Nanochemistry-synthesis in diminishing dimensions

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A portfolio of Nanochemistry projects is presented with different characteristics and aims. They hinge on research recently developed in the PIs group in the areas of Mesoporous Materials, Photonic Crystals, Nanocrystals and Nanowires that take us to uncharted terrain, tackling some of today's most challenging problems and providing an ideal proving ground for disruptive discoveries. The proposal has three main themes. Theme I takes mesoporous materials to new heights through investigations of (i) organic solar cell with nm precision control of donor-acceptor integration, (ii) chemoselective field effect transistor for a molecule discriminating electronic nose, (iii) molecular imprinted periodic mesoporous organosilica for drug detoxification. Theme II describes how the unique ability of photonic crystals to localize and slow light can be applied to the development of drastically more efficient solar cells. Specifically, a chemistry approach is proposed for the creation of enhanced efficiency (iv) silicon photonic crystal solar cell (v) up-conversion silicon photonic crystal solar cell and (vi) dye sensitized photonic crystal solar cell. Theme III focuses on the PIs recent discovery of ultra-thin inorganic nanowires with diameter <1.6 nm. They have stimulated great interest as they represent the first near-ideal platform for the study of the polymer-nanomaterial transition. Objectives will be to explore (vii) the emergence of polymer-like inorganic nanowire properties, (viii) the potential of inorganic nanowire nanothermoelectrics for future power generation and refrigeration systems, (ix) the crosslinking of inorganic nanowires by multidentate ligands and ligand-capped nanocrystals as a synthetic pathway to a new genre of nanowire gels and nanowire meshes for drug molecule sensing and heavy metal sequestration (x) inorganic nanowire composites with DNA to add the recognition capabilities of DNA biopolymer to the electrically conductive and polymer-like properties of the inorganic nanowire. The design and diversity of the proposed projects is meant to challenge and intellectually stimulate the interdisciplinary team approach to research and training of HQP and will prove scientifically rewarding for all involved.