Multilayering molecularly-bonded metal-nitride nanointerfaces for novel properties

This project will lay the foundation for a new class of high-interface-fraction multilayers of inorganic nanolayers bonded with interfacial molecular nanoglue layers (MNLs).

We anticipate accessing new types of unprecedented molecularly-tunable enhancements in mechanical and electronic  transport properties.

This work is based on the main applicant’s prior demonstrations of unexpected MNL-induced multifold toughening and electrical conductance increases at individual inorganic bilayer interfaces.

Here, we propose that multilayering nanoglued interfaces willamplify MNL-induced properties through superposition of MNL effects from multiple interfaces.

This hypothesis is supported by our prior results indicating that the influence of an interfacial MNL extends beyond the immediately adjacent layers.

Moreover, preliminary theoretical calculations show that MNL structure and chemistry strongly affect interfacial mechanical properties and electric transport, and give rise to emergent phenomena.

The goal here is to reveal, understand, and harness, relationships between novel mechanical and electronic properties and the chemical and structural features of MNL-bonded inorganic multilayers.

We will investigate multilayers with model metal nitrides and interfacial MNLs with chosen backbone structures, lengths and terminal moieties.

The knowledge from this work should pave the way for realizing a variety of hybrid multilayered nanomaterials with novel molecularly-tailorable properties.