Inorganic nanomaterials: Structure, properties and function

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This research program's overarching goal is to develop insight into how structure and composition affect functional properties in simple solid-state inorganic primarily metal-oxide materials. This program targets systems with broadly-defined low dimensionality (e.g. nanomaterials with a physical size less than 100 nm; or materials in which local atomic order is greatly reduced beyond a few nanometers, i.e. amorphous materials). Functionality is always at the centre of our focus; useful catalytic, magnetic and/or optical functional properties are core to this program.Our group has shown that simple, low-cost amorphous metal-oxide coatings offer state-of the art performance for water splitting, an energy-storage method wherein water is split into O2 and H2 fuel, using renewable energy. A challenge in working with amorphous materials is the lack of a structural description, especially under active catalysis. Taking advantage of x-ray spectroscopic methods we will probe structure and oxidation states of materials in situ and in operando. Combined with electrochemical investigations, this will provide an unprecedented insight into how these complex yet simple catalysts function. A second stream of this research program compares how synthetic approaches to amorphous zinc oxide semiconductors influence their physical properties, with the aim of identifying champion methods to making semiconductors that are compatible with low-temperature processing. Finally, a third stream focuses on our recent efforts to develop high-performance iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We have recently shown that maltol, a simple chelating molecule, can bind to the surface of IONPs. We will adapt the strategy we have taken thus far to form IONPs with different compositions to improve magnetic properties and / or toxicity, and create more intricate (e.g. core-shell) nanostructures. The end deliverable of these modifications is a capable MRI contrast agent with maximized solubility and shelf-life, minimized cytotoxicity and adverse biological effects, while at the same time maintaining or improving MRI capabilities.This research program develops the conceptual tools to further design next-generation functional nanoscaled materials that tackle grand-challenge problems, including clean-energy transformation and storage (water-splitting catalysis) and better, accessible health solutions for non-invasive diagnostics (MRI). We take a multidisciplinary approach to preparing and characterizing materials with state-of-the-art methods. The implications of this research program are far-reaching: e.g. the deeper understanding of the oxygen-evolution reaction can find application and benefit myriad industries where energy-intensive small-molecule transformations are required.