Applications are invited for a three-year QMUL funded PhD studentship starting in October 2014 to work in the lab of Dr. Matteo Palma in the Division of Chemistry & Biochemistry of the School of Biological & Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. (The deadline for applications is: 10 a.m. 31st January 2014)
The controlled self-assembly of functional nanostructures is of great interest in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. In particular there is a need for simple strategies for the production of single-molecule electronic devices. In this context, nanofabrication techniques and self-assembly strategies can allow us to control the organization, on surfaces, of nanostructures of interest for optoelectronic applications.

We plan to fabricate single-molecule devices for molecular electronics and renewable energy applications. This will be achieved interfacing individual molecules/nanostructures to carbon nanotubes electrodes for circuit integration, where the junction moieties will be acting as functional building blocks in single-molecule (and nanotube network) devices. Electronic devices will be fabricated by subsequent assembly of the molecular junctions on nanopatterned substrates: the devices will respond to environmental changes based on the functional groups in the molecules, i.e. via the transduction of chemical and biological stimuli into electrical signals.

The project will involve the use of i) chemical approaches, ii) nanofabrication strategies, and iii) microscopy techniques for nanoscale characterization. Covalent and supramolecular chemistry strategies will be developed for the self-assembly (in solution) of nanotube junctions. The nanostructures will be then characterized via Scanning Probe Microcopy (AFM-based) and electron Microscopy (SEM/TEM). Nanofabrication techniques will be employed for the fabrication of nanoscale devices, that will be electrically characterized. The controlled fabrication of these junctions will allow the realization of high-throughput and versatile platforms for molecular electronics. The work will be carried out in collaboration with colleagues in the School of Physics and the Materials Research Institute.

Applications are invited from candidates with, or expecting to be awarded, at least an upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an area relevant to the project (e.g. physical chemistry, materials science, physics or engineering). International students are required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English language skills. Informal enquiries about the project can be made by email to m.palma@qmul.ac.uk.