Molecularly-directed hybrid nanobuilding block self-assembly towards original 2D and 3D mesoscale architectures for catalysis – MODULE-CAT

This project describes a modular approach to novel 2D and 3D functional structures based on metal-substituted silesquioxanes and lamellar self-assembled silica structures. For 3D structures, we aim at assembling POSS into covalent ordered networks bearing adsorption sites for metal cations. For 2D structures, we ambition to functionalize the inter-lamellar space of layered silica structures with electron-rich reactive pillars.
Both 2D and 3D proposed structured are unprecedented in the world of supramolecular hybrid materials as they take advantages of both the inorganic building block (POSS or layered silica) and the organic linkers (original organosilane) to contribute to the material complexity and function. These structured materials will be further functionalized by selective grafting of metal cations and/or small molecules. Confinement effect of the hybrid structure on the host-guest interaction will be studied. It will pave the way towards technology-relevant properties such as selective adsorption devices (membranes, catalysis, etc.) and tunable hybrid electronics (inorganic-organic heterojunctions, flexible electronics).
In an interdisciplinary context, this project will capitalize on the complementary expertise of Japanese and French teams to allow for the emergence of a novel class of ordered hybrid functional nanomaterials designed at the molecular level and particularly focused on catalysis applications.