Topic：Chemical Nanotechnologies: From Molecules to Functional Nanostructures for Energy and Health Applications

Speaker：Prof. Dr. Sanjay Mathur
           Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cologne, Germany

Abstract:

Chemical nanotechnologies have played, in the past few decades a major role in the convergence of life, physical and engineering sciences leading not only to simple collaboration among the disciplines but to a paradigm shift based on true disciplinary integration. The successful synthesis, modification and assembly of nanobuilding units such as nanocrystals and wires of different materials have demonstrated the importance of chemical influence in materials synthesis, and have generated great expectations for the future. Implications of chemistry as an innovation motor are now visible for knowledge leap forward in various sectors such as materials engineering for energy, health and security.

Inorganic nanostructures inherit promises for substantial improvements in materials engineering mainly due to improved physical and mechanical properties resulting from the reduction of microstructural features by two to three orders of magnitude, when compared to current engineering materials. This talk will present how chemically grown nanoparticles, nanowires and nanocomposites of different metal oxides open up new vistas of material properties, which can be transformed into advanced material technologies. The examples will include application of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and drug delivery applications, vapour phase synthesis and electrospinning of nanowires for application as electrode materials and in water splitting reactions (for solar hydrogen production). Finally, the current challenges of integration of nanomaterials in existing device concepts will be discussed.