Into a New Plane - Three-Dimensionally Delocalised Nano-Graphenes
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Graphene is a cornerstone material in nanotechnology with its isolation in 2004 leading to the Nobel Prize in Physics for Geim and Novoselov in 2010. Graphene consists of a one-atom thick sheet of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms which share electrons to create a fully electronically delocalised surface. Nanographenes, and related graphene nanoribbons, are fragments of graphene which can be produced through controlled chemical synthesis. This has useful consequences such as reproducible synthesis and the ability to dictate the edge-structure structure of graphene. Controlling the edge-structure of these materials is key to their utility in applications including topological insulators, organic solar cells and hydrogen storage.
This project will establish a new dimension in graphene, literally. It will yield unique 3D nanographenes with controlled edge-structure which are synthesised using robust "bottom-up" synthetic pathways. This will allow for synthesis on a larger scale and improved solubility compared to existing planar nanographenes and graphene nanoribbons. Through pi-extension or self-assembly methods these new molecular materials will be transformed into hierarchical nanostructures to produce fully three-dimensionally delocalised supramolecular and macromolecular constructs. The optoelectronic properties of these new nanographenes, and assemblies thereof, will be quantified using advanced photophysical and electrochemical tools complemented by charge transport measurements and computational insights. Benchmarking these functional properties against existing 2D nanographenes, and graphene nanoplatelets themselves, will establish a new chemical space in nanotechnology and produce unprecedented novel molecular materials.
This project will establish a new dimension in graphene, literally. It will yield unique 3D nanographenes with controlled edge-structure which are synthesised using robust "bottom-up" synthetic pathways. This will allow for synthesis on a larger scale and improved solubility compared to existing planar nanographenes and graphene nanoribbons. Through pi-extension or self-assembly methods these new molecular materials will be transformed into hierarchical nanostructures to produce fully three-dimensionally delocalised supramolecular and macromolecular constructs. The optoelectronic properties of these new nanographenes, and assemblies thereof, will be quantified using advanced photophysical and electrochemical tools complemented by charge transport measurements and computational insights. Benchmarking these functional properties against existing 2D nanographenes, and graphene nanoplatelets themselves, will establish a new chemical space in nanotechnology and produce unprecedented novel molecular materials.
Organisations
Publications
Mistry J
(2023)
Homoconjugation effects in triptycene based organic optoelectronic materials
in Materials Advances
Description | We have synthesised new molecules which are precursors to 3D nanographenes and also chiral graphenes and molecular conductors. These new molecules are presently being studied for applications in quantum technologies and energy conversion, the results for these studies are pending. The synthetic work is currently being continued by a PhD student. |
Exploitation Route | This is challenging to say at this time. Quantum technologies, smart coatings and chiral conductance seem likely. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Electronics,Energy |
Description | Extremophile Molecular OFET Materials - High Thermal Stability through Intermolecular Interactions |
Amount | £100,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | R1000168364 |
Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2022 |
End | 10/2025 |
Description | Loughborough University PhD Studentship |
Amount | £62,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Loughborough University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2022 |
End | 10/2025 |
Description | DSTL Round Table Elevator Pitch |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Expanded on aspects of our findings as an elevator pitch type presentation of group capabilities to highlight possible applications in aerospace to both industrial and defence sector representatives. This led to follow on communication with Airbus. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |