Molecular Electrochemistry as Enabling Technology in Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry

分子电化学作为无机和生物无机化学的使能技术

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-05851
• 负责人: Boeré, René
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: University of Lethbridge
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=748440
• 关键词: Molecular; Electrochemistry; Enabling; Technology; Inorganic

As was dramatically shown by the award of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of lithium-ion batteries (Li-ion), basic research on the most prosaic topics can have world altering outcomes. There are many different Li-ion battery types, but all depend on a knowledge of the intercalation of ions into layered transition-metal oxides and sulfides, topics that were studied for decades before the application to reliable light-weight rechargeable batteries was conceived. A major theme of the proposed research involves the intimate details of the chemistry of sulfur-nitrogen rich molecules. There is certainly a link to another major technology for energy storage, namely the sodium-sulfur battery (regarding behaviour of the trisulfur radical anion S3- in such batteries). However, the more likely future application of this proposal is to miniaturized sensors and detectors for molecular electronics. Another major theme of this research proposal relates to the chemical synthesis of highly reactive organophosphorus compounds. These will be used to develop new chemical compounds with the rare metal ruthenium and testing their biological activity in cells, which have the potential to replace ageing platinum-based chemotherapies to which cancers have developed increased immunity. The original work on platinum compounds came entirely unexpectedly from the use of supposedly inert platinum electrodes to study the effects of electric fields on bacteria. An overarching theme of this proposal is the use of molecular electrochemistry as an enabling technology to guide chemical synthesis, provide mechanistic insights into the basic processes involved in, and induced by, electron-transfer (or `redox') reactions. The work proposed here often requires environments far-removed from daily life. Work is done in inert-atmosphere chambers of various kinds. Structures are measured at the molecular level using high-energy X-ray diffraction. Electrical work employs specialized circuitry that provides high degrees of control on the applied voltages and on the accurate measurement of small currents. Spectroscopy is further used to analyze matter by its interactions with varying frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy uses radio or microwave frequencies on samples held in homogeneous magnetic environments. All these techniques require sophisticated installations of multi-user instrumentation. Finally, in alignment with my training philosophy most of the requested funding goes to provide modest stipends for young HQP who are augmenting their BSc education by several years of full- time research experience, which ultimately has many returns to the Canadian economy. Further increases in fundamental research funding will improve the remuneration of these young people who are being trained to be productive members of the knowledge society.

正如2019年诺贝尔化学奖因锂离子电池（Li-ion）的开发而获得的奖项所戏剧性地表明的那样，最重要主题的基础研究可以改变世界。有许多不同的锂离子电池类型，但都依赖于离子嵌入层状过渡金属氧化物和硫化物的知识，这些主题在应用于可靠的轻质可充电电池之前已经研究了几十年。拟议研究的一个主要主题涉及富硫氮分子化学的细节。当然，这与另一种主要的储能技术有关，即钠硫电池（关于这种电池中三硫自由基阴离子S3-的行为）。然而，这一建议未来更有可能应用于分子电子学的微型传感器和检测器。本研究提案的另一个主要主题涉及高活性有机磷化合物的化学合成。这些将用于开发具有稀有金属钌的新化合物，并测试其在细胞中的生物活性，这些化合物有可能取代老化的铂基化疗药物，癌症已经对这些药物产生了免疫力。最初的铂化合物研究工作完全出乎意料地来自于使用所谓的惰性铂电极来研究电场对细菌的影响。该提案的一个首要主题是使用分子电化学作为一种使能技术，以指导化学合成，提供对电子转移（或“氧化还原”）反应所涉及和引起的基本过程的机械见解。 这里提出的工作往往需要远离日常生活的环境。工作是在各种惰性气氛室中进行的。使用高能X射线衍射在分子水平上测量结构。电气工作采用专门的电路，对施加的电压和小电流的精确测量提供高度的控制。光谱学进一步用于通过其与不同频率的电磁辐射的相互作用来分析物质。磁共振光谱法使用无线电或微波频率的样品保持在均匀的磁场环境。所有这些技术都需要多用户仪器的复杂安装。最后，根据我的培训理念，大部分申请的资金都用于为年轻的HQP提供适度的津贴，他们通过几年的全职研究经验来增加他们的理学学士教育，这最终会给加拿大经济带来许多回报。基础研究经费的进一步增加将提高这些年轻人的薪酬，他们正在接受培训，成为知识社会的生产成员。