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Real Time 2D Polymerization studied using Atomic Force Microscopy

Project description

High-speed atomic force microscopy reveals dynamic polymerisation in real time

Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D-COFs) are crystalline porous polymers that are garnering widespread interest for applications in gas storage, sensing and catalysis. However, the complicated molecular processes underlying their nucleation and growth on surfaces is poorly understood. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the RAPID-AFM project aims to leverage high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to investigate the dynamic covalent chemical reactions underlying polymerisation processes of 2D-COFs in real time down to the level of single-molecule dynamics. This will be complemented using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy. Insight will lead to fabrication of large domains of defect-free polymer films on various surfaces.

Objective

Two-dimensional polymers are a crucial category of low-dimensional materials that have garnered significant attention from both academia and industry. Despite the synthesis of various types of 2D-COFs reported in the literature, there remains a significant gap in our fundamental understanding of their nucleation and growth mechanism on the surfaces. High-Speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) offers the potential to observe molecular processes in real-time, providing valuable insights into single-molecule dynamics. This project aims to develop scientific and technical methodologies for investigating 2D polymerization processes using HS-AFM on solid surfaces. I target the acquisition of qualitative as well as quantitative data in relation to the nucleation, growth and ripening phenomena transpiring during 2D polymerization. This research will shed light on numerous unknown aspects of dynamic covalent chemical reactions occurring on solid surfaces, which often differ substantially from those in solution or bulk. Complementary techniques such as XPS and AFM-IR will be employed to chemically characterize the material. This comprehensive approach will enhance our understanding of surface-based 2D COF design. The quantitative insight obtained into the 2D polymerization processes will be used to fabricate large domains of defect-free polymer films on various surfaces such as SLG-Si/SiO2, h-BN and mica. The high quality polymer films formed on dielectric substrates would pave way for the direct characterization of their electrical properties such as charge carrier mobility.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01

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Coordinator

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 191 760,00
Address
OUDE MARKT 13
3000 Leuven
Belgium

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Region
Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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