Stefan Kaskel

Porous materials and nanocomposites

Previous and current research

Porous materials play a key role for the incorporation of small molecules such as gases for energy storage. Biological molecules like enzymes can be efficiently captured and immobilized in porous systems as well. For such applications the design of materials with well defined pore size in the nanometer regime and high accessible surface is essential. Metal-organic frameworks with pore sizes up to 2 nm are developed for the adsorption of small molecules. They are crystalline and have extremely high specific surface areas up to 5000 m2g-1. Ordered mesoporous oxides have pore sizes of 3-10 nm and the pores are arranged in an ordered array. They can encapsulate enzymes or nanoparticles.

The synthesis of nanoparticles is a second activity of the group. They have unique luminescent, light absorbing or magnetic properties. Surface functionalization allows to attach the particles to polymers or other soft matter. In this way functions associated with the inorganic particle are integrated into soft materials with specific functions or properties. Since the nanoparticles are too small to be detected by the naked eye, transparent hybrid materials with new optical functions are obtained.

Transmission electron micrograph of an ordered mesoporous oxide with pores 5 nm in diameter.

Future prospects and goals

The interaction of biological molecules with porous inorganic materials will be used for the generation of bioactive, bioresponsive and controlled release functional hybrid materials. Nanoparticles will be used for the bio-controlled organization of luminescent nanogrids and superstructures.

About

Selected publications

P. Krawiec, M. Kramer, M. Sabo, R. Kunschke, H. Fröde, S. Kaskel*, “Improved Hydrogen Storage in the Metal-Organic Framework Cu3(BTC)2”, Adv. Eng. Mater. 2006, 8,  293-296.

P. Krawiec, E. Kockrick, P. Simon, G. Auffermann, S. Kaskel, “Platinum-Catalyzed Template Removal for the in Situ Synthesis of MCM-41 Supported Catalysts”, Chem. Mater. 2006, 18, 2663-2669.

P. Krawiec, P. L. De Cola, R. Gläser, J. Weitkamp, C. Weidenthaler, S. Kaskel*, “Oxide Foams for the Synthesis of High Surface Area Vanadium Nitride Catalysts“, Adv. Mater. 2006, 18,  505-508.

H. Althues, R. Palkovits, A. Rumplecker, P. Simon, W. Sigle, M. Bredol, U. Kynast,  S. Kaskel*, “Synthesis and Characterization of transparent luminescent ZnS:Mn/PMMA Nanocomposites“, Chem. Mater. 2006, 18,  1068-1072.

R. Palkovits, H. Althues, A. Rumplecker, B. Tesche, A. Dreier, U. Holle, G. Fink, C.H. Cheng, D. F. Shantz, S. Kaskel, “Polymerization of w/o-Microemulsions for the Preparation of Transparent SiO2/PMMA-Nanocomposites“, Langmuir  2005,  21,  6048-6053.

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