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47021-AC7
Synthesis of Novel Metallodendrimers for Electron Transfer Processes at Nanoscale Interfaces

Jordan Poler, University of North Carolina (Charlotte)

We were awarded an ACS PRF AC grant to synthesize new large molecular systems that can attach specifically to carbon nanotubes, giving them enhanced functionality.  We have successfully synthesized 3 of the desired supramolecular systems.  Results regarding these novel molecules are being submitted to the journal “Inorganic Chemistry”.  One of the novel molecules that was synthesized during this reporting period, was central to a completed study of directed aggregation of single walled carbon nanotubes.  Those results are being submitted to the Journal of Physical Chemistry C.  A third publication “Mechanically docked metallodendrimers about single walled carbon nanotubes” is under review by the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS).

Four research students have been partially supported by this grant during this reporting period.  There were two graduate students and two undergraduates who contributed to this work this past year.  One of the students completed her Master’s degree in Chemistry this past spring and is now working on her Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Utah.  One of the students completed her B.S. degree in Chemistry with honors this past spring and is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Penn State.  This grant also partially supported a Ph.D. student this past summer.  He is defending his Dissertation this October and has accepted an assistant professor position at the Indian Institute of Science.

During this reporting period, research that was wholly or partially sponsored by the ACS PRF has been presented at National ACS meetings, MRS meetings and other local and regional scientific conferences.

1.        Kobayashi, S.; Poler, J. C. "Synthesis and properties of rigid dendritic coagulants: Morphology and charge state effects on carbon nanotube interactions" Abstracts of Papers, 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, United States, August 19-23, 2007 2007, INOR-250.

2.        Giordano, A.; Poler, J. C. "Critical coagulation concentrations for SWCNTs in non-aqueous solvent" Abstracts of Papers, 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, United States, August 19-23, 2007 2007, COLL-248.

3.        Harsh Chaturvedi and J.C. Poler  “Novel Optoelectronic Transport Studies of Supramolecular Nanotube Assemblies”  Materials Research Society Symposium II, Boston MA, November 29^th 2007.

4.        Shiho Kobayashi and J.C. Poler, “Modifications of Morphology and Charge State to Rigid Supramolecular Coagulants”, 8^th Annual Niner Research Across the Disciplines Graduate Research Forum, UNC Charlotte, March 15^th 2008

5.        Harsh Chaturvedi and J. C. Poler, “Interactions between Photosensitive Ruthenium Complexes and Single walled Carbon Nanotubes”, 8^th Annual Niner Research Across the Disciplines Graduate Research Forum, UNC Charlotte, March 15^th 2008 (1^st Place Oral Presentation)
6.        Stuart N. Rosse and J. C. Poler, “Computational modeling of rigid ruthenium dendrimers interacting with carbon nanotubes” 235^th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans LA, April 6^th 2008

7.        Shiho Kobayashi and J. C. Poler, “Synthesis and characterization of rigid supramolecular coagulants, modifications of morphology and charge state” 235^th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans LA, April 6^th 2008
8.        Andrea Giordano and Jordan Poler, “Aggregation Kinetics of Novel Carbon Nanotube and Ruthenium Metallodendrimer Supramolecular Assemblies” 235^th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans LA, April 6^th 2008
9.        Harsh Chaturvedi and J. C. Poler, “Novel 3-D manufacturing paradigm: Interactions of carbon nanotubes and photosensitive ruthenium complexes” 235^th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans LA, April 6^th 2008 (PHYS 501)

10.     J. C. Poler , Harsh Chaturvedi, Andrea Giordano, and Shiho Kobayashi, “Electron transfer enhanced aggregation of carbon nanotubes” 235^th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans LA, April 6^th 2008 (COLL 454)

11.     Andrea Giordano Harsh Chaturvedi, Shiho Kobayashi and J. C. Poler, “Aggregation Kinetics and Thermodynamics of SWCNTs due to Ruthenium Coordination Complex Interactions” 15^th Annual Undergraduate Conference on Research and Creative Activity, UNC Charlotte, April 18^th 2008 (2^nd Place Oral Presentation)

Central to this funded research is our effort to elucidate a fundamental understanding of directed self-assembly of nanoparticles using supramolecular systems.  Towards this and several series of metallodendrimers need to be synthesized.  These molecules are allowing us to deconvolute the effects of molecular morphology from the charge of the complex.  A better theoretical model for nanoparticle dispersions that we are developing may lead to new technology based on 3-dimensional assemblies of new nanoscale materials.  We believe we can control and affect these nanoparticles and thereby facilitate charge separation for future photovoltaic/solar energy applications.

Professionally, this research project has enabled me to grow and expand my scientific expertise into areas that I had very little prior training or experience.  It is rare when someone at my stage of their career has the opportunity to retool.  These new capabilities in my lab are giving me an advantage with regard to new strategies toward clarifying some fundamental questions regarding interactions at the nanoscale.

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