ESTIMABLeNANO · External Stimuli Triggered Self-assembly of Dynamic Nanomaterials
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-04-01 → 2018-03-31
- EU contribution
- €195,455
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
External Stimuli Triggered Self-assembly of Dynamic Nanomaterials
"Hybrid nanostructures comprising semiconductor and plasmonic metal components have emerged as on of the most promising materials for next generation (photo)catalysis, optoelectronics and nanophotonics. One of the most promising way to achieve such complex systems are self-assembly processes utilizing supramolecular systems by which the individual chemical entities can be organized stepwisely into more complex matter via weak and specific yet dynamic interactions. The original assembly approach developed within the project provided constructs with well-defined geometries that allowed to provide light in a highly controllable manner leading to model tunable systems for tracking of light induced charge-transfer processes both in colloids as well as in the solid state. Thereby, the research within the project paved the way to novel nanoparticulate constructs with potential application in emerging technologies. Research carried out within the project allowed for the first time for incorporation of semiconducting NCs into host–guest chemistry of cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s), rigid macrocycles which appeared as one of the most promising self-assembly motifs acting here as: (i) molecular ""handcuffs"" enabling ultra-fine nanoengineering of NC interfaces tethering reversibly a variety of chemical entities and (ii) molecular nanojuctions bridging nanoparticulate constituents to form hybrid inorganic-organic nanomaterials providing high control over morphology of interstitial spaces (Figure 1). The presented project demonstrated that photoactive semiconducting NCs can serve as photo‑switchable nanoparticulate building blocks for the rich host‑guest chemistry of CB[n]. The dynamic interfaces of semiconducting NCs were successfully modified in a controllable manner through the use of CB[n] as a binding motif resulting in interfacial supramolecular nanosystems, whose assembly can be controlled either by classical chemical factors or through favorable interaction with light."
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The emerging interest in hybrid materials whose properties can be significantly changed in a controllable fashion by external stimuli (ES) is the result from their increasing potential applications in a variety of areas including energy conversion, drug-delivery systems, hybrid electronics and catalysis. The external control of self-assembling systems has attracted considerable interest, as it does not require additional components and triggering can be easily achieved in a completely remote manner where and when required.The main goal of this proposal comprises the development of multi-stimuli (i.e. light, electrochemical, temperature) responsive supramolecular systems based on semiconducting and metal nanoparticles (NPs) and their subsequent use in the reversible, controlled assembly of organic-inorganic architectures in water. This will be accomplished by employing one of the most promising self-assembly motifs based on the barrel-shaped cyclic oligomer of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) that can bind within its cavity ES-responsive molecules, i.e. derivatives of viologen (MV) and/or photochromic second guest molecules displaying light-control binding affinity for a MV•CB[8] complex.In the first stage of the project a variety of NPs functionalized by ES-sensitive derivatives will be prepared, which will be further used as nanostructured building units for ES-triggered self-assembly/dissembly of supramolecular discrete NPs systems and complex organic-inorganic networks. The inherent part of the research will be characterization of properties and phenomena occurring within the obtained nanoparticulate assemblies. The initiatives of the project encompass problems across the fields of inorganic chemistry, host-quest interactions, self-assembly processes, materials science, as well as interface and colloid chemistry. The results of the project hold potential applications in materials science, energy conversion, drug-delivery systems, hybrid electronics and catalysis.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE · CAMBRIDGECoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union