NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Grant: $200,000 - National Science Foundation - Sep. 4, 2009
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Award Description: This proposal will concentrate on the synthesis and characterization of new ligands for complexation of lanthanide ions and sensitization of their luminescence. The application of these materials is based on their emission wavelength. Those emitting in the visible region will be explored for use in new light-emitting diodes. If certain other lanthanides are coordinated to the ligand, then their emission profile exists in the near-infrared, with feasible applications in telecommunications and biomedical imaging. A 'base ligand will be synthesized, pyridine-bis(thiazoline) (pybSox) and modifications made to functionalize the ligand will be studied regarding the effects on the photophysical properties of the related lanthanide complexes. The goal of the functionalization is to manipulate the energy of the excited state of the ligand in order to most efficiently transfer energy to the coordinated lanthanide ion. These complexes will be investigated in detail in order to determine their viability for real-world application. Further modification of these ligands will allow them to act as surfactants in the synthesis of nanocrystal quantum dots (NQD) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). An additional advantage to using these ligands is that they have a multi-functional purpose. They will coordinate to the NQD through the modified position, but also coordinate to a lanthanide ion in the same manner that they do in the unmodified ligands mentioned above. These modifications and coupling to NQDs will create very interesting optical systems to study in detail at LANL. Broadening participation in chemistry amongst groups of various backgrounds is important to the future of America’s competitive edge in science. As such, it is essential to utilize tools popular amongst today’s youth to instill a sense of excitement about chemistry with the hope of generating future generations of chemists. This will be done through the internet, where a video marketing campaign will be produced by local middle school students under the direction of the Journalism Department of the University of Nevada, Reno. As such, it will bring chemistry to a level that is easily accessible to its target audience and can be used in the classroom, as well as being professionally marketed to the national media.
Project Description: This project began 9/1/2009, near the end of the reporting cycle. As such, there is little progress to report in that the logistics of starting the project are being organized. Thus far, we have successfully synthesized the base ligand (pybsox). We have confirmed that the theoretical triplet state reported in the proposal nicely matches the experimental, and the ligand is successful in sensitizing Eu(III) emission with moderate quantum yields. Additionally, we have obtained in house spectra of pybsox complexes with Er(III), Yb(III), and Nd(III) showing that it is successful in sensitizing lanthanide NIR emission as well. The collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory is still in the planning stages. The outreach component is off to an excellent start with the PI meeting with the students from the advanced PR class soon to discuss the campaign for chemistry as a career. These students have already been in class for five weeks and have been compiling research to formulate the campaign
Jobs Summary: Postdoctoral Scholar - This is Daniel de Lill, the PI. 75% of the grant is budgeted for my stipend and fringe benefits. I am the only person working under this grant, that is, once the money actually becomes available to me through UNR. As of now and for the forseeable future, I am still not being paid under this grant. (Total jobs reported: 1)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Sep. 4, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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