Multifunctional Hybrid Nanomaterials

这一原创性和创新性的研究计划主要集中在：1)研究金属纳米颗粒(MNPs)和发光碳点(Cd)的基本性质，以及(2)利用这些知识设计纳米材料和纳米结构，可用于开发自然科学与工程(NSE)目标下的新应用。 硫化镉是一类较新的纳米材料，具有化学毒性低、生物相容性高等优点。它们可以用多个波长激发，其发射从紫外线到近红外(NIR)都是可调的。只有在了解其发光机制的基础上，才能有效地利用CDS的发光特性进行应用开发，我们将使用稳态和动态光谱学对其进行彻底的研究。为了提高它们的发光效率，我们将通过研究核/壳结构中的金属增强发光来开发提高发射量子产率的策略，其中MNP核心被CD壳包围。然后，我们将研究这些混合材料，用于开发二氧化碳光学传感器，以监测腐败(食品安全和智能包装应用)。此外，我们还将把CD传感器集成到聚合物薄膜中，以模拟“真实”的包装条件。我们还将研究以检测和捕获重金属离子为目标的多重分析中的镉。我们将设计高度单分散的、在紫外/可见光范围内发射的镉，并研究其物理化学和光学性质，以及表面钝化技术。此外，我们将研究利用能够捕获金属阳离子的寡核苷酸适配子进行表面修饰的方法，并开发用于检测的灵敏的非辐射电子转移猝灭分析方法(环境和生物传感应用)。最后，我们将寻求设计一种多功能系统，利用我们纳米材料的生物兼容性，并开发一种用于分子货物成像和控制释放的多模式纳米载体系统。这些纳米载体将结合作为加热核心的MNPs和包裹核心并捕获用靶向和治疗剂修饰的CD的热响应性聚合物外壳，作为刺激控制释放策略(靶向药物输送应用)。 我们的研究计划将在纳米材料工程方面取得突破性进展，目标是：(I)培养高素质的人才，以满足学术界和工业界的科学和技术需求；(Ii)开发具体的应用程序，以满足加拿大社会的需求；以及(Iii)为实现未来的技术平台做出贡献，确认加拿大作为纳米技术研究和开发的领导者的角色。

This original and innovative research program focuses on: 1) the study of the fundamental properties of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) and luminescent carbon dots (CDs), as well as (2) leveraging this knowledge to engineer nanomaterials and nanoconstructs that can be exploited for the development of novel applications that fall under the Natural Science and Engineering (NSE) targets. CDs, a relatively new class of nanomaterials, are regarded as having low chemical toxicity and high biocompatibility. They can be excited using multiple wavelengths and their emissions are tuneable from the ultraviolet to near-infrared (NIR). Effective exploitation of the luminescent properties of CDs allows for applications development, only possible upon understanding their luminescence mechanism, which we will thoroughly investigate using steady-state and dynamic spectroscopy. To enhance their luminescence efficiency, we will develop strategies for enhancing the emission quantum yield through studies of metal enhanced luminescence in core/shell architectures, where the MNP core is surrounded by a CD shell. We will then investigate these hybrid materials for the development of carbon dioxide optical sensors to monitor spoilage (food safety and smart packaging applications). In addition, we will integrate the CD sensors in polymer films to mimic “real-life” packaging conditions. We will also study CDs in multiplexing assays targeting the detection and capture of heavy metal ions. We will engineer highly monodisperse CDs, with emissions in the UV/Visible, and study their physico-chemical and optical properties, as well as surface passivation techniques. Moreover, we will study approaches towards surface modification with oligonucleotide aptamers that can capture metallic cations, and develop sensitive non-radiative electron-transfer quenching assays for detection (environmental and biosensing applications). Finally, we will seek to engineer a versatile system that can exploit the biocompatibility of our nanomaterials and develop a multimodal nanocarrier system for imaging and controlled-release of molecular cargo. These nanocarriers will combine MNPs, which will serve as a heating core, and a thermoresponsive polymeric shell, that will encapsulate the core and trap CDs modified with targeting and therapeutic agents, as a stimulated controlled release strategy (targeted drug delivery applications). Our research program will result in ground-breaking advancements in nanomaterials engineering with the aim of: (i) training highly qualified personnel to respond to the scientific and technological demands in academia and industry, (ii) developing concrete applications to address the needs of Canadian society and (iii) contributing towards the realization of the technology platform of the future, affirming Canada’s role as a leader in Nanotechnology research and development.