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Exploratory Synthesis of Novel Cluster-Based Nanomaterials


EMSL Project ID
18596

Abstract

When materials are reduced in size to the nanometer scale, their physical and chemical properties undergo major changes and become size-dependent, forming the foundation of nanoscience and nanotechnology. This proposal involves a bottom-up approach to discover novel nanomaterials.

We are engaged in the investigation of the size-dependent properties of nanoclusters using photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. One of the goals of this research is to discover clusters with unusual stability, which may be used as building blocks to assemble new cluster-based nanomaterials. We have found a number of stable clusters, such as the tetrahedral Au20 clusters, planar boron clusters, etc. We propose to carry out exploratory syntheses of these clusters in the bulk, either in solution or in the solid state. We have already demonstrated that the tetrahedral Au20 can be formed in solution. In the proposed work, we plan to tune synthetic conditions to increase its yield. Our goal is to produce large quantities of pure Au20 samples, so they can be characterized in bulk form.

We are also interested in solid state syntheses of new cluster-based compounds. We have found many stable clusters involving both main group and transition metals. Some these clusters may be accessible in the solid form, giving rise to new classes of cluster-assembled materials, analogous to the fullerenes.

Project Details

Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2006-05-15
End Date
2006-11-07
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Massimo Bertino
Institution
University of Missouri - Rolla

Team Members

Zhong-ming Sun
Institution
Washington State University Tri-Cities

Lai-Sheng Wang
Institution
Brown University

Timothy Hubler
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory