Groupe de Chimie des nanomatériaux (Research Center for Nanomaterials Chemistry)

Design, Modelling, Fundamentals and Applications of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology

• Axe 1. Synthesis, structure determination and theoretical simulation of new porous systems and molecular sieves.

Figure 1. An open-framework germanate with 26-ring channels synthesized by incorporating silicon into Ge₁₀ clusters

Representative Publications

1) Y. Wei, Z. M. Liu, B. L. Su, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 90 (1-3) (2006) 188-197

2) B. L. Su, M. Roussel, K. Vause, X. Y. Yang, F. Gilles, L. Shi, E. Leonova, E. Eden, X. Zou, Mircoporous and Mesoporous Materials, 105, 49-57, 2007

3) K. E. Christensen, C. Bonneau, M. Gustafsson, L. Shi, J. Sun, J. Grins, I. Sbille, B. L. Su and X. Z. Zou, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008

• Axe 2. Theoretical and experimental study on Molecular recognition effect in porous systems and molecular sieves.

Figure 2. Molecular confinement in an EMT zeolite framework

 

 

Representative Publications

1) Fanny Docquir, H. Toufar, J.L. Paillaud and B. L. Su, Langmuir, 18 (2002), 5963-5966

2) F. Docquir, V. Norberg and B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett. (2004) 387, 188-192

3) F. Gilles, J.-L. Blin_, C. Mellot-Draznieks, A.K. Cheetham and B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett. (2004) 390, 236

4) T. Beutel and B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett., 416, 2005, 51-55

 

• Axe 3. Conception and understanding at molecular and atomic level of hierarchically inorganic porous structures and nanostructures (nanotubes, nanowires, quantum dots, nanoplates,…) and application as catalysts, catalyst supports, adsorbents and drying agents in the petroleum processing, petrochemicals, chemicals, in hydrocarbons and gas separation processes and environmental protection. For example:

A)        Synthesis of new mesoporous materials

Representative Publications:
1) J. L. Blin, A. Léonard and B. L. Su, Chem. Mater., 13, (2001), 3542-3553

2) Z. Y. Yuan, J. L. Blin and B. L. Su, Chem. Commun., (2002), 5, 504-505

3) J. L. Blin and B. L. Su, Langmuir, 18, (2002) 5303-5308

4) A. Léonard, J.L. Blin, M. Robert, P. A. Jacobs, A. K. Cheetham and B.-L. Su, Langmuir, 19, (2003) 5484

5) A. Leonard, J-L Blin, P. A. Jacobs, P. Grange and B. L. Su, Microporous Mesoporous Mater., 63, (2003) 59

6) X. Y. Yang, A. Vantomme, A. Lemaire, F. S. Xiao, B.L. Su, Adv. Mater. 2006, 18, 2117-2122

B) Development of new concepts “One-Pot Reactor” and “Hierarchical Chemistry and Catalysis”.

Figure 3. Catalytically Stable and Active Nanoreactor Formed by in-situ Encapsulation of Size-controlled Nanoparticles Inside of a Novel Macroporous Core@Mesoporous Shell Structure. The size controlled nanoparticles have been successfully encapsulated in a novel macroporous core@mesoporous shell structure where the enzymes and metal oxide nanoparticules are entrapped in macroporous cores that are connected by uniform mesoporous channels. 

Most importantly, the encapsulated nanoparticles as “Nanoreactors” show not only high activities, but also excellent long term recycling stability.

Figure 4. Hierarchically Mesoporous-Macroporous Metal Oxides. A self-formation phenomenon to create the mesostructured porous hierarchy in multiple-lengths has been discovered. The macrochanneled structures with openings ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 microns with mesoporous walls with various compositions (aluminosilicates, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophosphates, metallophosphates and single and binary metal oxides such as ZrO₂, TiO₂, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃, ZrO₂-SiO₂, ZrO₂-TiO₂, ZrO₂-Y₂O₃,…) can be prepared on the basis of the chemistry of alkoxides. In addition, hierarchical porous sieves with different pore sizes integrated in one body and acido-basic, redox and metallic functionality can be expected to combine reduced resistance to diffusion and high surface areas for yielding improved overall catalytic reaction and adsorption/separation performances.

Representative Publications

1) Yuan ZY, Six-Boulanger MF, Su BL, Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. 42, 1572, 2003

2) Z.Y. Yuan, A. Vantomme, A. Léonard and B.-L. Su, Chem. Commun., (2003), 1558

3) J. L. Blin, A. Léonard, Z.Y. Yuan, L. Gigot, A. Vantomme, A. K. Cheetham and B. L. Su, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2003, 42, 2872

4) Z. Y. Yuan, T. Z. Ren and B. L. Su, Adv. Mat. 15, (2003) 1462

5) A. Leonard, J-L Blin and B. L. Su , Chem. Commun. (2003) 2568

6) T. Z. Ren, Z. Y. Yuan, B. L. Su, Langmuir, (2004) 20, 1531

7) A. Léonard and B. L. Su, Chem. Commun., 2004, 1674

8) Z. Y. Yuan and B. L. Su, J. Mater. Chem., 16 (2006) 663

9) Z. Y. Yuan, T. Z. Ren, A. Azioune, J. J. Pireaux and B. L. Su, Chem. Mater., 2006, 18, 1753

10) T. Z. Ren, Z. Y. Yuan, A. Azioune; J. J. Pireaux, and B. L. Su, Langmuir, 2006, 22, 3886

11) B. L. Su, A. Vantomme, L. Surahy, R. Pirard and J. P. Pirard, Chem. Mater. 19, 2007, 3325

12) F. Xu, P. Zhang, A. Navrotsky, Z. Y. Yuan, T. Z. Ren, M. Halasa, B. L. Su, Chem. Mater., 19, 5680, 2007

Figure 5. The multiple steps reaction can be realized in one reactor without any separation process with a single multiporous and multifunctional material where a series of reactions can be successively realized in a cascade manner, i.e. the product of one reaction can be the reagent of next reaction without separation and purification processes.

Representative Publications

1) Y. Wei, D. Zhang, Z. Liu and B. L. Su, J. Catal., 238 (2006) 46-57

2) A. Vantomme, Z. Y. Yuan, A. Léonard and B. L. Su, Colloids and Surf. A, 300, (2007), 70-78

B) Development of highly efficient self-cleaning surfaces by photocatalytic action and superhydrophobic action

Figure 6. Self-cleaning glasses (left) compared with the ordinary glasses

Figure 7. A stable Lotus like water repellent copper designed by the modification of copper surface

Figure 8. Electrowetting from superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic surfaces

Representative Publication

1) Z. G. Guo, W. M. Liu, B. L. Su, Appl. Phys. Lett., 2008-01-25

C) Synthesis of Nanostructures (Nanotubes, Nanowires, Nanoarrays, Nanoplates, Quantum dots, ….)

Figure 9. Different nanostructures of ZnO

Figure 10. Nanotubes of TiO₂ (left) and Nanoflowers of Vanadium oxides (right)

Representative Publications

1) Z. Y. Yuan, J. F. Colomer and B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett., 363, (2002), 362

2) Z. Y. Yuan and B. L. Su, Colloids and Surfaces A (2004) 241 173

3) Z. Y. Yuan, X. Zhang and B. L. Su, Appl. Phys. A., (2004) 78, 1063

4) Z. Y. Yuan and B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett., (2004) 389, 83-86

5) Z. Y. Yuan, Z. Zhang, G. Duand, T. Z. Ren and B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett., 378, (2003) 349

6) Z. Y. Yuan and B. L. Su, Chem. Comm., (2002), 1202

7) Z. Y. Yuan, T. Z. Ren and B. L. Su, Appl. Phys. A., (2005), 80(4), 743

8) A. Vantomme, Z. Y. Yuan, G. H. Du, B. L. Su, Langmuir, (2005) 21, 1132

D) Development of highly efficient energy conversion system (conversion of sun energy to chemical energy), Biomimicking photosynthesis processes and Development of the enzymatic catalysis,

Figure 11. “Do as Nature, Work as Nature and Produce as Nature”. An “artificial leaf” to target a novel photosynthetic reaction center, by entrapping within a silica network active thylakoids; the part of a chloroplast, chloroplast, plant cells and cyanobacteria that harnesses solar energy and converts water and carbon dioxide into oses and oxygen is designed. These fragile ultra structures are not stable in an isolated state but are of interest owing to their efficient photosynthetic properties. The success of this work can generate an ideal scenario solving all our problems in one go. A important lesson can be drawn that in future mankind has to “do as nature”, to “work as nature” and to “produce as nature” to ensure the further development of the humanity.

4) New orientations are to use these novel materials as matrix for the encapsulation of the organometallics, oxide and metallic nanoparticles and biological molecules and organisms, for the design of new catalysts, new drugs, energy storage agents and for the development of the optical, electronic, Random laser and thermosensetive materials and nanobiosensors.

A)    Conception of opto-electronic nanocomposites

Figure 12. Random lasing under two-photon excitation effect of ZnO-mesoporous silica nanocomposites.

Representative Publications

C. Bouvy, W. Marine, R. Sporken, B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett., 2006, 428/4-6 pp. 312-316

C. Bouvy, F. Piret, W. Marine and B.L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett., 433 (2007) 350-354

C. Bouvy, W. Marine, B. L. Su, Chem. Phys. Lett. 438 (2007), 67-71

C. Bouvy, R. Zhao W. Marine, B. L. Su, Nanotechnology, 2008

B)        Conception of highly selective and sensitive nanosensors for heavy metal ions dosing by immobilization of fluoroionophores

Figure 13. Design and properties of sensitive and selective nanosensor for iron ions dosing: Immobilization of fluoro-siderophore (FI-DFO, left and right molecules in the channels of mesoporous silica materials

Figure 14. Macrocyclic calix[4]arene Derivative Functionalized SBA-15 Mesoporous Materials with High Selectivity for Heavy Transition Metal Ions

C)    Drug deliverance systems

D)    Conception of photonic crystals