Functionalization, Supramolecular Encapsulation, and Order in Boron-Nitride Nanostructures

Angel A.威廉·马什·赖斯大学的Martí和Matteo Pasquali得到了化学系大分子，超分子和纳米化学（MSN）计划的支持，以开发化学策略来控制结构并赋予纳米结构所需的性能，特别是氮化硼纳米管。 这是通过表面的化学改性、纳米管内金属有机络合物的封装和表面活性剂的表面覆盖来实现的。 氮化硼具有一系列独特的材料特性，包括良好的导热性、大的带隙、化学惰性和高拉伸强度。 更好地了解这些独特的纳米结构及其特性可以为开发新的传感器，防腐涂层以及用于广泛应用的轻质和坚固材料铺平道路。 在开展拟议研究的过程中，研究生、本科生和高中生将通过参与该项目接受培训。 特别强调的是，在赖斯大学，通过机构方案，在波多黎各，通过路易斯·斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟等方案，向代表性不足的少数民族成员进行宣传。 此外，该项目还包括与NASA兰利研究中心和一家初创公司BNNT LLC的合作。已知氮化硼纳米结构是惰性的，极其稳定，耐化学操纵。 该项目的重点是氮化硼纳米管（BNNT）和其他BN纳米结构的化学改性，以控制其组织并赋予潜在的实际应用性能。 这一目标将通过研究未开发的功能化技术来实现，例如Vilsmeier反应和重氮盐的光分解，以在温和条件下功能化BN纳米结构。 官能化被设计为调节BN纳米结构的表面性质以改变表面能和剥离和/或实现剥离。 BNNT将负载金属络合物和金属氧化物纳米颗粒以产生混合结构，并允许调整BNNT和封装基团的性质。这项研究还将解决BN纳米结构的组织和自组装，通过尝试形成液晶相，利用一些表面活性剂制剂。BNNT周围的表面活性剂的结构，然后将使用小角中子散射进行研究。 预计在这项研究过程中将实现基于BN纳米结构的新科技进步和应用。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并且通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响进行评估，被认为值得支持。审查标准。

Professors Angel A. Martí and Matteo Pasquali of William Marsh Rice University are supported by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program in the Division of Chemistry to develop chemical strategies to control the structure and to impart desirable properties to nanostructures, particularly boron nitride nanotubes. This is to be accomplished through chemical modification of the surface, encapsulation of metal-organic complexes within the nanotubes and surface coverage with surfactants. Boron-nitrides possess a unique set of material properties that include good thermal conductivity, a large band gap, chemical inertness, and high tensile strength. Better understanding of these unique nanostructures and their properties could pave the way for the development of new sensors, anti-corrosive coatings, and light and robust materials for a wide range of applications. In the course of conducting the proposed research, graduate, undergraduate and high school students will be trained through participation in the project. Particular emphasis is on outreach toward members of underrepresented minorities at Rice University through institutional programs and in Puerto Rico through programs such as the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. In addition, the project includes collaboration with NASA Langley Research Center and a startup company, BNNT LLC.Boron nitride nanostructures are known to be inert and extremely stable and resistant to chemical manipulation. This project focuses on the chemical modification of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and other BN nanostructures in an effort to control their organization and impart properties for potential practical applications. This goal is to be achieved by studying unexplored functionalization techniques such as the Vilsmeier reaction and the photo-decomposition of diazonium salts to functionalize BN nanostructures under mild conditions. Functionalization is designed to tune the surface properties of the BN nanostructures to modify the surface energy and dispersibility and/or achieve exfoliation. The BNNTs will be loaded with metal complexes and metal oxide nanoparticles to produce hybrid structures, and allow for the tuning of the properties of BNNTs and the encapsulated group. This research will also address the organization and self-assembly of BN nanostructures through attempts to form liquid crystalline phases by utilizing a number of surfactant preparations. The structure of the surfactants around the BNNTs will then be investigated using small angle neutron scattering. New scientific and technological advances and applications based on BN nanostructures are expected to be realized in the course of this research.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.