Interfacial Forces and Novel Self-Assembled Surface Structures

界面力和新型自组装表面结构

• 批准号: RGPIN-2014-04076
• 负责人: Horton, Joseph
• 金额: $ 2.48万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=587588
• 关键词: Interfacial; Forces; Novel; Self; Assembled

The research in this proposal explores some of the fundamental processes that take place at interfaces. By interface, we mean the junction between two different phases of matter: here, the liquid-solid interface. The events that take place at solid-liquid interfaces are fundamental to, and indeed often dominate, many chemical processes that are of both academic and practical interest. For example, industrial synthesis of both bulk and fine chemicals; detection of biological molecules in medical devices; and many environmental processes can all take place at a solid-liquid interface. One theme in this research is the detection and separation of chiral molecules. A chiral molecule is one which comes in two forms, which are literally mirror images of one another. The two forms have the same physical properties and so are difficult to detect. However, they react differently if they come into contact with another chiral molecule. Chiral molecules have more than academic interest: just about all biological systems are dominated by them. Consequently, many drug molecules are chiral. For example, the drug salbutamol, or ventolin(TM), used to treat asthma, comes in two chiral forms, referred to as the R- and S-enantiomer, and consists of a 50/50 mixture. The R-enantiomer is the active form, while the S-enantiomer is thought by some to produce many of the side effects associated with the drug. Such behaviour is associated with many pharmacological substances, and therefore developing means of detecting and separating chiral molecules is of great importance. Our research focuses on understanding the fundamental structure-property relationships that underlie the separation of the R and S versions of chiral molecules in a process known as chiral chromatography. Our second research theme involves a previously unrecognized means of modifying surfaces using a process of self-assembly: here, a disordered system of molecules spontaneously evolves into an ordered structure, in this case a single layer (monolayer) of molecules at a surface. Our target class of molecule is called an N-heterocyclic carbene, or NHC. This class of molecule has been known for some time, and is often found as a component of various catalysts. But we have found that it may also be used to form a self-assembled monolayer on Au and potentially other metals, and can profoundly change the properties of the metal – including potential applications in optics, microelectronics and detection technologies. Furthermore, we have found that the carbon-metal bound NHC-based monolayers are potentially far more stable than the current state-of-the-art technologies in this area, which are based on a sulfur-metal chemical bond. NHC-based self-assembled systems are currently a big unknown, but ones which have the potential to revolutionize a number of technologies. In this research, we are intending to focus on both the fundamental aspects of the NHC self-assembly process, and also how an NHC film can be used to replace the sulfur-based chemistry in a biomedical detection technology known as surface plasmon resonance. In summary, interfacial chemistry underlies processes as diverse as purifying mixtures of compounds, the detection of biomolecules, and the production of new photonic and electronic devices. We will address questions that will inform new approaches to these problems as we focus on both the development of new systems of self-assembly on surfaces and methodologies exploring the chemical interactions taking place at these surfaces. At any time, five PhD students and one undergraduate will be engaged in this research, preparing for careers in government or corporate laboratories, business or academia.

该提案中的研究探讨了在接口处发生的一些基本过程。通过界面，我们的意思是物质的两个不同阶段之间的连接：这里是液体固体界面。在固定界面上发生的事件是许多具有学术和实际兴趣的化学过程的基础。例如，散装和细化学物质的工业综合；检测医疗设备中的生物分子；许多环境过程都可以在固定液体接口处进行。 这项研究的一个主题是手性分子的检测和分离。手性分子是一种有两种形式的分子，实际上是彼此的镜像。这两种形式具有相同的物理特性，因此很难检测到。但是，如果它们与另一个手性分子接触，它们的反应有所不同。手性分子的兴趣远不止于学术兴趣：几乎所有生物系统都由它们主导。因此，许多药物分子是手性的。例如，用于治疗哮喘的药物salbutamol或ventolin（TM）有两种手性形式，称为R-和S-Enantiomer，由50/50混合物组成。 R-Anantiomer是活性形式，而某些人认为S-Enantiomer会产生与药物相关的许多副作用。这种行为与许多药物有关，因此开发了检测和分离手性分子的方法非常重要。我们的研究重点是理解基本的结构特性关系，这些关系是手性分子在称为手性色谱的过程中分离的手性分子的基础。 我们的第二个研究主题涉及使用自组装过程修改表面的先前未知的含义：在这里，分子的无序分子系统从一个有序结构中演变成有序结构，在这种情况下，一个表面上的分子（单层）分子。我们的靶标分子类别称为N-杂环卡宾或NHC。这类分子已经闻名了一段时间，并且通常被认为是各种催化剂的组成部分。但是我们发现，它也可以用于在AU和其他可能的其他金属上形成自组装的单层，并且可以深刻地改变金属的性质，包括光学，微电子和检测技术的潜在应用。此外，我们发现，基于NHC的碳 - 金属结合的单层可能比基于硫基金化学键基于该区域的当前最新技术要稳定得多。基于NHC的自组装系统目前是一个很大的未知系统，但是有可能彻底改变许多技术的系统。在这项研究中，我们打算专注于NHC自组装过程的基本方面，以及如何使用NHC膜在被称为表面等离子体共振的生物医学检测技术中替代基于硫的化学。 总而言之，界面化学的基础是过程的分化，作为化合物的净化混合物，生物分子的检测以及新的光子和电子设备的产生。我们将解决这些问题，这些问题将为这些问题提供新的方法，因为我们既关注在这些表面上发生的化学相互作用的表面和方法的新系统的开发。在任何时候，将有五名博士生和一名本科生从事这项研究，为政府或公司实验室，商业或学术界的职业做准备。