Orthogonal supra-molecular interaction motifs for functional monolayer architectures.
Promotion date: 9. June 2011
Promotor: Prof.dr.ir Jurriaan Huskens
| This thesis focuses on the combination of orthogonal supramolecular interactions for functional monolayer architectures on surfaces, promising new materials properties. Hybrid multifunctional multilayers enable the control over the monolayer composition and functionality. Orthogonal host-guest and lanthanide-ligand coordination interaction motifs, have been employed to create supramolecular luminescent monolayers. The second part of the thesis deals with the fabrication of functional monolayers on silicon and gold substrates for applications in electronics. |
What was the main angle of incidence in your research at the Molecular Nanofabrication group?
My approach was a combination of top-down (nano-imprint lithography and microcontact printing) and bottom-up (self-assembly) techniques, to introduce functional materials on different substrates such as gold, silicon and glass, which provide patterned platforms that can be used, for example, in sensing applications.
The thesis project was a mixture of supramolecular chemistry and nanofabrication, applying new nano-electronic approaches. Starting from a theoretical background, I gradually came to design the right experiments, coming to proofs of concept and characterizing the processes.
Did you have some nice publications?
Two papers were recently published in Angewandte Chemie, International Edition. Also three more papers appeared in: Journal of the American Chemical Society, Langmuir and Advanced Materials.
How would you describe your personal development as a scientist in these four years?
In Turkey my master project was both theoretical and experimental from an organic background. I added important skills, for example by gaining knowledge at courses for nanofabrication techniques, learning a lot from the Mesa+ and Molecular nanofabrication group meetings.
What are your future plans?
I like to work on an academic career, as I am very curious by nature. Right now, I am applying for a post-doc position, for example in the USA or the UK. There I can develop myself even further. Hopefully, I will get some nice results. In future, being the leader of a research group is a big dream.
What, in your opinion, is important for Mesa+ to stay successful in the future?
Inviting famous speakers is important for the new ideas of the next generation of scientists, I believe. The same applies to exchanging colleagues from other leading institutes. Transfer of ideas and students is important also.
In my research, there was a good match between supramolecular chemistry and nanotechnology. A nice synthesis came out of this project. So, collaboration between groups in Mesa+ on interesting topics is important as well.