PROJECT ABSTRACT

Development of a laboratory for the synthesis, analysis, and testing of carbon nanostructures, functionalized and composites is based on previous investigations in the field of nanostructures, focussed on the following domains:

  • synhesis of fullerene, synhesis of nanotubes and junctions
  • synhesis of spongy-carbon, synhesis of nanodiamond
  • synhesis of nano-composites with magnetic behaviour.

It is proposed:

  • achievement of a complex study on the improvement of logistics needed for the synhesis and analysis of nanostructures
  • development of the existing infrastructure for the synhesis and analysis of nanostructures
  • improvement of the research capability and scientific/technological service in the domain of nanostructures.

The aim of the present project is to develope an adequate infrastructure for the synthesis of nanostructures, with possible practical applications.

One intents the synthesis of bowl-shaped precursors, which annealing, under laser beam, would produce fullerenes with desired tessellation. Such precursors have already been synthesized and tried for “artificial” synthesis of fullerenes, by wet chemistry (University of Osaka, Prof. Hirashi). For some of such fullerenes, supermagnetic properties have been recently predicted. The structures proposed by the TOPO GROUP Cluj, have been published by international editures.

Synthesis of single walled and double walled carbon nano-tubes, is interesting in the perspective of synthesis/production of nano-junctions, useful in nano-electronic devices. Another field is that of nano-toroids, for which series of computational data have been developed in Cluj.

Nano-cones and nano-disks represent both precursors for toroids and molecular transportors of drugs, genes, therapy of cancer, etc. Spongy-carbon is a new allotrope of carbon, recently synthesized, for which we have already coordinates. Among possible applications, absorption of hydrogen, for automobile propulsion, isolators, precursors of nano-diamonds.

Nano-composites can be seen as applications of carbon nano-structures or as functionalized derivatives (endo- and exo – hedrals). Properties of nano-structures are strongly influenced by functionalization, both by dopping with metals, nonmetals, gases or functionalized with atom groups, in view of modifying the solubility/ dispersion in liquids.

It looks forwards to test the mechanical, optical, electric and magnetic properties of nanostructures, of all three dimensions.

Degree of novelty of the project is given by:
  • Development of a complex laboratory for the synthesis, analyze and testing carbon nanostructures, functionalized nanostructures and composites
  • Development of methods to synthesize carbon nanostructures (fullerenes, nanotubes) and functionalized structures
  • Development of software programs for investigation of physico-chemical and biological properties of nanostructures
  • Investigation of nanomaterials for various prioritary domains: industry, medicine, medium, etc.
  • Using adequate analytical methods for kinetics and conversion rates.