Award Abstract #0506951
NIRT: Metal Ion Complexation by Dendritic Nanoscale Ligands: Fundamental Investigations and Applications to Water Purification

NSF Org:	CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
Initial Amendment Date:	July 19, 2005
Latest Amendment Date:	August 28, 2007
Award Number:	0506951
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Rosemarie D. Wesson CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	August 1, 2005
Expires:	July 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$1223000
Investigator(s):	Mamadou Diallo diallo@wag.caltech.edu (Principal Investigator) James Johnson (Co-Principal Investigator) Jean M. J. Frechet (Co-Principal Investigator) William Goddard (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Howard University 2400 Sixth Street N W Washington, DC 20059 202/806-5567
NSF Program(s):	ENG NNI SPECIAL STUDIES, NANOSCALE: INTRDISCPL RESRCH T, GRANT OPP FOR ACAD LIA W/INDUS, CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL SEPAR, INTERFAC PROCESSES & THERMODYN, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Field Application(s):	0308000 Industrial Technology, 0313040 Water Pollution, 0316000 Trace Contaminants
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 1674, 1417, 054E, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	7681, 1674, 1504, 1417, 1414, 1179

ABSTRACT

Abstract

Proposal Title: NIRT: Metal Ion Complexation by Dendritic Nanoscale Ligands: Fundamental Investigations and Applications to Water Purification

Proposal Number: CTS-0506951

Principal Investigator: Mamadou Diallo

Institution: Howard University

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative,

NSF 04-043, category NIRT. The fundamental mechanisms by which nanoscale ligands

such as dendrimers bind metal ions will be elucidated through a combination of techniques: dendrimer synthesis and characterization, bench scale measurements of proton and metal ion binding, spectroscopic measurements and analysis, and multiscale modeling. In addition to advancing the fundamental science of metal ion chelation by nanoscale ligands, this research could provide insight and guidance to scientists and engineers interested in the use of dendrimers as high capacity chelating agents for industrial separations and templates for the synthesis of metal-bearing nanostructures with electronic, magnetic, optical, and catalytic activity. Two water purification platforms will be emphasized in this project: dendrimer-enhanced filtration systems and dendrimer-based treatment units. The dendrimer enhanced ultrafiltration (DEUF) process combines water-soluble functionalized dendritic polymers with the well-established water purification technology of ultrafiltration. A key objective of this project is to optimize DEUF for the recovery of metal ions from the membrane concentrates of water treatment and desalination plants, thus providing water utilities in the US with more efficient and cost-effective means of treating the problem of brine disposal. Another goal of this project is to explore the use of iron-dendrimer complexes as functional materials for a new generation of membrane-based reactors for water purification. In terms of the broader impacts, this project could provide the water industry with a versatile technology for purifying water contaminated by redox active metal ions such chromium. Similarly, the development of dendrimer-based units that selectively remove copper and lead from water would provide municipalities with novel means of treating contaminants resulting from the dissolution of water delivery pipes. This project will also provide training opportunities in interdisciplinary research for postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students at Howard University, the University of California at Berkeley, and the California Institute of Technology.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

5. Bryantsev, V. S.; de Jong, W. A.; Cossel, K. C.; Diallo, M. S.; Goddard, W. A., III; Groenewold, G. S.; Chien, W.; Van Stipdonk, M.. "Two-Electron Three-Centered Bond in Side-On (η2) Uranyl(V) Superoxo Complexes.," Journal of Physical Chemistry A, v.112, 2008, p. 5777.

Bryantsev, V. S., Diallo, M.S., and Goddard, W. A. III.. "pKa Calculations of Aliphatic Amines, Diamines, and Aminoamides via Density Functional Theory with a Poisson-Boltzmann Continuum-Solvent Model.," Journal of Physical Chemistry A., v.111, 2007, p. 4422.

Bryantsev, V. S., Diallo, M.S., and Goddard, W. A. III.. "Calculation of Solvation Free Energies Using Mixed Cluster/Continuum Models," Journal of Physical B, 2008.

Diallo, M. S.; Falconer, K.; Johnson, J. H. Jr. and Jr., Goddard, W. A III.. "Dendritic Anion Hosts: Perchlorate Binding to G5-NH2 Poly(propyleneimine) Dendrimer in Aqueous Solutions.," Environmental Science and Technology, v.42, 2008, p. 1572.

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