Descrizione del progetto
Nanopunti di carbonio derivati da piccole molecole per applicazioni impegnative
I nanopunti di carbonio sono nanoparticelle sferiche che consistono di un nucleo definito e di un guscio funzionale esterno che può essere razionalmente progettato da approcci chimici specifici. Gli scienziati del progetto e-DOTS, finanziato dall’UE, desiderano far avanzare ulteriormente il processo di progettazione e produzione di nanopunti di carbonio al fine di ampliare le loro applicazioni. A questo scopo, essi chiariranno il meccanismo alla base della conversione di piccole molecole in nanoparticelle e progetteranno nanopunti di carbonio con proprietà uniche. Queste nanoparticelle ingegnerizzate troveranno applicazione nelle sfide tecnologiche e biologiche come il bioimaging di alta qualità e la catalisi dell’acqua.
Obiettivo
e-DOTS takes advantage of nanoscale and process-intensification principles, information technology and automation/robotics to translate molecular properties to nanoparticles for use in technologically advanced challenges, ranging from high-quality bioimaging to green catalysis in water.
A stringent molecular control over the synthesis and multivalent properties of “carbon nanodots”, 2-5 nm spherical nanoparticles, will allow us to shape a nanofabrication space with engineered functions. The core-shell structure of carbon nanodots, consisting of a confined core and an outer functional shell can be rationally designed by controlled chemical approaches and by a tailored choice of the proper starting materials.
e-DOTS scientific objectives are planned to go beyond the state of the art, with the aim to:
(i) elucidate the mechanism and the structural details in the conversion of small molecules to nanoparticles;
(ii) expand the carbon nanodots preparation process window and allow its automated exploration, directed at ambitious targets;
(iii) design and prepare carbon nanodots with tailored properties – in terms of size, charge, luminescence, chirality, and outer-shell functions – outperforming current technologies in green catalysis and biomedical imaging.
(iv) investigate and ensure the safety profile of carbon nanodots in a safe-by-design approach.
e-DOTS is a highly interdisciplinary project, based on frontier methods that the Prato group has successfully designed for the molecular modification of very diverse carbon nanostructures. Delving into fundamental aspects of carbon nanodots will allow to unfold their full potential in technological and biological applications.
e-DOTS will thus offer unprecedented opportunities to the scientific community, since the specific molecular properties of the reactants can be transferred, combined and enhanced up to the nanoscale, yielding carbon nanodots tailored to function.
Campo scientifico
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantIstituzione ospitante
20009 San Sebastian
Spagna