Annual Report 2007 - The Australian Nanotechnology Network

Ms Massey De Los Reyes (Ian Wark Institute) - visit to the Australian Nuclear
Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
ARCNN Long Term Visit Report
Project based on the synthesis and characterisation of surface functionalised mesoporous
materials.
Subsidies from the ARCNN provided money for travel, accommodation and flights.
Funding and travel was undertaken on the 1 st of May to the 31 st of October 2007 from the Ian
Wark Research Institute (IWRI, South Australia) to the Australian Nuclear Science and
Technology Organisation (ANSTO, New South Wales). The aim of the 6 month stay was to
instigate a solid collaboration with the functional materials group, gain knowledge in this
specific field of chemistry, a ‘hands-on’ experience of handling nano sized materials and make
optimal use of ANSTO facilities that are not offered at the University.
The major crux of the visit resulted in a better grasp at characterisation techniques (Transmission
Electron Microscopy (TEM), N2 Adsorption, Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
(ICP-MS), Differential Thermal Analysis-Thermogravimetric Analysis (DTA-TGA) and solidstate
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)) needed to assess bonding and structure
of these nano-sized functional materials. Attaching functional molecules onto metal oxide
surfaces involves a complex series of reversible and irreversible chemical processes. In order for
these molecules to bind to the surface, it is critical that either the surface or the ligand be in
appropriate (hydroxylated) chemical form to undergo the condensation chemistry necessary for
the anchoring process. Functionalisation in this respect was successful. I worked with a
conscientious, diligent and hard working team, comprised especially of Dr Victor Luca (group
leader), laboratory manager David Cassidy (who gave countless time and effort explaining
techniques involved in DTA-TGA and N2 Adsorption), Dr Devlet Sizgek (on her expertise in
synthesising these materials) and of course, my co-supervisor Dr Christopher Griffith (of whom I
would like to call an encyclopaedia of scientific knowledge!).
The stay also proved positive experimentally as new protocols and methods were established,
most importantly in regards to the chemical/radiolytic stability of these materials and also
touching base on its ability to remove radio-complexes from aqueous solutions using a specific
phosphonic acid ligand; N- (Phosphonomethyl) iminodiacetic acid; with iminodiacetic acid
already proven to remove metal cations from waste waters.
Work done at ANSTO with funding from the ARCNN will lead to at least two publications and
has already generated a poster, presented at the 2008 ICONN conference.
Overall, this visit has enhanced my experience with new technologies and materials preparation,
allowed me to undertake safety training courses in both the laboratory and handling radioactive
substances and strengthened creativity skills; providing other angles to think more proactively
about the issues of the project.
Mr Dinesh Kumar Venkatachalam (RMIT University) – visit to the Electronic
Materials Engineering Department at the Australian National University
Mr Venkatachalam will be visiting the Australian National University in January 2008
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