Dispersion, Chemical Functionalization and Dynamics of Boron-Nitride Nanotubides

化学学部的大分子、超分子和纳米化学项目支持Angel A. Martí教授和莱斯大学Matteo Pasquali教授的项目，研究由硼和氮制成的管状纳米结构的性质，即氮化硼纳米管（bnnt）。本研究的目的是开发化学修饰bnnt表面的方法，并研究其溶液行为。控制溶液中BNNT的表面化学和组织将使其成为各种应用的基础，包括高强度材料，水净化膜，散热材料和防污剂。在探索bnnt的化学性质的同时，pi追求更广泛的影响活动，以扩大未被充分代表的少数民族在科学和工程事业中的参与，并向更大的社区传播化学、工程和纳米科学概念。bnnt是制造纳米结构和新型宏观组件的最终构建块。然而，它们在液体中的化学功能化、分散和相行为，以及它们自组装成超分子有序结构，仍然是这一领域研究的挑战。为了解决这些挑战，提出的研究包括合成带负电荷的BNNTs或氮化硼纳米管（BNNTDs）。BNNTD的性质提供了对BNNTD的可有可无性、化学性质和溶液动力学的控制。本项目主要研究如何通过化学还原法制备BNNTDs，以及BNNTDs与烷基卤化物和芳基卤化物反应使BNNTDs表面功能化。利用显微技术研究了bnnt的溶液动力学。这项研究的结果将加速BNNT科学技术的成熟，有望提供具有不同寻常的性能组合（例如，强，柔性，电绝缘，导热纤维）的新超分子结构。这项研究不仅推动了纳米科学的发展，而且促进了研究生和本科生对先进纳米技术概念的发现和理解。该教育计划包括为从K-12到研究生院的少数族裔学生提供不同主题的讲座，如纳米技术研究、科学和工程职业以及研究生院。

The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division supports the project by Professor Angel A. Martí and Professor Matteo Pasquali of Rice University to study the properties of tubular nanostructures made of boron and nitrogen known as boron-nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The goals of this research are to develop methods to chemically modify the surface of BNNTs and to study their solution behavior. Controlling the surface chemistry and organization of BNNT in solution will allow their utilization as building blocks for a variety of applications including high strength materials, water purification membranes, heat dissipation materials, and antifouling agents. While exploring the chemistry of BNNTs, the PIs pursue broader impact activities to broaden the participation of underrepresented minorities in science and engineering careers and to disseminate chemistry, engineering, and nanoscience concepts to the larger community. BNNTs are the ultimate building blocks for the manufacture of nanoarchitectures and novel macroscopic assemblies. However their chemical functionalization, dispersion, and phase behavior in liquids, and thus their self-assembly into supramolecular ordered structures, are still challenges in this field of research. In order to address these challenges, the proposed research involves synthesizing negatively charged BNNTs, or boron nitrides nanotubides (BNNTDs). The BNNTD properties provide control over the dispensability, chemical properties, and solution dynamics of BNNTs. This project involves studying how to prepare BNNTDs by chemical reduction and the functionalization of the BNNT surface by reaction of BNNTDs with alkyl and aryl halides. The solution dynamics of BNNTs are studied using microscopy techniques. The results of this research will accelerate the maturation of BNNT science and technology, which is expected to provide new supramolecular structures with unusual combinations of properties (e.g., strong, flexible, electrically insulating, thermally conductive fibers). The research not only advances the state-of-knowledge in nanoscience, but also promotes the discovery and understanding of advanced nanotechnology concepts by graduate and undergraduate students. The educational plan includes offering talks to underrepresented minority students from K-12 to graduate school about different topics such as nanotechnology research, careers in science and engineering, and graduate school.