CAREER: Rationally Designing, Synthesizing and Self-Assembling Multifunctional, Hybrid Nanostructured Organosilica and Organosilica-Titania Materials for Catalysis

这项由无机化学、生物无机化学和金属有机化学及固态化学项目颁发的职业奖支持锡拉丘兹大学的Tewodros Asefa教授合理设计和开发包含多个活性官能团的多功能金属氧化物纳米材料。这些材料有望催化化学反应，提高反应速度和产率。活性、功能性催化中心的可控分布可以使纳米材料同时催化几个化学反应，从而以更高的产率、更少的有害副产品和更低的成本高效地生产精细化学品和合成材料。参与这项研究的本科生和研究生将学习如何合成对空气敏感的有机硅烷前体和固态材料，并将获得将这些材料应用于各种催化反应的宝贵技能。这项拟议的工作将使Asefa教授能够实现他的多管齐下的教育目标：(1)为高危学生开发一个由同行主导的与数学相关的化学课题的辅导支持计划。理科专业和非专业都将被录取。该计划可能会提高在锡拉丘兹大学及其他地方注册的本科生的保留率。(2)通过积极参加锡拉丘兹当地的科学中心和夏令营，提高初中生、高中生和大学生对科学的兴趣；以及(3)在锡拉丘兹大学及其周边地区开设和扩大纳米科学和材料化学的本科生和研究生课程。

This CAREER award by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic, and Organometallic Chemistry and Solid State Chemistry Programs supports work by Professor Tewodros Asefa at Syracuse University to rationally design and develop multifunctional metal-oxide nanomaterials that contain multiple active functional groups distributed at controlled intervals. The materials are expected to catalyze chemical reactions, enhancing their reaction rates and yields. The controlled distribution of the active, functional catalytic sites may enable the nanomaterials to catalyze several chemical reactions simultaneously, thereby efficiently producing fine chemicals and synthetic materials with higher yields, fewer unwanted byproducts, and reduced cost. Undergraduate and graduate students participating in this research will learn how to synthesize air-sensitive organosilane precursors and solid-state materials and will gain valuable skills in applying these materials to various catalytic reactions. The proposed work will enable Professor Asefa to realize his multi-pronged educational objectives: (1) to develop a peer-led tutoring support program on math-related chemistry topics for at-risk students. Both science majors and non-majors will be enrolled. The program may increase the retention rates for undergraduate students enrolled in gateway courses at Syracuse University and beyond. (2) to increase interest in the sciences among middle, high school, and college students through active participation in Syracuse's local science center and summer science camps; and (3) to create and expand undergraduate and graduate course offerings in nanoscience and materials chemistry at and around Syracuse University.