Linking supramolecular cages into functional nanomaterials

Bottom-up synthesis of new nanomaterials 

For the supramolecular chemist, metal-ions and organic ligands are often used as ’Lego’ building blocks to form functional materials for applications ranging from catalysis to molecular sensing and separation. 

Witold Bloch supramolecular cages

 

 

Most state-of-the-art materials, however, are synthesised from simple precursors in a ‘one-pot’ synthesis, resulting in limiting control over the material’s composition and performance.

This project will focus on utilising metal-organic cages as building blocks for the synthesis of advanced porous networks. The preparation of functionalised metal-organic cages will involve a mixture of organic/inorganic synthesis, and their characterisation will be carried out with a variety of solution and solid-state techniques.

Optimising the synthetic conditions for their subsequent polymerisation will be one of the main aims of the project. The long-term goals of the project are to utilise these new nanomaterials as heterogeneous catalysts.


Witold Bloch

Supervisors

Dr Witold Marek Bloch

Co-supervisor: Professor Christopher Sumby

Research area: Nanomaterials synthesis

Recommended honours enrolmentHonours in Chemistry

Tagged in Honours projects - Chemistry, Honours projects - Witold Bloch, Honours projects - Chris Sumby