A Molecular Approach to Nanoparticles: Using the Molecular-Interface to Influence Growth, Enhance Electrochemical Behavior and Drive Biocompatibility
Loading...
Date
2020-02-27
Authors
Kellon, Jaclyn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Nanoparticles have garnered much interest over the past 30 years due to their unique size-dependent properties. The majority of research initially focused on developing synthetic methods to produce uniform materials with a wide range of core compositions, sizes and morphologies. The second generation of nanoparticle research has focused on modifying and improving upon existing synthetic methods to access more complex nanoparticle compositions and morphologies. In addition, chemists have begun exploring methods of introducing functionality into the ligand shell and modifying the surface chemistry of nanoparticle cores to access or enhance desired properties. This dissertation focuses on this newer class of nanoparticles, specifically looking at the influence of the ligand shell as a molecular-interface between the nanoparticle core and its surroundings.
Three distinct areas of research are explored throughout this dissertation: 1) using the ligand shell to enhance electrochemical behavior, 2) understanding how coordinating molecules influence nanoparticle growth and 3) investigating the influence of a molecular coating on nanoparticle toxicity. The first two studies presented here explore how the molecular-interface can be employed to attach nanoparticles to conductive substrates. Methods of fabricating nanoparticle-functionalized electrodes with a defined molecular interface are introduced in the first study while the second study demonstrates the enhanced electrochemical behavior achievable in these systems. The role of coordinating molecules and air in the formation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles are explored in the third study. Lastly, the fourth is a systematic study to determine which structural features of metal oxide nanoparticles drive nanoparticle toxicity. The structure-property relationships described in this dissertation can be used for the smart design of safer new materials.
Description
Keywords
Electrochemistry, Nanomaterials, Synthesis, Toxicity