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Nanostructural Engineering of Complex
Functional Particles
An NSF Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) Project
NSF Grant: EE C-0210835
Project Overview
This goal of this project is to develop synthetic methods and fundamental
understanding needed to produce “nanoengineered” particles
that could provide unprecedented “intelligent” functionality
for a variety of applications. The particle synthesis exploits the
self-assembly of soap-like molecules (surfactants) that can occur
during evaporation of droplets to introduce intricate and highly
controlled porosity and radially graded structure into silica particles
(See graphic).
This process can provide a great deal of control over nature of
porosity and particle structure by the choice of surfactant, synthesis
conditions, or the addition of agents that can provide functionality
to the pores. In addition, functional modifications can be made
to the particles after synthesis. For example, lipid bilayers are
being coated on the outside of mesoporous particles. These bilayers
can be functionalized with specific molecular recognition sites
or trans-membrane proteins. We are also exploring approaches to
attach environmentally (pH, temperature) sensitive molecules to
pore walls to effectively act as smart valves between the external
environment and the particle interior. It is envisioned that cavities
positioned within particle interiors could provide a reservoir for
sensing or therapeutic agents whose action or delivery is coupled
to molecular recognition functionality at the particle surface and
is mediated by controlled transport through nanoporous channels.
Such “smart” particles could be used to screen interactions
of drugs with membrane proteins or to provide controlled delivery
of a therapeutic agent based on an external trigger. Similar complex
functionality can be envisioned for other catalyst, sensor, optical
or magnetic applications. The synthetic strategies will be guided
by experimental and computational research devoted to understanding
the fundamental issues related to amphiphilic molecule behavior
and assembly in evaporating droplets. To accomplish these objectives,
a research team has been assembled providing scientific expertise
in aerosol science (Ward),
self-assembly, inorganic materials and sol-gel science (Brinker),
catalysis and electron microscopy (Datye),
surface engineering and biomedical materials (Lopez),
and molecular modeling and computation (Van
Swol).
Click here to see examples of nanoengineered
particles that have been produced
Publications
- Control of Molecular Transport Through Stimuli Responsive Ordered
Mesoporous Materials," Fu, Q.; Rama Rao, G.V.; Ista, L.K.;
Wu, Y.; Andrzejewski, B.; Sklar, L.A.; Ward, T.L.; Lopez, G.P.
Advanced Materials (in press).
- "Biomimetic Molecular Assemblies on Glass and Mesoporous
Microbeads forBiotechnology," Buranda, T.; Huang, J.; Ramarao,
G.V.; Ista, L.K.; Larson, R.S.; Ward, T.L.; Sklar, L.A.; Lopez,
G.P. Langmuir 2003, 19, 1654-1663.
- "Monodisperse Mesoporous Silica Microspheres Formed by
Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly of Surfactant Templates in Aerosols,"
Rama Rao, G.V.; Lopez, G.P.; Bravo, J.; Pham, H.; Datye, A.K.;
Xu, H.; Ward, T.L. Adv. Mater.2002, 14, 1301-1304.
- "Monodisperse Mesoporous Microparticles Prepared by Evaporation-Induced
Self-Assembly Within Aerosols," Rathod, S.; Rama Rao, G.V.;
Andrzejewski, B.; Lopez, G.P.; Ward, T.L.; Brinker, C.J.; Datye,
A.K. MRS Proc., 2003 (in press).
- "Synthesis of Smart Mesoporous Materials," Fu, Q.;
Rama Rao, G.V.; Ista, L.K.; Xu, H.; Sklar, L.A.; Ward, T.L.; Lopez,
G.P. MRS Proc., 2003 (in press).
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