Controlled Arrangement of Clusters in Mesoporous Materials

• Applicant: Dr. Jasmin Geserick
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2010 to 2012
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 169600172

In this project tailor-made molecular metal clusters will be inserted into a mesostructured inorganic host matrix. The main focus lies on the development of preparative methodologies that may allow the control over the cluster proportion as well as over the cluster-cluster distances. In principle, two different approaches based on sol-gel processes in the presence of structuredirecting agents will be applied. On the one hand, a two-step route will be adopted whereat the build-up of the ordered inorganic matrix with anchor groups within the pores will be followed by a post-synthesis anchoring of the metal clusters and accordingly, the build-up of the clusters within the pores of the host matrix. On the other hand, a (tailor-made) single-source precursor will be employed in addition to cluster fragments and accordingly, cluster ligands for a simultaneous build-up of the inorganic host matrix and the cluster formation within the pores. Both approaches have clear innovative and risky aspects, such as the cluster formation within the pores or the control over two different, concurrent mechanisms that is the sol-gel process, which leads to the build-up of the inorganic host matrix and the cluster formation.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Austria
• Host: Professor Dr. Ulrich Schubert