Chemistry 2.0: Grignard surface modification unraveled

Hybrid organic inorganic metal oxides combine the structural and physicochemical properties of inorganic materials with the versatility and specificity of organic molecules, creating exciting materials for a wide variety of applications in e.g. separation technology, catalysis, electronics and sensing. UAntwerp and VITO invented and patented a Grignard-based surface modification method anchoring the organic group directly to the metal oxide surface, which creates a unique synergic interaction between the metal oxide and the functional organic group, pioneering a new class of materials. While the applicability of this new method was well demonstrated in membrane filtration, the exact mechanism is still lacking. To allow broader and more specific steering of the materials properties this project is therefore aimed directly at 1) elucidating the mechanism of the surface modification; and 2) identifying the role of the metal oxide support. In this project, we will use a combination of beyond-state-of-the-art computational techniques, experimental surface modification and advanced characterization to meet these goals.

Keywords:MATERIALS CHEMISTRY, ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING, SIMULATIONS, SURFACE MODIFICATIONS

Disciplines:Surface and interface chemistry, Quantum chemistry, Nanoscale characterisation, Functionalisation of materials