Project and Internship

The Prussian Blue (PB) is blue pigment with a chemical formula Fe₄[Fe(CN)₆]₃ discovered at the beginning of the 18^th century. The PB (or analogs PBA) nano-object deposition on different types of surface is nowadays a very hot topic.[1] After several chemical treatments on surface, it is possible to growth a nano-layer of PB(A). Then, we obtain thin film with the optical, chemical and magnetic properties of PB(A). This layer will be used as an elementary component for sensors. Furthermore, couple gold surface and PB(A) nano-layer will result in synergetic effect between PB(A) and optical gold properties.

The surfaces functionalization by PB(A) can be realized in two ways, nanoparticles deposition [2], or nano-layer growth [3].

Objectives

During this internship, the student will:

• Functionalized glass and gold surfaces to control the PB(A) coverage
• Improve the growth technique (or deposition) of PB(A) nano-objets on the surface
• Characterize the samples using surface measurement techniques: infrared in ATR mode, UV-Visible, …
• Participate in more complicate surface characterization techniques such as plasmonique spectroscopy or atomic force microscopy.

Skills required

Skills in material chemistry, surface / interface chemistry and material characterization (IR ATR, UV-Vis) is expected.

Details for application

To candidate, please send a resume and a motivation letter at the following address: gautier.felix@umontpellier.fr.

[1] Chu, Z.; Liu, Y.; Jin, W., Biosensors and Bioelectronics 2017, 96, 17–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2017.04.036.

[2] Dacarro, G.; Grisoli, P.; Borzenkov, M.; Milanese, C.; Fratini, E.; Ferraro, G.; Taglietti, A.; Pallavicini, P., Supramolecular Chemistry 2017, 29 (11), 823–833. https://doi.org/10.1080/10610278.2017.1372582.

[3] Cobo, S.; Molnár, G.; Carcenac, F.; Szilágyi, P. Á.; Salmon, L.; Vieu, C.; Bousseksou, A., J. Nanosci. Nanotech. 2010, 10 (8), 5042–5050. https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2010.2430.