Metal-organic Framework (MOF) Superstructure Catalysts. The development of new catalyst technology is crucial to uncovering energy-efficient strategies for valorising chemicals. Although the designable pore networks of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) provide a highly favourable environment for heterogeneous catalysis, most stable MOF materials are microporous - possessing pores less than 2 nm - which hinders mass transport. This research will develop novel, hierarchically porous MOF superstruct ....Metal-organic Framework (MOF) Superstructure Catalysts. The development of new catalyst technology is crucial to uncovering energy-efficient strategies for valorising chemicals. Although the designable pore networks of Metal-organic Frameworks (MOFs) provide a highly favourable environment for heterogeneous catalysis, most stable MOF materials are microporous - possessing pores less than 2 nm - which hinders mass transport. This research will develop novel, hierarchically porous MOF superstructures that will overcome these limitations and serve as platform materials for the development of new catalysts. This research will address future challenges in industrial catalysis and realise an important step towards the commercial application of MOF catalysis for valoriation of chemical feedstocks. Read moreRead less
Examining small molecule activation in metal-organic framework pores. This project aims to uncover important chemical knowledge regarding small molecule activation by reactive metal species that are site-isolated and stabilised within the pores of metal-organic frameworks. These insights will lead to the development of new materials that are able to activate small molecules, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and facilitate their conversion to commodity chemicals and fuels. Uncovering energy-ef ....Examining small molecule activation in metal-organic framework pores. This project aims to uncover important chemical knowledge regarding small molecule activation by reactive metal species that are site-isolated and stabilised within the pores of metal-organic frameworks. These insights will lead to the development of new materials that are able to activate small molecules, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and facilitate their conversion to commodity chemicals and fuels. Uncovering energy-efficient strategies for valorising abundant small molecules is a key challenge for future energy sustainability. The outcomes of this project will inform the design of the next-generation catalysts for conversion of methane to methanol, a potential fuel, and facilitate the transition to a clean energy future.Read moreRead less
Metal-organic frameworks at the biointerface. This project aims to understand the chemistry that governs the crystallisation of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) around functional biomacromolecules and explore these bio-composites’ uses. Functional biomacromolecules, such as proteins, could be applied to biotechnology and Industrial biocatalysis. The project will develop MOF-encapsulated biocatalytic platform materials that allow inherently fragile biomacromolecules to remain active in conditions n ....Metal-organic frameworks at the biointerface. This project aims to understand the chemistry that governs the crystallisation of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) around functional biomacromolecules and explore these bio-composites’ uses. Functional biomacromolecules, such as proteins, could be applied to biotechnology and Industrial biocatalysis. The project will develop MOF-encapsulated biocatalytic platform materials that allow inherently fragile biomacromolecules to remain active in conditions needed for industrial processes. This project could advance the widespread commercial application of biocatalysts and biosensors.Read moreRead less
Advancing the Chemistry of Metal-organic Frameworks for Biotechnology. This research will advance the fundamental chemical science required for the emerging field of Metal-organic Framework (MOF) biocomposites. A significant challenge to the commercial use of enzymes (biocatalysis), proteins (protein-based therapeutics) and virus-based vaccines is their instability to elevated temperatures and/or non-biological media. MOFs can encapsulate and protect biomolecules, thereby overcoming this limitat ....Advancing the Chemistry of Metal-organic Frameworks for Biotechnology. This research will advance the fundamental chemical science required for the emerging field of Metal-organic Framework (MOF) biocomposites. A significant challenge to the commercial use of enzymes (biocatalysis), proteins (protein-based therapeutics) and virus-based vaccines is their instability to elevated temperatures and/or non-biological media. MOFs can encapsulate and protect biomolecules, thereby overcoming this limitation. This project will develop fundamental parameters that govern the formation, stability and activity of these biocomposites, expanding the scope of MOF materials available for bioprotection, and enable new developments in the areas of industrial biocatalysis and protein/virus-based therapeutics.Read moreRead less
Responsive nanoporous organic cages. This project will generate advanced materials that are constructed from functional nanoscale building blocks. The general design principles developed in this work will be utilised to synthesise a nanoporous adsorbent system that is able to self regulate its physical properties through dynamic structural responses to its environment.
Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and ....Complex nano-systems for highly selective imaging and targeting of cells. The aim of the project is to design multi-functional nanoparticles that can be tracked by multiple bio-imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography imaging. The nanoparticles are designed to be targetable to specific cell populations and capable of delivering drugs. The project plans to concentrate the MRI-active gadolinium into nanoparticles to generate enhanced images, and to combine this with other imaging modalities to facilitate tracking and sensitivity. Expected outcomes would enable a new approach to extremely accurate and sensitive imaging of tumours to enable the imaging of much smaller tumours than currently possible. This would allow early therapeutic intervention. The nanoparticles are also designed to deliver a therapeutic payload to specific locations, avoiding systemic delivery of toxic anticancer drugs.Read moreRead less
Nanostructured anticorrosive coating for wave energy conversion module. The project will develop new high performance anticorrosion coatings for metal structures, such as a Waverider- a patented wave energy conversion module. It will deliver a strong intellectual property position in the frontier anti-corrosion technology to Australian Industry and train young scientists in the emerging and multidisciplinary field of research.
Metal-organic frameworks as heterogeneous catalytic systems. Catalysts of industrial chemical processes that are soluble in the reaction mixture are often less stable and harder to separate from the products. This project will tackle these issues by integrating such catalysts into an open framework material that combines the advantages of both soluble and insoluble catalysts - a hybrid catalytic material.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100327
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,000.00
Summary
Linking supramolecular nanocages into multi-functional materials. This project aims to advance the complexity of metal-organic materials by ordering discrete nano-cage structures called "metal-organic polyhedra" in a multi-functional porous solid. The project expects to generate critical knowledge in the synthesis of high-performance materials by combining the advantages of metal-organic and dynamic covalent chemistry. The expected outcomes of the project include the development of materials tha ....Linking supramolecular nanocages into multi-functional materials. This project aims to advance the complexity of metal-organic materials by ordering discrete nano-cage structures called "metal-organic polyhedra" in a multi-functional porous solid. The project expects to generate critical knowledge in the synthesis of high-performance materials by combining the advantages of metal-organic and dynamic covalent chemistry. The expected outcomes of the project include the development of materials that are able to sequentially catalyse chemical reactions in a single-batch process. This project should deliver benefits for Australia’s emerging chemical manufacturing industry, such as a reduction in the cost, wastage and environmental impact of the chemical manufacturing industry.Read moreRead less
Controlling the organisation of matter using vortex fluidics. Vortex fluidic devices will be developed and used to construct functional complex molecules and materials, and probe the structure of self assembled systems. The scalable processing will be assessed for application in advanced materials production, the chemical industry and in developing complex molecules for drug discovery.