SFB 953: Synthetic Carbon Allotropes (SFB 953)

Third Party Funds Group - Overall project


Acronym: SFB 953

Start date : 01.01.2012


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Scientific Abstract

Synthetic carbon allotropes such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene currently represent one of the most promising materials families with enormous potential for high-performance applications in the fields of nanoelectronics, optoelectonics, hydrogen storage, sensors and reinforcements of polymers based on their unprecedented electronic, optical, mechanical and chemical properties. Because of the almost limitless possibilities of constructing both discrete and extended networks of sp-, sp2- and sp3-hybridised C-atoms, many additional and so far unknown modifications with remarkable properties can be imagined and have been predicted. Tapping these exciting possibilities fully, however, still requires overcoming a number of significant hurdles such as high-yield production methods, sorting and separation, developing synthesis protocols for new carbon allotropes, controlled doping with heteroelements, solubilisation, chemical functionalisation, hierarchically ordered architectures and layer (single and multiple) formation. Hence tremendous interdisciplinary efforts are required that systematically combine the expertise of chemists, physicists, engineers and theoreticians, together with the contributions of high-end analytical instrumentation. The University of Erlangen-Nürnberg hosts probably the largest and most productive pioneering community in Europe or even worldwide at the forefront of carbon allotrope research. As a consequence Erlangen is the ideal place for the Collaborative Research Centre. The programme is structured according to three research areas and two central projects. Research area A "Synthesis and Functionalisation" provides the materials basis of the programme. Chemical functionalisation of existing synthetic carbon allotropes and development of new carbon modifications both lie at the forefront of this effort. The next level within the process chain is the systematic investigation of physical and materials properties and the development of concepts for device fabrication. This is guaranteed by the close interaction with research area B "Electronic, Optical and Structural Properties" and the two scientific central projects on high-resolution electron microscopy and tandem mass spectrometry. This highly integrated and interdisciplinary approach of the Collaborative Research Centre also necessitates a close connection with research area C "Theory". Both classical and quantum mechanical calculations provide the basis for an in-depth understanding of reaction mechanisms, stability as well as electronic, optical, structural and mechanical properties of synthetic carbon allotropes and their derivatives. Moreover, theory will provide some of the most valuable design principles for the exploration of hitherto unknown forms of carbon.

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