Synthesis of chemosensors for monitoring of free radicals in the environment

Overview

Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.

Project Summary

This project aims to develop highly sensitive chemosensors for reactive radical species, which are key intermediates in the cause of a range of adverse health and environmental effects. This would be achieved by producing polymeric analogues of profluorescent nitroxides, molecules which have been shown to be potent radical traps and also have a built in, “turn-on” fluorescence indicator. It is envisaged that once the polymeric systems have been synthesized they would be able to be processed to form free standing, porous films or fibre pads through techniques such as solvent casting or electro-spinning. By moving from small molecules to polymeric materials will increase the robustness of the sensor system while the ability to use various methodologies for processing will allow for versatility in the architecture of  materials produced, extremely important when considering the environment in which the sensors will be applied. The monomeric units will be designed in a modular fashion, with the simple interchange of nitroxides and fluorophore moieties allowing for tuning of photophysical (excitation, emission, sensitivity, etc.) and chemical (redox potential, radical trapping ability, adduct stability, etc.) properties of the end polymeric materials.

Expected outcomes, applications and/or benefits

To design, synthesise and evaluate a range of profluorescent nitroxide functional polymer materials as sensors for radical formation in water and atmospheric sources.

The key approaches of this project will include:

  • The synthesis of a number of profluorescent nitroxide analogues incorporating polymerizable side-groups. These will be from a number of different monomer classes.
  • Polymerization and copolymerization of the profluorescent nitroxide monomers to give a library of profluorescent nitroxide polymeric materials.
  • Studies into producing free-standing filters from these materials. Assessment of these filters for analyzing air/water samples for the presence of radical species.

Required student skills/experience

Students require an undergraduate GPA of 5.5 or better and should have a minimum of chemistry as a minor within their degree. Interests in polymer or synthetic organic chemistry would be preferable.

Study level
Vacation research experience scholarship
Supervisors
QUT
Organisational unit

Science and Engineering Faculty

Research area

Chemistry

Keywords
chemosensors, radical
Contact
Contact the supervisor for more information