Molecular Self-Assemblies Aiming at a priori Design of Functional Materials for Molecular and Biological Recognition: Coordination Based Ion Sensors and "Smart Materials".

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The aim of my research is to develop methodologies for controlled self-assembly of functional molecular units on the surface and to understand how features of individual molecules and surface induced characteristics affect functional properties of the assemblies. To reach this goal, a series of new self-assembled organic and organometallic materials will be prepared and their properties will be investigated and fine-tuned in order to develop efficient metal sensors, protein receptors, and materials for molecular electronics.***This research program will have two main platforms:1) development of selective single metal ion sensors and multianalyte sensing arrays, and preparation of materials with pre-designed properties for a wide range of applications (i.e. display technologies, electrooptic modulators and solar cells). 2) Preparation of hybrid metal-semiconductor nanosurfaces interconnected by organic or organometallic linkers to access stable materials with new properties. ***First our goal is to develop fast, inexpensive and reliable methods for simultaneous detection of deficient or excess levels of essential trace elements and heavy metal contaminations in environmental, food, and biological systems. In particular, detection of parts per billion to parts per million level of iron and zinc, which are indicative of the early stages of various diseases, including various forms of cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, will be investigated for the development of future early diagnosis techniques. The developed methods will permit selective removal of heavy metals from environmental and biological samples and fine chemicals, which in turn will be used for effective waste water analysis and development of treatment procedures. ***Incorporation of particular metal moieties into assembly will allow in vivo and in vitro studies of important metal-protein interactions in bio-fluids. The anticipated outcome at this stage is the development and optimization of a range of efficient sensors for metal ions and biomolecules as well as the development of methods for their integration into multi-target sensing arrays able to analyze complexed bio-fluids. Another research direction will be the development of novel electrochromic materials and hybrid metal semiconductor assemblies for molecular electronics. Self-darkening mirrors, smart windows, nanoscale molecular devices and antimicrobial materials are only a few examples of future applications.***Students who advance this research will learn organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, and surface chemistry; will get strong experience in applying their knowledge to design new materials starting from synthesis of molecular building blocks and assembly them using various binding motifs. This experience is highly demanded in high-skilled professional, scientific and technical services sectors of the Canadian job market.*****