New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contrib ....New metal-molecule binding motifs for self-assembled monolayers and nanodevices. The goal of this research is to investigate technologically interesting electronic materials using new molecular assemblies. We explore their application in some fundamental components of molecular electronic systems and anticipate that knowledge gained from our investigations will have significant impact on the field of nanotechnology, especially in the area of molecular electronics. Our basic research will contribute to Australia's reputation as a source of innovative research and ideas in an area where there is growing international momentum.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453823
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,124.00
Summary
Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated ....Atomic Force Microscopy Facility for Soft Interfaces. This proposal seeks to establish a specialized atomic force microscopy facility capable of performing measurements on nanometre scales at soft interfaces. This will service the needs of and collaboration between leading researchers at the Universities of Newcastle, Melbourne, New South Wales and James Cook University. The facility will allow direct measurements of properties of the interactions between atoms, molecules and surfaces associated with soft interfaces which are required for ongoing research in fluid-fluid interfaces, surfactant and polymer adsorbed layers, and biomolecules as well as to develop new processes in emerging fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical and pharmaceutical production.Read moreRead less
Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. I ....Self-Organised 3-D Arrays of Stimulus Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles. At the core of developments in nanotechnology is a desire to manufacture functional devices from molecular or colloidal building blocks. A significant component of this effort is directed at the self-assembly of these materials on solid substrates. Ultimately, the development of higher order functional nanomaterials requires a fine control over the 3-dimensional location of each component; this is a significant problem. In this project our aim is to develop novel self-assembled surface coatings using block copolymer micelles. Spatial control of the micelle adsorption at the solid-aqueous interface will give us a significant degree of control over molecular location in 3-dimensions.Read moreRead less
Surfactant Self-Assembly in Ionic Liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids have emerged recently as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, catalysis, and electrochemical applications. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding, and train young researchers in the use of RTILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new technologies by adaptin ....Surfactant Self-Assembly in Ionic Liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids have emerged recently as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, catalysis, and electrochemical applications. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding, and train young researchers in the use of RTILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new technologies by adapting water-based surfactant technologies to a range of low-volatility RTILs. Examples include new mesoporous catalysts, nanostructured self-assembled scaffolds and composite materials, nanoparticle synthesis, novel lubricants and drug-delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces. Ionic liquids (ILs) have recently emerged as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, but applications based on their unusual physical properties have been vastly under-exploited. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding of ILs, and train young researchers in the use of ILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will en ....Adsorption and Structure at Ionic Liquid Interfaces. Ionic liquids (ILs) have recently emerged as important environmentally-friendly solvents for synthesis, but applications based on their unusual physical properties have been vastly under-exploited. This project will generate significant new fundamental understanding of ILs, and train young researchers in the use of ILs and advanced characterization techniques at honours, postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. The results of this project will enable the development of new or improved technologies by facilitating the use of ILs in specialised products. Examples include novel lubricants, catalytic mediums, surface coatings, nanostructured self-assembled scaffolds and composite materials, nanoparticle synthesis, and drug-delivery systems.Read moreRead less
Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest i ....Preparation of nanostructured surfaces by electrochemical deposition through lyotropic liquid-crystal templates. Hexagonal-phase lyotropic liquid crystals may be used as templates to deposit metals on electrodes. The sizes of the structures made by this method are a few nanometres. We propose to exploit both the aqueous and non-aqueous parts of the liquid crystal to deposit different metals, polymers or metals and polymers. Thin metal wires (nano-wires) sheathed in polymer will be the thinnest insulated wires ever made. Carbon nanotubes will also be aligned in the hexagonal hole in the template allowing exploitation of these unique species. The structures that will be fabricated will be candidates for catalysts, sensor arrays and electronic devices.Read moreRead less
Structure of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers at Ionic Liquid-Air Interfaces. The research conducted in the project will greatly enhance our understanding of the physical properties of ionic liquids, an important new class of designer solvents. Australian researchers will receive advanced training and experience using Sum Frequency Spectroscopy in the laboratory of OI Rutland, and in the use of Neutron Reflection. This project is especially timely with the imminent start-up of the new Australian resea ....Structure of Adsorbed Surfactant Layers at Ionic Liquid-Air Interfaces. The research conducted in the project will greatly enhance our understanding of the physical properties of ionic liquids, an important new class of designer solvents. Australian researchers will receive advanced training and experience using Sum Frequency Spectroscopy in the laboratory of OI Rutland, and in the use of Neutron Reflection. This project is especially timely with the imminent start-up of the new Australian research reactor, OPAL, and will help to seed an active program by Australian researchers at this facility.Read moreRead less
Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of f ....Development of stable, patterned Self-Assembled Monolayers on carbon for sensors and other nanotechnology applications. Nanotechnology - science at the scale of a billionth of a metre - rests on our ability to manipulate molecules and to build structures that will be part of useful devices. We shall develop new methods to put that chemistry on carbon surfaces - leading to very stable and cheap devices that will have 'real world' applications in environmental monitoring. A 'bottom up' method of fabrication exploits the ability of similar molecules to line up on a suitable surface, so-called 'self Assembly'. The project is based on sound fundamental science for an applied research outcome and therefore will enhance Australian's standing as a strong scientific country that applies its knowledge at the forefront of technological advancement.Read moreRead less
Improving explosive emulsions by understanding surfactant interactions. This project will design new surfactants that will lead to more cost effective, stable and reliable explosive emulsions. The pressure required to force dispersed phase droplets to coalesce will be measured both directly and by osmotic stress. These parameters have not previously been measured for an inverse emulsion system. The measurements made will be correlated to the structure of the stabilising surfactant enabling new a ....Improving explosive emulsions by understanding surfactant interactions. This project will design new surfactants that will lead to more cost effective, stable and reliable explosive emulsions. The pressure required to force dispersed phase droplets to coalesce will be measured both directly and by osmotic stress. These parameters have not previously been measured for an inverse emulsion system. The measurements made will be correlated to the structure of the stabilising surfactant enabling new and more effective surfactants to be designed.Read moreRead less
Sustainable surfactants from Australian oilseeds. This project aims to develop a new generation of sustainable surfactants utilising Australian-grown oilseed feedstocks. These molecules are designed to replace current materials made from petroleum and palm oil, to fulfil a key role as the next generation of bio-resourced detergents and emulsifiers. The work seek to develop a library of new molecules to better understand the relationship between molecular structure and performance, through cuttin ....Sustainable surfactants from Australian oilseeds. This project aims to develop a new generation of sustainable surfactants utilising Australian-grown oilseed feedstocks. These molecules are designed to replace current materials made from petroleum and palm oil, to fulfil a key role as the next generation of bio-resourced detergents and emulsifiers. The work seek to develop a library of new molecules to better understand the relationship between molecular structure and performance, through cutting edge lab testing and utilising national infrastructure, guiding the use of new components in formulating new products. It is anticipated that the surfactants generated will find uses in household cleaning and personal care products, providing high value chemicals from key Australian crops.Read moreRead less