Molecules to Nanomaterials: Tailored Routes to Clusters

含有严格限定数量的金属原子的分子的合成可以通过加入其他类型的元素来辅助，这些元素有助于以控制大小和形状的方式组装这种“簇”。当这种合成与其他分子（配体）串联进行时，这些分子在簇表面形成键以赋予稳定性和刚性，甚至可以制备包含数百个金属原子的簇，同时在原子水平上保持对组成的控制。除了对基础科学的重要性外，这种对簇结构和化学稳定性的控制是显示技术、催化和分子电子学等领域应用导向研究的关键组成部分，这些领域可以跨越物理、化学和材料科学领域。本提案中描述的研究计划的目标是开发新的和更好的方法来合成铸造金属（铜、银、金），其中小分子被设计、制备并构建到高阶分子结构中。该研究计划将：建立制备异常稳定配体表面的方法，以显着提高纳米尺寸团簇的可加工性；结合定制的表面功能的传感和生物标记集群的应用；开发具有特殊表面配体的簇的制备方法，以增强这些含金属分子的固有发光（发光）特性。在这些领域工作的研究生（硕士，博士）和本科生（学士）的学生接受了先进的化学合成，表征方法和纳米材料设计方面的培训。他们能够进入学术界，工业界和政府的高科技劳动力队伍，在那里他们带来了他们的知识，开发的技能和创新，并继续推动现代研究的界限。

The synthesis of molecules that contain a strictly defined number of metal atoms can be assisted by the incorporation of other element types that serve to help assemble such "clusters" in a size and shape controlled manner. When this synthesis is carried out in tandem with other molecules (ligands) that form bonds to cluster surfaces to impart stability and rigidity, it even becomes possible to prepare clusters containing several hundred metal atoms all the while retaining control of composition at the atomic level. In addition to its importance for fundamental science, this control of cluster structure and chemical stability are key components for application oriented research in areas such as display technologies, catalysis and molecular electronics, interdisciplinary fields that can span the realms of physics, chemistry, and materials science. The objectives of the research program described in this proposal are to develop new and better approaches to cluster synthesis for coinage metals (copper; silver; gold) where small molecules are designed, prepared and built into higher order molecular architectures. The research program will: establish methods to prepare exceptionally stable ligand surfaces in order to markedly enhance the processability of nanometer sized clusters; incorporate tailored surface functionality for sensing and biologically labelling applications of clusters; develop methods to prepare clusters with specialized surface ligands in order to enhance the inherent luminescence (light emitting) properties of these coinage metal containing molecules. The graduate (MSc, PhD) and undergraduate (BSc) students working in these areas are trained in advanced chemical synthesis, characterization methods and nanomaterials design. They are able to enter the high tech workforces in academia, industry and government where they bring their knowledge, developed skills sets and innovation, and continue to push the boundaries of modern research.