Research Activity

Electroluminescent materials

For several years, our group has been interested in phosphorescent transition metal complexes, such as platinum(II), iridium(III), rhenium(I) or copper(I) compounds, as suitable components for energy-saving optical devices. Through a rational design of the molecular structure, we have shown how to modulate the emission color, in particular towards the development of challenging UV, blue emitters and white light generation. As a result, highly efficient electro-optical devices have been achieved, including OLEDs, PLEDs and LEECs, as well as devices based on electrochemically generated luminescence for diagnostic applications.

Supramolecular Self Assembly

Our group is interested in the self assembly of molecules as well as nanoparticles in defined structure. The assemblies can be fibers, micelles, vesicles, gels and are dynamic reversible structures. Self-assembly can induce several properties such as change in the emission color, enhancement or turn on of the emission, different reactivity or even different functionality. Amongst the molecules we selected platinum complexes and for the materials we use porous silica. We can organize the systems using covalent and/or non covalent interactions or even using light (optical tweezer).

In vitro & in vivo imaging

Chemically and physically engineered functional nano-materials have been widely used as diagnostic agents in biomedicine due to the possibility to implement large number of imaging labels as well multimodality on these systems. The objective of our group in this field is the development of new functional nano- materials for in vivo and in vitro imaging and combination of diagnostics and therapy. One of our strategy involves the combination of optical detection with MRI by combining the use of pores and surface functionalization. We are also interested in soft materials which are generated in living system upon self assembly of small molecules. An additional focus is the use of ultra small nanoparticles for multi modal imaging.

Porous materials

We are interested in developing porous nanocontainers possessing different functionalities that could be organized as monolayers on different substrates. We are able to prepare nano/micro objects with different structure and pore size, different morphology, and different functionalization. Several materials have been developing in our group such as: zeolites, silicon nanoparticles, mesoporous silica, and cobalt nano particles. We have shown that nano/micro patterned zeolite monolayer, can allow cell growth, including neurons, and that the cells follow the pattern. Selective adhesion of certain types of cells can be achieved and in combination with hydrogels results in a hard and soft arrangement which can open up new strategies for regenerative medicine.

Our Research in Detail