Synthesis, Surface Modification and Controlled Assembly of Porous Nanoscale Building Blocks

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thomas Bein
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
• Term: from 2002 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5381213

This German-French project is aimed at developing synthetic strategies for the generation of structurally defined, functionalized porous nanocrystals that will serve as building blocks for the assembly of functional two- and three-dimensional constructs. Tools derived from colloid chemistry, molecular self-assembly and templating concepts will be used in concert to establish hierarchical structures. At the University of Munich (LMU), the project partners will grow structurally/morphologically defined porous nanoscale building blocks from colloidal structures, either via attachment on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) followed by growth, or via different patterning techniques such as spin-coating or micro-contact printing. Furthermore, the direct oriented growth of nanoporous films on functional SAMs from solution will be investigated. The resulting ordered constructs will be examined in applications such as selective chemical sensors and dielectric layers for semiconductor applications. At the University of Mulhouse (LMM), the partners will develop the formation and isolation of molecularly stabilized nanoscale porous building blocks from dense hydrogel systems and via delamination of selected pre-formed crystals. Molecular functionalization of the building block surfaces, drawing on knowledge developed by the LMU-team, will be the tool for the ultimate purpose of assembling three-dimensional organized constructs such as beads, hollow spheres or fibers for catalytic and separation applications. For example, in generating three-dimensional hierarchical objects with different size-ranges of molecular pathways, mass transfer in catalysis can be significantly improved. The resulting materials will be studied for catalytic applications by the LMU-team.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Major Instrumentation: Spectroscopic Ellipsometer
• Instrumentation Group: 5360 Meßgeräte für gestreutes und reflektiertes Licht, optische Oberflächen-Prüfgeräte
• Participating Person: V. Valtchev