PhD Research Project: Sensing in two-dimensions with metal-organic nanosheets

Nanomaterials are set to revolutionise every aspect of our lives from electronics to medicine. The remarkable properties shown by graphene have led to the development of a wide variety of other two-dimensional materials. Metal-organic nanosheets (MONs) are a cutting edge class of 2D nanomaterials with the potential for use in applications ranging from ‘smart’ materials and catalysts to light harvesting, gas separation and drug delivery.

The aim of the PhD will be to develop MONs as a new class of sensors for distinguishing biomedically important peptides to aid with the diagnosis of disease. The initial focus of this project will be on the synthesis of new nanosheets and characterisation of their molecular and nanoscopic structure and properties using a wide variety of techniques including x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and atomic-force microscopy. You will also pioneer new techniques to study the interaction of molecules in solution with the nanosheets in suspension and take advantage of the sheets 2D structure and tunability to selectively bind specific peptides. There is also considerable scope within the project to develop the nanosheets towards other applications in line with your interests.

The student will be supported throughout the project with training, mentoring and career development opportunities.

For more information please contact Dr Foster via email (jona.foster@sheffield.ac.uk) and/or see his staff webpages for further information.
 

Funding Notes

This project is in nanomaterials synthesis and supramolecular chemistry. It is funded for 3 years, starting October 2017, by the UK funding agency EPSRC, so applicants must be UK nationals or be 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for the last 3 years. Applicants should have (or expect to obtain) at least the equivalent of a 2.1 honours masters level degree in an appropriate subject.

References

J. A. Foster, S. Henke, A. Schneemann, R. A. Fischer and A. K. Cheetham, Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 10474
L. Cao, Z. Lin, F. Peng, W. Wang, R. Huang, C. Wang, J. Yan, J. Liang, Z. Zhang, T. Zhang, L. Long, J. Sun and W. Lin, Angew. Chem., 2016, 128, 5046
Y. Peng, Y. Li, Y. Ban, H. Jin, W. Jiao, X. Liu and W. Yang, Science, 2014, 346, 1356.