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Functional molecular nanosystems

The research activity is articulated along three complementary lines:

  • Synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanosystems (thin films, nanopowders) through liquid phase soft-chemical approaches: the rapid and continuous evolution of scientific progress in the last decade is directly dependent on the availability of functional materials endowed with specific properties. In this framework, a great challenge is represented by the development of chemistry solution processes for the realization of materials with a fine control of composition, microstructure and dispersion of functional species (molecules, ions…). To this regard, oxide- and halide- based materials show a broad spectrum of functional properties (-photo-/catalysis, sensing, photonics, and energetic…), owing to their peculiar structures and chemico-physical characteristics.

  • Functionalization of nanostructures with molecules and metal complexes through chemical grafting and/or embedding: the embedding or covalent linking of active molecules in/on inorganic matrices as well as their grafting on surfaces paves the way for the development of innovative materials endowed with peculiar functional performances. The combination of different functional molecules with different nanostructured oxide-based substrates, the controlled organization at the nanoscale and the tailoring of their mutual interactions are key steps for their employment in many technological fields such as diagnosis and biomedical sensing, molecular recognition or lighting.

  • Self-assembly and organization of coordination driven metallo-supramolecular architectures: coordination-driven supramolecular architectures generated from metal centres and well designed polytopic ligands have received great attention. These systems embrace discrete molecular assemblies (grids, boxes, cages and capsules), extended systems (metal coordination polymers and frameworks), and surface confined architectures. Among others, their applications include host-guest systems for molecular storage, separation and sensing, catalysis, and reactivity in confined spaces.
  • RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
    • L. Armelao, S. Quici, F. Barigelletti, G. Accorsi, G. Bottaro, M. Cavazzini and E. Tondello
      Design of luminescent lanthanide complexes: From molecules to highly efficient photo-emitting materials
      Coord. Chem. Rev., 2010, 254, 487
    • S. Quici, A. Casoni, F. Foschi, L. Armelao, G. Bottaro, R. Seraglia, C. Bolzati, N. Salvarese, D. Carpanese, and A. Rosato
      Folic Acid-Conjugated Europium Complexes as Luminescent Probes for Selective Targeting of Cancer Cells
      J. Med. Chem., 2015, 58, 2003
    • L. Armelao, G. Bottaro, C. Maccato and E. Tondello
      Bismuth oxychloride nanoflakes: Interplay between composition-structure and optical properties
      Dalton Trans., 2012, 41, 5480
    • M. Rancan, J. Tessarolo, S. Quici and L. Armelao
      Post-assembly guest oxidation in a metallo-supramolecular host and structural rearrangement to a coordination polymer
      Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 13761
    • M. Rancan, J. Tessarolo, M. Casarin, P. L. Zanonato, S. Quici and L. Armelao
      Double Level Selection in a Constitutional Dynamic Library of Coordination Driven Supramolecular Polygons
      Inorg. Chem., 2014, 53, 7276