“Development of DNP-enhanced solid-state NMR techniques for surface analysis of functionalized cellulose-based materials”

In the chemistry department at TU Darmstadt a position as scientific co-worker (part-time E13) financed by third party funds is offered for a period of 3 years, starting as soon as possible. The position offers the possibility to graduate with a PhD. The candidate should have graduated from university with a master or equivalent degree in chemistry, physics or materials science with “very good” or “excellent” grades, and should be able to familiarize quickly in up-to-date research areas. Knowledge in NMR techniques, especially in solid-state NMR are of advantage but not mandatory required. The research topic includes a training period in which the candidate will become familiar with the solid-state NMR technique, DNP and low-temperature techniques, as well as with the specific sample preparation. The candidate will work under supervision with freedom to realize own ideas in the context of the project. Smaller technical tasks (i.e. filling of magnets with cryogenics) needed to take care on the NMR machines will be performed by the candidate. Commitment to cooperate with various synthetic working groups at TU Darmstadt as well as with external and international partners at Universität Saarbrücken and TU Graz is desired.

Project description: Cellulose is the major component of plant walls and thus the world’s most abundant polymer. In recent years, cellulose has been established as a sustainable platform for manufacturing tailor-made functional materials (i.e. as carrier for optical active materials,2 in biosensoric materials,3 fluidics 4, as membrane for fuel cells,5 etc.). A big challenge of functionalized cellulose and paper materials is the characterization of their complex local structures and surface modifications that is required for a deeper understanding of the structure-property relationship and thus necessary for a tailor-made design. Solid-state NMR is a method that allows the study of ill-defined systems. To reach the necessary sensitivity solid-state NMR can be combined with DNP that transfers the three order of magnitude higher electron spin polarization of unpaired electrons into nuclear spin polarization and thus drastically boosts the sensitivity of NMR.6

The research work of the project will focus on development and application of DNP approaches to characterize functional cellulose-based systems (i.e. silica coated and post modified papers, or polymer functionalized papers) by means of multinuclear solid-state NMR techniques combined with DNP. The silica-based model materials are prepared in a parallel project in our working group. Functionalized paper substrates are manufactured from groups working in macromolecular chemistry (TU Darmstadt, Universität Saarbrücken and TU Graz).

References

[1] Gutmann, T.*, Kumari, B., Zhao, L., Breitzke, H.; Schöttner, S., Rüttiger, C., Gallei, M.*, DNP Signal Amplification as Sensitive Probe for Specific Functionalization of Complex Paper Substrates, J. Phys. Chem. C 121, (2017), 3896-3903. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b11751

[2] Höfler, M. V., Hoinka, N., Schäfer, T., Horn, M., Aussenac, F., Fuhrmann-Lieker, T.*, Gutmann, T.*, Light Amplification Materials based on Biopolymers doped with Dye Molecules – Structural Insights from 15N and 13C Solid state Dynamic Nuclear Polarization. J. Phys. Chem C 125, (2021), 21550–21558. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c06737

[3] Höfler, M. V., Limprasart, W., Rösler, L., Fleckenstein, M., Brodrecht, M., Herr, K., Schäfer, J.-L., Biesalski, M., Breitzke, H., Gutmann, T.*, Fluorine Labeled N-Boc-L-Proline as Marker for Solid-State NMR Characterization of Biofunctionalizations on Paper Substrates. J. Phys. Chem C 117, (2023), 3570–3578. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c08370

[4] Dubois, C., Herzog, N., Rüttiger, C., Geissler, A., Grange, E., Kunz, U., Kleebe, H.-J., Biesalski, M., Meckel, T., Gutmann, T., Gallei, M., Andrieu-Brunsen, A.*, Fluid Flow Programming in Paper-Derived Silica-Polymer Hybrids, Langmuir 33, (2017), 332–339. DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b03839

[5] Zhao, L., Smolarkiewicz, I., Limbach, H.-H., Breitzke, H., Pogorzelec-Glaser, K., Pankiewicz, R., Tritt-Goc, J.*, Gutmann, T.*, Buntkowsky, G.*, Imidazole Doped Cellulose as Membrane for Fuel Cells – Structural and Dynamic Insights from Solid-State NMR, J. Phys. Chem. C 120, (2016), 19574-19585. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b07049

[6] Höfler, M. V., Lins, J., Seelinger, D., Pachernegg, L., Schäfer, T., Spirk, S., Biesalski, M., Gutmann, T.* DNP enhanced solid-state NMR – A powerful tool to address the surface functionalization of cellulose/paper derived materials. J. Magn. Reson. Open 21, (2024), 100163. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmro.2024.100163

Interested candidates are asked to send their CV and certificates together with a short motivation letter to gutmann@chemie.tu-darmstadt.de. Detailed information on the position can be requested from Prof. Gutmann.

Contact:

apl. Prof. Dr. Torsten Gutmann

Eduard Zintl Institut für Anorg. und Phys. Chemie

Peter-Grünberg-Straße 8

D-64287 Darmstadt

email: gutmann@chemie.tu-darmstadt.de

NMR Hall: +49615116-21838

Büro: +49615116-21122

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The working Gutmann group offers actual topics for Bachelor- and Master theses. These topics range from structural analytics of functionalized materials with solid-state NMR and hyperpolarization techniques to synthesis of heterogenized catalysts and their application in catalysis. The wishes and interests of the students can be individually addressed.

Interested? For detailed information please contact Dr. Torsten Gutmann. (gutmann@chemie.tu-darmstadt.de)

Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

Die Gutmann Gruppe bietet stets aktuelle Themen für Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten, sowie für Forschungspraktika an. Diese Themen reichen von der strukturellen Untersuchung von funktionalen Materialien für Energiespeicherung mit Festkörper-NMR und Hyperpolarisationstechniken bis hin zu heterogenen Katalysatoren und deren Untersuchung in der Katalyse mittels Flüssigkeits- und Gasphasen NMR. Auf die Wünsche und Interessen der Studierenden kann bei der Themenwahl individuell eingegangen werden.

Interessiert? Für detaillierte Informationen kontaktieren Sie bitte apl. Prof. Dr. Torsten Gutmann. (gutmann@chemie.tu-darmstadt.de)

The Gutmann’s group is looking for a student assistant to support small synthesis demands as well as to perform systematic analytics of materials and catalyst systems with NMR techniques. A working time of 40 hours per month should be aimed but can be arranged individually.

A successfully completed Bachelor's degree in chemistry is a prerequisite. You should enjoy synthesis and/or systematic analytics. Good German and English skills are required.

Interested students please contact apl. Prof. Dr. Torsten Gutmann by email or phone:

e-Mail: gutmann@chemie.tu-darmstadt.de

phone: +49 6151 16-21122

Der Arbeitskreis Gutmann sucht eine studentische Hilfskraft zur Unterstützung im Bereich der Synthese und/oder systematischen Untersuchung von Materialien und Katalysatoren mittels NMR Spektroskopie. Eine Arbeitszeit von 40 h pro Monat sollte angestrebt werden kann aber individuell vereinbart werden.

Ein erfolgreich absolviertes Bachelor-Studium der Chemie ist Voraussetzung. Es sollte Spaß an Synthese bzw. systematischer Analytik, sowie gute Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse mitgebracht werden.

Interessenten melden Sich bitte bei apl. Prof. Dr. Torsten Gutmann per E-Mail oder telefonisch bei:

e-Mail: gutmann@chemie.tu-darmstadt.de

phone: +49 6151 16-21122