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Synthetic Nanoscale Objects: Building Blocks for Functional Materials and Devices

Research Project
 | 
01.04.2018
 - 31.03.2022

The proposal follows the SNF rules of one project per applicant in division II. It is divided in five subprojects, each being the subject of a PhD thesis. Even though these five PhD projects are very different in their aims, they have in common that they address current challenges in nano-technology, supramolecular chemistry, and material science, which are addressed by molecular approaches with tailor-made functional structures. The five subprojects are: (I) "Geländer-type" helical structures and (II) macrocyclic model compounds for molecular junctions, (III) giant conjugated graphene belts geared towards molecule based magnetization experiments. Pre-organized reactants for the assembly of (IV) 2D polymers and molecular fabrics and of (V) optically active nanoscale hybrid architectures.(I) "Geländer-type" helical structures consist of an oligophenylene-axis around which a longer oligomer is helically wrapped, resembling the shape of the banister (Geländer in German) of a helical staircase. The next generation of this appealing molecular design concept is geared towards derivatives with conjugated helical "Geländer", which not only is expected to improve their optical features, but also should enable the assembly of model compounds acting as coil-like molecular wires. (II) macrocyclic model compounds for molecular junctions is focused on model compounds for transport experiments in magnetic fields. A molecular loop of considerable dimension shall increase the influence of the magnetic field on the charge carriers and a variety of rod-like metal complexes shall provide insight into the interplay of the magnetic field with the electronic configuration of the central metal ion. (III) giant conjugated graphene belts are expected to have interesting magnetic properties. These molecular analogues of lithographically fabricated nano-scaled metallic structures shall be assembled by combining macrocyclization approaches from acetylene scaffolding strategies with current chemistry geared towards graphen ribbons. The approach might even make Möbius-shaped graphene belts accessible.(IV) 2D polymers and molecular fabrics shall be obtained by profiting from the perfectly pre-organized arrangement of the molecular building blocks in MOF layers. In a second, alternative approach the organization and intermolecular coupling chemistry at the air/water interface of tailor-made heteroleptic Fe(tpy)2 complexes shall make molecular fabrics available.(V) optically active nanoscale hybrid architectures based on our preliminary findings providing mono-functionalized gold nanoparticles in good yields but of too small dimensions to interact with visible light, a new strategy enabling larger particles by the chemically controlled merging shall be developed.

Funding

Synthetic Nanoscale Objects: Building Blocks for Functional Materials and Devices

SNF Projekt (GrantsTool), 04.2018-03.2022 (48)
PI : Mayor, Marcel.

Members (10)

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Marcel Mayor

Principal Investigator
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Alfredo Di Silvestro

Project Member
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Tim Hohner

Project Member
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David Vogel

Project Member
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Erich Henrik Peters

Project Member
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Eric Sidler

Project Member
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