Supramolecular Materials

拟议的研究是利用超分子化学开发新材料，其中构建块被组织成复杂的结构，赋予它们显着的性能。这种构建层次结构的概念模仿了自然界制造非凡材料的方法，如骨头和贝壳。 在拟议的研究中，分层材料将主要使用纤维素纳米晶体（CNC）和氧化石墨烯（GO）构建，这些纳米材料的厚度小于人类头发宽度的1/10，000。更具体地说，CNC和GO将在弹性材料内部组装，以制造光子结构，这些光子结构会对压力和应力的变化做出颜色变化的响应。 在另一种方法中，纤维素纳米晶体将被组织成高度多孔的结构，可用于容纳海上漏油的石油。最后，开发模拟纤维素纳米晶体结构和性质的分子类似物将为这些非凡的纳米材料提供有价值的见解。 目标材料是全新的，将使用最先进的技术，如电子显微镜和固态核磁共振（NMR）光谱进行研究。 这项研究对于从可再生资源中开发新材料非常重要，并可能导致压力传感，机器人和石油清洁等新应用。

The proposed research is to develop new materials using supramolecular chemistry, where building blocks are organized into complex structures that endow them with remarkable properties. This concept of building hierarchical structures mimics Nature's approach to making remarkable materials, such as bone and shells. In the proposed research, hierarchical materials will be constructed predominantly using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and graphene oxide (GO), nanomaterials that are thinner than 1/10,000th the width of a human hair. More specifically, CNCs and GO will be assembled inside of elastic materials to make photonic structures that respond with colour changes to changes in pressure and stress. In another approach, cellulose nanocrystals will be organized into highly porous structures that can be used to contain oil from oil spills at sea. Finally, development of molecular analogues that mimic the structure and properties of cellulose nanocrystals will provide valuable insight into these remarkable nanomaterials. The target materials are completely new and will be investigated using state-of-the-art techniques such as electron microscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The proposed research is important for developing new materials from renewable resources, and could lead to new applications in pressure sensing, robotics, and oil clean-up.