Date of Award

12-2007

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Dr. Ekkehard Sinn

Second Advisor

Dr. Subra Muralidharan

Third Advisor

Dr. Yirong Mo

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Sherine Obare

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The basis of the research work described here is the use of nanocomposite materials built by bottom-up approach for the selective detection of nerve gas analogs. Nanocomposites materials constructed by using nanoparticle-monomer-receptor (NMR) concept have been utilized to detect nerve gas analogs DCP and DMMP. Synthetic approach used in the construction of nanosensors involved use of robust platforms such as silica nanoparticles and fluorescent quantum dots. Highly conjugated receptor molecules were synthesized by using stilbeneoid compounds. A complete opto-nanosensor was developed by anchoring highly conjugated receptor molecules onto the silica nanoparticles as well as onto the quantum dots. The opto-nanosensors developed were analyzed for their efficacies to detect nerve gas analogs. They exhibited different Uv-Vis, excitation, and emission behavior than their individual building blocks. Nanosensors showed change in their emission behavior after interacting with nerve gas analogs. The interaction was quantified by measuring association constants between nerve gas analogs and nanosensor. Nanosensors based on quantum dots showed relatively better change in their emissive behavior after interacting with nerve gas analogs. The nanosensors based on NMR concept constructed by the "bottom-up" approach could achieve practical application.

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