Characterization Platform for Hierarchical Structures in Smart and Multi-Functional Materials and Surfaces

分层结构是一种复杂的宏观功能方法，使用纳米结构作为基本的构建块，其依赖于由微观热力学相互作用引导的自组装，以创建复杂的几何形状。由此产生的结构可以跨越从纳米到宏观尺度的几个层次，具有先进的功能，如机械，热，电和光学特征。分层结构由于其更高的表面积和协同相互作用而比传统结构提供显著的优势。这使得材料具有从分子到宏观尺度的定制特性，使其适合开发多功能智能材料。 新材料的分级结构的表征必须在分子水平到宏观水平上理解。拉曼光谱是分子分析的有力工具，其提供关于结晶度、分子的官能团和分子相互作用的信息，所述分子相互作用是分级结构的关键驱动力。BET（Brunauer-Emmett-Teller）比表面积分析仪从宏观角度提供表面积和孔体积的信息。与拉曼光谱和BET分析仪一起，它们提供了从纳米到宏观尺度表征分级材料的必要信息。该拟议设备旨在支持多伦多大学四个系及其合作研究所的研究计划“智能和多功能材料分层结构表征平台”。本基金申请所要求的设备是一套材料表征套件，包括一台拉曼光谱仪和一台BET表面积分析仪，用于研究为能源和生物医学应用开发的多功能材料和表面的分子结构。主要目标是开发技术，通过在多个长度尺度上创建高度分层的组织来定制和优化先进的材料结构。纳米和分子结构的多功能智能材料的主要应用是：智能传感;能量存储;和生物材料。这些新的表征套件的部署可以让用户充分了解材料的表面形态、成分以及内部和外部孔隙率，并优化纳米级最终产品的性能，从而使材料的固有特性在最终应用中得到充分利用。

Hierarchical Structuring is a complex macroscopic functional approach using nanostructures as the fundamental building blocks that relies on self-assembly, guided by microscopic thermodynamic interactions, to create complex geometries. The resultant structures can span several hierarchical levels from nano- to macro-scale, with advanced functionalities such as mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical features. Hierarchical structures offer significant advantages over traditional structures due to their higher surface area and synergistic interactions. This allows the materials to have tailored properties from molecular to macroscopic scale, making them suitable for development of multi-functional smart materials. Characterization of hierarchical structuring of novel materials has to be understood at molecular level to macroscopic level. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for molecular analysis that provides information on crystallinity, functional groups of molecules, and molecular interactions which are critical driving forces for hierarchical structure. From macroscopic perspectives, BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface area analyzer provides information on surface and pore volume. Together with Raman spectroscopy and BET analyzer, they provide necessary information to characterize the hierarchical materials from nano- to macro-scale. This proposed equipment is intended to support the research program "Characterization Platform for Hierarchical Structures in Smart and Multi-Functional Materials" within four departments at the University of Toronto and their collaborating Institutes. The equipment requested in this grant application is a materials characterization suite consisting of a Raman Spectrometer and a BET surface area analyzer for studying the molecular structure of multi-functional materials and surfaces developed for energy and biomedical applications.The main goal is to develop techniques to tailor and optimize advanced material structures by creating highly hierarchical organization on multiple length scales. The major applications for the nano and molecular structured multi-functional smart materials are: Smart Sensing; Energy Storage; and Biomaterials. The deployment of these new characterization suite can allow users to fully understand the surface morphologies, compositions, and internal and external porosity of the material and optimize the capabilities of the final product at the nanoscale, allowing the material inherent properties to be fully utilized in the end application.