Reports: AC7
47021-AC7 Synthesis of Novel Metallodendrimers for Electron Transfer Processes at Nanoscale Interfaces
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. 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 has been published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (2009). Continued efforts on charterizing new compounds are being submitted to Tetrahedron letters.
Three graduate research students have been partially supported by this grant during this reporting period. One of the students completed her Masters degree in Chemistry this past summer and is now working on her Ph.D. in chemistry at the Virginia Commonwealth University. 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. Sean Brooks* and J. C. Poler, Photon enhanced aggregation of SWNTs 16th Annual Undergraduate Conference on Research and Creative Activity Friday, April 17th, 2009 UNC Charlotte (Poster presentation)
2. Twann Corey* and J. C. Poler, Studies of dispersion state of SWNTs by dynamic light scattering, 16th Annual Undergraduate Conference on Research and Creative Activity Friday, April 17th, 2009 UNC Charlotte (Poster presentation)
3. Ruba Kachlan* and J. C. Poler, Aggregation of SWNTs in the shear field of a vortex, 16th Annual Undergraduate Conference on Research and Creative Activity Friday, April 17th, 2009 UNC Charlotte (Poster presentation)
4. Michael Forney** and J. C. Poler, Effect of absorbed water on dispersion of SWNTs into DMF, 9th Annual Niner Research Across the Disciplines Graduate Research Forum, UNC Charlotte, March 21, 2009 (Oral Presentation)
5. Natalie Herring** and J. C. Poler, In situ Electron Transfer Studies of Rigid, ruthenium Complexes Inducing Aggregation of Spherical Nanoparticles, 9th Annual Niner Research Across the Disciplines Graduate Research Forum, UNC Charlotte, March 21, 2009 (Oral Presentation)
6. Jeffrey Alston** and J. C. Poler, Ru Dendrimer Enhanced Photo-Current within Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Thin Film Sensors, 9th Annual Niner Research Across the Disciplines Graduate Research Forum, UNC Charlotte, March 21, 2009 (Oral Presentation)
7. Herring, N. P**.; Poler, J. C. Abstracts of Papers, 238th ACS National Meeting, Washington, DC, United States, August 16-20, 2009 "Ruthenium coordination complex induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles" 2009, COLL-299. (Poster presentation)
8. Poler, J. C.; Dubois, T.; Rosse, S. N.** Abstracts of Papers, 238th ACS National Meeting, Washington, DC, United States, August 16-20, 2009 "Computational studies of charge transfer reagents to single walled carbon nanotubes" 2009, PHYS-430. (Poster presentation)
9. Poler, J. C.; Schmedake, T. A. Abstracts of Papers, 238th ACS National Meeting, Washington, DC, United States, August 16-20, 2009 "Preliminary assessment of Ph.D. program in nanoscale science at UNC Charlotte" 2009, CHED-426. (Oral Presentation)
10. Alston, J. R.**; Brooks, S.*; Poler, J. C. Abstracts of Papers, 238th ACS National Meeting, Washington, DC, United States, August 16-20, 2009 "Photon enhanced aggregation of single walled carbon nanotubes" 2009, COLL-129. (Oral Presentation)
11. Alston, J. R.**; Poler, J. C. Abstracts, 61st Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 21-24 "Heteroleptic Ruthenium Dimers for Rigid Scaffold and Photon Enhanced Supramolecular Interactions" 2009, SRM-535. (Oral Presentation)
12. Forney, M. W.**; Poler, J. C. Abstracts, 61st Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 21-24 "Sonochemical Formation of Methyl Hydroperoxide in Polar Aprotic Solvents and Its Effect On SWNT Dispersion Stability" 2009, SRM-539. (Oral Presentation)
13. Herring, N. P.**; Poler, J. Abstracts, 61st Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 21-24 "Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles by Ruthenium Coordination Compounds" 2009, SRM-685. (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.
