SusChEM: Understanding Microwave Interactions to Control Magnetic Nanocrystal Growth from a Single Source Precursor

可持续和具有成本效益的纳米材料生产需要的合成方法需要少量的能源，快速的反应速率和可回收的成分。 对于工业应用，这些合成方法还必须是可扩展和可再现的。 微波（MW）化学方法可以实现这些性能要求。 Geoffrey Strouse博士正在研究微波化学，以开发合成具有非常小尺寸（纳米颗粒）的磁性合金的新方法。 他特别感兴趣的是确定微波频率，功率和光学性质对基于普鲁士蓝分子的分子簇热分解速率的影响。 普鲁士蓝分子是两种不同的过渡金属，当通过微波加热分解形成金属合金时，会产生具有极强磁性的纳米颗粒。 这些磁性在许多技术应用中可能是有用的。 通过明智地选择MW变量，Strouse博士能够控制纳米级磁体的组成和大小，仔细地根据手头的任务调整其磁特性。 该研究揭示了在纳米颗粒合成中广泛有用的知识，并为可持续的纳米金属系统建立了新的合成路线，可以扩展到工业应用。 在这项研究中开发的MW方法不仅影响磁性和磁体技术领域，而且还可能提供新催化剂的路线。Strouse博士的研究具有广泛的影响，因为它对许多层次的学生都有吸引力。 他积极参与培训在STEM领域代表性不足的学生。 他与高中和中学的科学家互动，为他们提供学习经验，动手科学活动。Strouse博士在他位于佛罗里达州立大学的可公开访问的网站上维护了有关新材料的MW方法学、微波效应和结构特性的最新详细信息。由NSF化学部的大分子、超分子和纳米化学（MSN）计划支持，佛罗里达州立大学的Geoffrey Strouse博士采用微波（MW）化学来开发纳米级双-金属磁体合金。 他的MW合成使用可回收的超临界CO2溶剂和贮存稳定的单源前体（M '[M（CN）6]）n，其中M'、M是因其金属合金形式的磁性而选择的过渡金属。 通过仔细选择微波功率，频率和分子设计，Strouse博士能够通过选择性地耦合到前体中的电偶极子和磁偶极子来控制反应速率。 结合计算研究，介电谱和磁性测量，仪器设计，和材料表征的纳米尺寸的双金属合金被用来制造一系列先进的磁性材料，并调查微波诱导的反应机制。 该研究对工业磁性和催化应用具有广泛的影响，因为该方法具有可扩展性，可以转化为新材料和更大数量的应用。 Strouse博士在他的研究中涉及年轻学生，科学教师，本科生和研究生，并担任STEM领域代表性不足的学生的导师。 他积极参与高中和初中学生的外展活动，并为这些学生提供实践科学活动的学习经验。他积极维护一个网站，用于传播数据，实验方法和详细的MW分析，通过佛罗里达州立大学网页向公众开放。

Sustainable and cost-effective nanomaterial production requires synthesis methods that demand small amounts of energy, rapid reaction rates, and recyclable components. For industrial applications, these synthesis methods must also be scalable and reproducible. Microwave (MW) chemistry methods may achieve these performance demands. Dr. Geoffrey Strouse is investigating microwave chemistry to develop new methods for the synthesis of magnetic alloys with very small dimensions (nanoparticles). He is particularly interested in determining the effects of MW frequency, power, and optical properties on the rate of thermal decomposition of molecular clusters based upon the Prussian blue molecule. Prussian blue molecules have are two different transition metals which, when decomposed by MW heating to form a metal alloy, create a nanoparticle with extremely strong magnetic properties. These magnetic properties may be useful in many technological applications. By judiciously choosing the MW variables, Dr. Strouse is able to control the composition and size of the nanoscale magnet, carefully tailoring its magnetic properties to the task at hand. The research uncovers knowledge that is broadly useful in bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis and establishes new synthetic routes for nano-metal systems that are sustainable and can be scaled to industrial applications. The MW methodology developed in this research impacts not only the fields of magnetism and magnet technology, but may offer routes to new catalysts as well. Dr. Strouse's research has significant broader impacts, since it is attractive to students at many levels. He is actively involved in training students underrepresented in the STEM fields. He interacts with high school and middle school scientists by providing learning experiences for them with hands on scientific activities. Dr. Strouse maintains up-to-date details on MW methodolgy, microwave effects, and structural properties of the new materials on his publically-accessible website at Florida State University.Supported by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program of the Chemistry Division at NSF, Dr. Geoffrey Strouse of Florida State University employs microwave (MW) chemistry to develop new synthesis methodologies for nano-scaled bi-metallic magnet alloys. His MW synthesis uses recyclable supercritical CO2 solvent and a shelf-stable single-source precursor, (M'[M(CN)6])n, where M', M are transition metals chosen for their magnetic properties in the metal alloy form. By careful selection of microwave power, frequency, and molecular design, Dr. Strouse is able to control the rate of the reaction by selectively coupling to electric and magnetic dipoles in the precursor. In conjunction with computational studies, dielectric spectroscopy and magnetic measurements, instrumental design, and materials characterization of the nanosized bi-metallic alloys are used to fabricate a series of advanced magnetic materials and to investigate MW-induced reaction mechanisms. The research has significant broader impact on industrial magnetic and catalytic applications, since the methodology is scalable and may be translated to new materials and larger quantity applications. Dr. Strouse involves young students, science teachers, undergraduate and graduate students in his research, and serves as a mentor of students underrepresented in STEM fields. He is actively engaged in outreach to high school and middle school students, and provides learning experiences for these students with hands-on science activities. He actively maintains a website for dissemination of data, experimental methodology, and detailed MW analysis, accessible to the general public through Florid State University web pages.