Research Project :
Large scale synthesis of Prussian Blue nanoparticles
Laboratory : Institut Charles Gerhardt de Montpellier – Equipe Ingénierie Moléculaire et Nano Objets
Duration : 5 – 6 months
Begins : January – February 2020
Deadline : 13 December 2019
Supervisors : Saad SENE and Joulia LARIONOVA
Description
Prussian Blue is a blue pigment discovered in the early 18th century. This family of coordination polymers, whose formula is AxFeIII[FeII(CN)6]y.xH2O (A=Na, K,…), presents interesting properties (photothermia, conductivity, magnetism,…) allowing them to be used in various applications. One can mention RadiogardaseTM for example, which is a medicine based on prussian blue and approved by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) for the decontamination in human following a poisoning to Cs+ et Tl+ radioactive elements (Coordination Chemistry Reviews 346 (2017) 32–61).
Research on these materials has grown fast in recent decays due to their nanometric scaling inducing increased properties. Synthetic methods have thus been developed allowing the preparation of nanoparticles with controlled size and distribution. However only few milligrams can be obtained using those methods up to now. One major challenge is thus to develop new synthetic methods in order to increase the yield while keeping a control on nanoparticles size. The syntheses by continuous flow or milli-fluidic are ways to consider.
Goal
The goal of this internship will be first to get to know the synthesis by co-precipitation method used to produce prussian blue nanoparticles. Then the intern will have to:
- Rationalize and optimize the technique of controlled co-precipitation
- Improve the synthesis by vortex (technique already developed in the group) by optimizing some parameters (speed, concentrations …)
- Characterize the samples by different techniques
- Extend the technique to Prussian blue analogues
Candidate Profile
An affinity for inorganic chemistry and material chemistry is expected. He or she will be required to use classical characterization techniques (IR, UV-Visible, XRD, SEM-EDS,…) A good knowledge of IT tools and few concepts on programming will be optional skills but valuable.
To apply
If you’re interested, please send your CV and motivation letter to this following address : saad.sene@umontpellier.fr
Location : Montpellier
Laboratory : IGCM
Deadline : December 13 2019
Duration : 5 – 6 months
Salary : ~ 525 euros monthly gross