Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Memorial University of Newfoundland
$55,000.00
Synthesis and applications of conjugated polymers with controllable microporosity and electroactivity
FY 2013-14
Summary
Carbon-based nanomaterials constitute the centerpiece of current ""nano""-oriented sciences and technologies, the advancement and fruition of which will lead to immediate, visible, and continuing impacts in the ongoing technology developments. Construction of defined microstructures on the nanometer (one-billionth of a meter) scale in a precise and controlled manner is a sine qua non for the technological applications of nanomaterials, while ""molecular tailoring"" provides the most effective means to achieving this goal.The proposed research will investigate novel conjugated polymer/oligomer-based nanomaterials designed with ""intelligences"" to show defined structural and luminescence responses to external stimuli (electric or photonic). By means of multi-step organic synthesis, two types of nanostructured organic materials will be prepared and investigated. (i) Microporous network polymer membranes that possess nanometer-scale tiny ""pores"", the sizes of which can be expanded and contracted under the control of electric potential. Such microscopic behavior mimics that of the skin pores and can be used as a key component for building a novel type of ""opto-electronic noses"" for sensing various vaporous chemicals. (ii) Linear molecular wires (oligomers) that show multi-stage folding behavior regulated by electric or chemical inputs. These molecular wires are designed to exhibit the Rubik's Snake-like electromechanical properties, and we will explore the use of these materials in fabrication of switchable ""nano-containers"" to encapsulate and sort out molecular or macromolecular hosts, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes. Implementation of the proposed research program will not only enrich our fundamental understanding on advanced nanomaterials and train highly qualified young researchers, but find wide-ranging applications in cutting-edge technologies such as chemical sensors, molecular switches, artificial membranes and skins, and ultra-miniaturized optoelectronic devices.
Program
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Recipient
Location
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
312643-2011
Name nom
Zhao, Yuming
Department département
Chemistry
Organization id
89
Institution établissement
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Province en
Newfoundland and Labrador
Province fr
Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2013
Competition year année de concours
2011
Award amount
55000
Program id
RGPIN
Program name en
Discovery Grants Program - Individual
Program name fr
Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1504
Committee name en
Chemistry
Committee name fr
Chimie
Area of application code
1208
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Materials sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences des matériaux
Research subject code
3700
Research subject group en
Organic chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie organique
Research subject en
Organic chemistry
Research subject fr
Chimie organique
Partie
3
Nb partie
5
Application title
Synthesis and applications of conjugated polymers with controllable microporosity and electroactivity
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Carbon-based nanomaterials constitute the centerpiece of current ""nano""-oriented sciences and technologies, the advancement and fruition of which will lead to immediate, visible, and continuing impacts in the ongoing technology developments. Construction of defined microstructures on the nanometer (one-billionth of a meter) scale in a precise and controlled manner is a sine qua non for the technological applications of nanomaterials, while ""molecular tailoring"" provides the most effective means to achieving this goal.The proposed research will investigate novel conjugated polymer/oligomer-based nanomaterials designed with ""intelligences"" to show defined structural and luminescence responses to external stimuli (electric or photonic). By means of multi-step organic synthesis, two types of nanostructured organic materials will be prepared and investigated. (i) Microporous network polymer membranes that possess nanometer-scale tiny ""pores"", the sizes of which can be expanded and contracted under the control of electric potential. Such microscopic behavior mimics that of the skin pores and can be used as a key component for building a novel type of ""opto-electronic noses"" for sensing various vaporous chemicals. (ii) Linear molecular wires (oligomers) that show multi-stage folding behavior regulated by electric or chemical inputs. These molecular wires are designed to exhibit the Rubik's Snake-like electromechanical properties, and we will explore the use of these materials in fabrication of switchable ""nano-containers"" to encapsulate and sort out molecular or macromolecular hosts, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes. Implementation of the proposed research program will not only enrich our fundamental understanding on advanced nanomaterials and train highly qualified young researchers, but find wide-ranging applications in cutting-edge technologies such as chemical sensors, molecular switches, artificial membranes and skins, and ultra-miniaturized optoelectronic devices.
