PI: Nisha Shukla
Co-PI(s): Andrew Gellman
University: Carnegie Mellon University
Industry partner: Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum Corp.
In our previous PITA projects, we have developed syntheses for chiral Au nanoparticles using a two-step process of first synthesizing Au nanoparticles and then adsorbing chiral ligands. These chiral Au nanoparticles demonstrated enantiospecific adsorption and separation of chiral molecules. The limitation of these Au nanoparticles is that their chirality derives solely from the ligands on their surfaces. In a recent perspective article that we published in Nature Materials, we made the case that chiral nanoparticles with intrinsically chiral shapes should have superior enantiospecific properties and potential for application. In the past couple of years, such intrinsically chiral nanoparticles have been synthesized. To complement our previous work, we are proposing the development and application of next-generation chiral Au nanocrystals which are intrinsically chiral. This means that the facets on the Au nanoparticles will be made chiral during the synthesis process. These next-generation chiral nanoparticles will be tested for enantioselective adsorption properties using real chiral pharmaceuticals and other chiral molecules. This project will be conducted with affiliates Braskem and Leybold Corp. who are interested in chiral catalysts and in chiral materials as sensors of chirality. The project will also serve as the basis for undergraduate research education (course number: 06-200, 06-300, 06-400) and a CIT honors course (39-500). In addition, this work will serve as the basis for an outreach program for high school girls conducted in the spring semester.