Nanocomposite thin films - understanding interactions at the nano-to-meso scale to enable control of material properties

纳米复合薄膜 - 了解纳米到介观尺度的相互作用，以实现材料特性的控制

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-06024
• 负责人: Goh, MCynthia
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=712011
• 关键词: Nanocomposite; thin; films; understanding; interactions

My research program is about getting understanding and insight into complex systems interfaces, nanoparticles, composites with several components so as to be able to rationally or systematically design desirable properties. The interface between two bulk phases be they solid, liquid, or gas serves not just to separate them, but also determines interaction and transport between them. Surfaces are ubiquitous, and a microscopic-to-molecular level understanding of processes that occur in them is key to many chemical and biological systems. Unfortunately, they are too complex for a full theoretical model. However, complexity means there is opportunity for the creation of many different types of morphology and, hence, properties. The question is how to address this systematically and reproducibly. In the next five years, our research goal is to control nanostructured thin films to address two target applications. The first application is with regards to the environment: coatings with embedded photocatalysts for the breakdown of organics in water, or NOx in air. The second application is in infection control: coatings with a control on how they interact with micron-scale particles. The eventual goal is targeting bacteria, whether to repel, attract or kill them. In both instances, we will investigate how to: (1) make nanoparticles with optimized desired properties; (2) incorporate them into nanostructured thin films or coatings that have desirable attributes; (3) test the materials, and optimize by iteration. Preliminary studies on the target applications will be conducted, but detailed investigations will have to await funding from relevant partners in specific areas. This proposal is thus about the fundamental issues underpinning the applications, but because we are interested in eventual applications, it imposes extra constraints on the research approach. Hence, we will carry out studies using materials and processes that are cost effective, environmentally-friendly and scalable.

我的研究计划是关于了解和洞察复杂系统界面、纳米颗粒、具有多种成分的复合材料，以便能够合理或系统地设计所需的特性。两个体相（无论是固体、液体还是气体）之间的界面不仅用于分离它们，还决定它们之间的相互作用和传输。表面无处不在，从微观到分子水平理解表面发生的过程是许多化学和生物系统的关键。不幸的是，它们对于完整的理论模型来说太复杂了。然而，复杂性意味着有机会创建许多不同类型的形态，从而创建属性。问题是如何系统地、可重复地解决这个问题。 未来五年，我们的研究目标是控制纳米结构薄膜以满足两个目标应用。第一个应用是关于环境：嵌入光催化剂的涂层，用于分解水中的有机物或空气中的氮氧化物。第二个应用是感染控制：控制涂层与微米级颗粒的相互作用。最终目标是针对细菌，无论是排斥、吸引还是杀死它们。 在这两种情况下，我们将研究如何：（1）制造具有优化的所需特性的纳米颗粒； (2) 将它们纳入具有所需属性的纳米结构薄膜或涂层中； (3)测试材料，迭代优化。将对目标应用进行初步研究，但详细的调查需要等待特定领域相关合作伙伴的资助。因此，该提案涉及支撑应用的基本问题，但由于我们对最终应用感兴趣，因此它对研究方法施加了额外的限制。因此，我们将使用具有成本效益、环保且可扩展的材料和工艺进行研究。