Molecules to Nanomaterials: Tailored Routes to Clusters

含有严格限定数量的金属原子的分子的合成可以通过加入其他类型的元素来辅助，这些类型的元素有助于以大小和形状可控的方式组装这种“簇”。当这种合成与其他分子(配体)一起进行时，这些分子(配体)与团簇表面形成键以赋予稳定性和刚性，甚至可以制备包含数百个金属原子的团簇，同时保持对原子水平上的组成的控制。除了对基础科学的重要性外，这种对团簇结构和化学稳定性的控制也是面向应用的研究的关键组成部分，这些领域包括显示技术、催化和分子电子学，这些领域是跨越物理、化学和材料科学领域的交叉学科领域。这项建议中描述的研究计划的目标是开发新的和更好的方法来进行硬币金属(铜、银、金)的团簇合成，其中小分子被设计、制备并构建成更高阶的分子结构。该研究计划将：建立制备特别稳定的配体表面的方法，以显著提高纳米团簇的加工性；结合用于传感和生物标记应用的定制表面功能；开发制备具有特殊表面配体的团簇的方法，以增强这些铸币金属分子的固有发光(发光)性能。在这些领域工作的研究生(硕士、博士)和本科生(学士)都接受了先进的化学合成、表征方法和纳米材料设计方面的培训。他们能够进入学术界、工业界和政府的高科技劳动力大军，在那里他们带来了他们的知识、发展的技能和创新，并继续推动现代研究的边界。

The synthesis of molecules that contain a strictly defined number of metal atoms can be assisted by the incorporation of other element types that serve to help assemble such "clusters" in a size and shape controlled manner. When this synthesis is carried out in tandem with other molecules (ligands) that form bonds to cluster surfaces to impart stability and rigidity, it even becomes possible to prepare clusters containing several hundred metal atoms all the while retaining control of composition at the atomic level. In addition to its importance for fundamental science, this control of cluster structure and chemical stability are key components for application oriented research in areas such as display technologies, catalysis and molecular electronics, interdisciplinary fields that can span the realms of physics, chemistry, and materials science. The objectives of the research program described in this proposal are to develop new and better approaches to cluster synthesis for coinage metals (copper; silver; gold) where small molecules are designed, prepared and built into higher order molecular architectures. The research program will: establish methods to prepare exceptionally stable ligand surfaces in order to markedly enhance the processability of nanometer sized clusters; incorporate tailored surface functionality for sensing and biologically labelling applications of clusters; develop methods to prepare clusters with specialized surface ligands in order to enhance the inherent luminescence (light emitting) properties of these coinage metal containing molecules. The graduate (MSc, PhD) and undergraduate (BSc) students working in these areas are trained in advanced chemical synthesis, characterization methods and nanomaterials design. They are able to enter the high tech workforces in academia, industry and government where they bring their knowledge, developed skills sets and innovation, and continue to push the boundaries of modern research.