Bioelectrochemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces

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The research program aims to provide novel electronic devices with improved performance and characteristics using nanomaterials and polymers on surfaces. Electrochemistry has played a significant role in the preparation and characterization of the conducting electro-active polymers (CEPs). Electrochemical techniques are especially well suited to the controlled synthesis of these compounds and for the tuning of a well-defined oxidation state. First objective is to investigate the hypothesis that electro-activity of conjugated polymers is significantly influenced by the surface plasmons of metal nanoparticles in the nanocomposite, and can be modulated via electrochemical switching. A second objective is to investigate the hypothesis that as metal nanoparticles physically coalesce to form larger particles, their mean interaction distance reduces such that their surface plasmons interact upon close interaction with the conducting polymer. As a long-term objective, the research program will provide a systematic approach and recipes to develop novel nanocomposite-modified surfaces and interfaces. In this research program, the focus lies on the development of novel electrochemical and plasmonic sensors fabricated on various surfaces (carbon, indium tin oxide (ITO), highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), boron-doped diamond, etc.) that will be modified using CEPs with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metal nanoparticles. For the development of electrochemical biosensors, nanocomposites will be used as active, sensing, or catalytic layers; also as matrices entrapping biomolecules and nanomaterials. Certain metal nanoparticles exhibit excellent synergistic properties with conjugated polymers. Despite intense studies, some fundamental properties of the potential synergistic effects between the conducting polymers and the sequestered nanomaterials are not well understood. These include enhanced conductivity of the polymer after association with the metal nanoparticles, and the driven collective electron oscillation characteristics (localized surface plasmon resonance, LSPR) of the metal nanoparticles during electrochemical switching. This research program is expected to have important implications in improving the stability and performance of novel surfaces using nanomaterials and conducting polymers facilitating the development of next-generation biosensors and chemical sensors. The research program, with its blend of electrochemistry, sensors, nanotechnology, and device fabrication provides excellent HQP training opportunities. During the 5 year period graduate students, MSc and PhD, will be excellently trained on state-of-the-art technology and R therefore contributing actively to Canada's economic wealth and life.