Supramolecular Ion Conducting Membranes

在这项由化学部大分子、超分子和纳米化学计划资助的项目中，弗吉尼亚理工大学和州立大学的Louis Madsen将研究一系列高度有序的离子导电材料中离子传输、形态和化学结构之间的相互作用。这些材料将由带有焦点亲水性磺酸头基的楔形两亲性聚酰亚胺堆积分子形成。这些分子将自组装成超分子柱，其中的磺酸基团堆积起来形成定义良好的离子通道。Madsen将使用先进的多模式核磁共振方法来探测这些材料，并将成为马丁·穆勒(德国亚琛大学)将进行高度定制合成的国际合作的一部分，而迪米特里·伊万诺夫(法国穆尔豪斯国家研究中心)将完成先进的X射线和显微镜分析。更广泛的影响包括通过国际合作为研究和教育发展世界基础设施。研究生和博士后将受益于量身定做的指导计划以及这项工作的国际层面。开发清洁的水和可再生能源将是地球上可持续生命所必需的。下一代能源和环境相关技术将依赖于先进材料的开发，以使它们超越单纯的理论。该项目将提供对导电材料的新见解，以应对这些重大挑战。与法国和德国的杰出研究人员进行国际合作，将为研究和教育培育世界基础设施，并在此过程中教育全球科学事业中的美国学生和研究人员。

In this project, funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Louis Madsen of Virginia Polytechnic and State University will investigate interactions between ion transport, morphology, and chemical structure in a range of highly ordered ion-conducting materials. These materials will be formed using wedge-shaped amphiphilic pi-stacked molecules with focal hydrophilic sulfonic acid head groups. These will self-assemble into supramolecular columns, in which sulfonic groups stack to form well defined ion channels. Madsen will use advanced multi-modal NMR methods to probe these materials, and will be part of an international collaboration in which Martin Moller (U. Aachen, Germany) will conduct highly tailored synthesis, and Dimitri Ivanov (CNRS, Mulhouse, France) will accomplish advanced X-ray and microscopy analyses. The broader impacts include developing a world infrastructure for research and education via international collaborations. Graduate students and postdocs will benefit from tailored mentoring programs as well as the international dimension of this work. Developing clean water and renewable energy sources will be required for sustainable life on this planet. Next-generation energy and environment-related technologies will rely on development of advanced materials in order to bring them beyond mere theories. This project will provide new insights into conductive materials to meet these grand challenges. An international collaboration with outstanding researchers in France and Germany will foster a world infrastructure for research and education, and in the process will educate US students and researchers in the global scientific enterprise.