Emissive Materials from Supramolecular Platforms

我们的研究计划旨在利用相同类型的分子间相互作用制造独特的分子组装，使生物学有能力形成DNA双螺旋，并通过核糖体进行复杂的化学转化，如肽组装。我们的工作与生物学的不同之处在于，我们正在开发具有工业应用的功能材料，方法是利用分子间相互作用形成具有离散、高效和可访问特性的高阶组件。我们最近已经证明，我们可以将一个发光的Ir金属中心嵌入到“DNA碱基对”类型的结构中，其中客体分子与其补体的氢键显示出增强的光致发光行为和颜色变化。通过稍微改变分子对的结构，我们还可以调整它们的物理和光物理性质。 在我们最新结果的基础上，我们将开始汇编一个免费小分子的库，这将使我们能够探索一系列颜色，而不会改变围绕Ir中心本身的配体的结构。我们特别感兴趣的是，通过调节配对的互补分子，获得用于发光设备的高效真蓝发射体(在工业上仍然难以实现)。使用这种典型的设计，我们还将通过使用双位氢键连接物来形成扩展的高阶结构，以形成超分子聚合物组装，形成纳米颗粒。我们预计这些自愈聚集体的发射性能可以与量子点发射器相媲美。自修复特性值得注意，因为它将允许我们访问用于LED器件制造的新喷墨沉积协议。 利用相关的Ir平台，我们还将组装扩展的多孔晶体固体，称为金属-有机骨架(MOF)，使用光致发光的Ir成分作为传感机制。MOF具有与沸石材料相关的结构，但具有调节各种用途的孔性能的能力。通过将Ir材料的发射成分与我们设计的富质子共配体相结合，我们将展示通过氢键识别小分子的方法来实现离散烟气传感。 最后，该计划将促进我们研究计划中最有价值的部分，即培训熟练和积极的高素质人员。这些人将从我们的计划中脱颖而出，成为加拿大最杰出的科学家，他们的工作将有助于塑造加拿大科学和技术的未来。

Our research program is aimed at making unique molecular assemblies using the same type of intermolecular interactions that give biology its ability to form DNA double helices, and perform complex chemical transformations such as peptide assembly via the ribosome. What differentiates our work from biology is that we are developing functional materials with industrial applications by employing intermolecular interactions to form higher-order assemblies with discrete, efficient and accessible properties. We have recently demonstrated that we can embed a luminescent iridium metal center into a “DNA base-pair” type architecture, where hydrogen bonding of a guest molecule to its complement exhibits enhanced photoluminescent behavior and colour change. By slightly modifying the structures of the molecular pair, we can also tune their physical and photophysical properties. Building on our most recent results, we will begin compiling a library of complimentary small molecules that will allow us to explore a range of colours without changing the structure of the ligand set surrounding iridium center itself. We are particularly interested in accessing an efficient true-blue emitter for light-emitting devices (still industrially difficult to achieve), by tuning the pairing compliment molecule. Using this archetypical design, we will also form extended higher-order structures by employing ditopic H-bonded linkers to form supramolecular polymeric assemblies, formulated into nanoparticles. We expect enhanced emission properties from these self-healing aggregates comparable to quantum dots emitters. The self-healing property is noteworthy, as it will allow us to access new inkjet deposition protocols for LED device fabrication. Using a related iridium platform, we will also assemble extended porous crystalline solids termed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using the photoluminescent iridium component as a sensing mechanism. MOFs have structures related to zeolite materials, but with the ability to tune the properties of the pores for a variety of uses. By combining the emissive component of the iridium material and the proton-rich co-ligand we have designed, we will demonstrate discrete flue-gas sensing by way of small molecule recognition through H-bonding. Finally, the program will facilitate the most valuable element in our research program, which is the training of skilled and motivated Highly Qualified Personnel. These individuals will emerge from our program as some of Canada's most exceptional scientists whose work will help shape the future of Canadian science and technology.