CAS: Understanding Catalyst Roles in Aluminum Nanocrystal Synthesis

CAS：了解铝纳米晶体合成中的催化剂作用

• 批准号: 2154998
• 负责人: Naomi Halas
• 金额: $ 64.5万
• 依托单位: William Marsh Rice University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-07-15 至 2025-06-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2154998&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CAS; Understanding; Catalyst; Roles; Aluminum

With the support of the Chemical Catalysis Program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Naomi Halas of Rice University and Professor Ian Tonks of the University of Minnesota are studying how titanium catalysts can control the formation of aluminum nanocrystals with tunable structural and physical properties. Coinage metal nanoparticles are well-known for their optical properties that arise due to their collective electronic resonances, known as surface plasmons. The plasmonic properties of these materials have been shown to support a range of phenomena including surface enhanced spectroscopy and photothermal heating characteristics. While most studies have focused on gold- and silver-nanoparticles, there is growing interest in earth-abundant metals such as aluminum. The synthesis of aluminum nanocrystals is unique because it requires a titanium catalyst. Professors Halas and Tonks are working together with their research teams to determine how these catalysts work and how they can be controlled to form aluminum nanocrystals with predictable structures and function. These collaborative activities will also combine the scientific safety expertise of the two research groups to share best practices across universities and catalysis fields.While the synthetic chemistry of aluminum nanocrystals has only recently begun to be investigated, there is significant interest in preparing these materials due to the earth-abundance and outstanding plasmonic properties of aluminum. The synthesis of aluminum nanocrystals is distinct from noble and coinage metals in that a catalyst is required for nanocrystal nucleation and growth. Professor Halas and Professor Tonks are working together to develop a comprehensive mechanistic picture of aluminum nanocrystal synthesis. Using a combination of kinetic analysis, model systems, and spectroscopy that blends the catalytic expertise of the two research groups, proposed mechanisms for nucleation will be tested, the impact of the catalyst structure on nanocrystal morphology will be investigated, and the relationship between catalyst and nanocrystal structure will be studied. These activities will provide interdisciplinary training for graduate students from both research groups and support the exchange and enhancement of chemical safety culture between both universities.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.

在化学系化学催化项目的支持下，莱斯大学的Naomi Halas教授和明尼苏达大学的Ian Tonks教授正在研究钛催化剂如何控制具有可调结构和物理特性的铝纳米晶体的形成。钴金属纳米颗粒因其集体电子共振（称为表面等离子体激元）而产生的光学性质而众所周知。这些材料的等离子体特性已被证明支持一系列现象，包括表面增强光谱和光热加热特性。虽然大多数研究都集中在金和银纳米粒子上，但人们对铝等地球上丰富的金属越来越感兴趣。铝纳米晶体的合成是独特的，因为它需要钛催化剂。Halas和Tonks教授正在与他们的研究团队合作，以确定这些催化剂如何工作，以及如何控制它们以形成具有可预测结构和功能的铝纳米晶体。这些合作活动还将联合收割机结合两个研究小组的科学安全专业知识，分享跨大学和催化领域的最佳实践。虽然铝纳米晶体的合成化学最近才开始研究，但由于铝在地球上的丰度和出色的等离子体特性，人们对制备这些材料产生了极大的兴趣。铝纳米晶体的合成不同于贵金属和钴金属，因为铝纳米晶体的成核和生长需要催化剂。Halas教授和Tonks教授正在合作开发一个全面的铝电解质合成机理图。使用动力学分析，模型系统和光谱学的组合，混合了两个研究小组的催化专业知识，提出的成核机制将被测试，催化剂结构对催化剂形态的影响将被调查，催化剂和催化剂结构之间的关系将被研究。这些活动将为来自两个研究小组的研究生提供跨学科的培训，并支持两所大学之间的化学品安全文化的交流和增强。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。