From Nanoparticles to Porous Silicas: Understanding the Self-Assembly of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Materials

摘要提案标题：从纳米粒子到多孔二氧化硅：理解杂化有机-无机材料的自组装提案编号：CTS-0522435主要研究者： 劳尔·F Lobo机构： 特拉华大学分析（决策依据）：该项目将研究有机二氧化硅纳米颗粒的自组装，从而在水热条件下形成沸石晶体和中孔M41 S型材料。 纳米粒子的结构演变将使用小角散射方法和光学光谱来检查，以澄清有机阳离子对沸石前体的影响。 还将表征颗粒之间的胶体相互作用。 纳米颗粒将沉积在无孔和多孔载体上以形成二氧化硅膜。该提案是创新和前沿的，因为重点是发现在溶液状态下的分子水平化学和固体状态下的结构知识之间的缺失联系。这种难以捉摸的联系一直是沸石合成中的基本问题之一。 合成工作将展示如何使用所获得的基本信息来改进现有材料的合成或作为设计具有新特性的新材料的基础。 基于这些研究，它也应该是可能的预测颗粒表面的力量，决定二氧化硅的沉积速率到不断增长的二氧化硅表面。 这项研究将是高度基础性的，与催化、胶体科学和结晶具有广泛而重要的相关性。该项目的更广泛影响将侧重于招收科学和工程专业的小学和高中学生。 与少数民族人口众多的地区高中建立了联系。 本科生也将通过大学学者计划参与研究，该计划涉及完成学位论文。

AbstractProposal Title: From Nanoparticles to Porous Silicas: Understanding the Self-Assembly of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic MaterialsProposal Number: CTS-0522435Principal Investigator: Raul F. LoboInstitution: University of DelawareAnalysis (rationale for decision):The project will investigate the self-assembly of organic-silica nanoparticles leading to the formation of zeolite crystals and mesoporous M41S type materials under hydrothermal conditions. The structural evolution of the nanoparticles will be examined using small-angle scattering methods and optical spectroscopy to clarify the effect of the organic cation on the zeolite precursors. Colloidal interactions between the particles will also be characterized. The nanoparticles will be deposited on non-porous and porous supports to form silica films. The proposal is innovative and leading edge because of the focus on discovering the missing links between the molecular level chemistry in the solution state and the structural knowledge in the solid state. This elusive link has been one of the fundamental issues in zeolite synthesis. The synthesis work will demonstrate how to use the fundamental information obtained either to improve the synthesis of existing materials or to serve as a foundation for the design of new materials with novel properties. Based on these studies, it should also be possible to predict the particle-surface forces that determine the rate of deposition of silica onto growing silica surfaces. The research will be highly fundamental with broad and important relevance to catalysis, colloid science, and crystallization. The broader impact of the project would be focused on elementary and high school student recruitment for science and engineering. A connection has been made with regional high schools that have a large minority population. Undergraduate students will also be involved in the research through a University Scholars Program, which involves the completion of a thesis for a Degree with Distinction.