physical properties of the surface will change dramatically and might eliminate previous drawbacks of leaching or instability towards physiological conditions, e.g. ZnO. The organic coating of these semiconductor nanowires will be the basis of two envisioned concepts. First, the installation of fluorescent dyes will allow the use of quenching for the tracing of explosives or other illicit substances. For this purpose chromophores with a specific affinity to these targets have to be attached. Secondly, the surface of the nanowires will be loaded with organic molecules. The controlled release upon a stimulus will be studied. The trigger for the liberation employs the electrooptical properties of the semiconductor material – emitted light or electric current. The combination of semiconductor nanowires with an organic environment will provide access to novel hybrid structures for sensing and release systems which have almost the dimension of biological cells. All tasks can only be performed in a close collaboration with these partners in this collaborative research group. Their experimental, theoretical and technological expertise will enable the circumvention of present scientific challenges and realize novel concepts beyond the current limits. My group will bring in the chemical know-how and will provide the non-commercially organic coating materials.