Faculty Research Interests:
We are interested in the general area of self-assembly for the rational construction of 2- and 3-dimensional structures with particular chemical, physical, optical or electronic properties. We combine molecular modeling, traditional synthetic chemistry, supramolecular synthesis and a variety of analytical techniques to address these issues.
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have long been prepared on metal or metal oxide surfaces. While we also prepare SAMs on polycrystalline gold (particularly in our collaboration with the Wright group), we are particularly interested in self-assembled structures on the surface of electronically conducting polymers. Currently, we are looking at the assembly of porphyrin arrays, gold nanoparticles and metal coordination complexes on various surfaces.
Another principle area of investigation is the construction of nanoporous materials through crystal engineering of organic and coordination compounds. For example, we have long been interested in the use of Halogen Bonding -- a highly directional interaction similar to a hydrogen bond in strength -- for controlling crystal organization. We are looking at halogen bonding, in combination with the fascinating ability of conjugated diacetylenes to undergo solid state photopolymerization, as a method for creating "organic zeolites". These materials have a robust structure that allows for guest exchange in electron-rich cavities of controlled size and shape.
Diacetylenes are also the key functionality for a series of "molecular strain gauges" being developed with our collaborators at Clemson University. We are designing and synthesizing polydiacetylenes (PDAs) that are miscible with high volume commercial polymers. The PDAs are intense Raman scatters that feature strong signals in acetylene and olefinic regions that are sensitive to applied stress. Such sensors are being developed to answer questions about manufacturing processes, product stabilities and lifetimes and potentially for product exposure to hazardous chemical or biological agents.
Recent Publications:
- Pennington, W. T.; Hanks, T. W.; Arman, H. D. "Halogen bonding with dihalides and interhalides", Halogen Bonding: Fundamentals and Applications, 2008, .
- Hanks, T. W.; Yuan, Z. " A Reversible Colorimetric and Fluorescent Polydiacetylene Vesicle Sensor Platform", Polymer, 2008, 49, 5023-5026.
- Glish, L.; Hanks, T. W. "Computational Analysis of Stereospecificity in the Cope Rearrangement", Journal of Chemical Education, 2007, 84, 2001-2003.
- Deb, P.; Yuan, Z.; Ramsey, L.; Hanks, T. W. "Synthesis and Optical Properties of Chiral Polydiacetylenes", Macromolecules, 2007, 40, 3533-3537.
- Holmes, B. T.; Deb, P.; Pennington, W. T.; Hanks, T. W. "Synthesis and Polymerization Behavior of Tridentate Diacetylene Hosts", J. Polymer Res., 2006, 13, 133-144.
- Kauffman, J. S.; Calchera, A.; Behal, S.; Hanks, T. W.; Ellison, M. S.; Pennington, W. T. "Polydiacetylenes as Probes for Monitoring Strain in Blended Films", PMSE Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Mat. Sci. Eng.), 2006, 94, 381.
- Yuan, Z.; Deb, P.; Ramsey, L.; Hanks, T. W. "Chromic Transitions in Chiral Symmetric BCMU Family Polydiacetylenes", PMSE Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Mat. Sci. Eng.), 2006, 94, 494.
- Padgett, C. W.; Pennington, W. T.; Hanks, T. W. "Conformations and Binding Modes of 2,3,5,6-Tetra(2’-pyridyl)pyrazine ", Cryst. Growth Design, 2005, 5, 737-744.
- Padgett, C. W.; Walsh, R. D.; Drake, G. W.; Hanks, T. W.; Pennington, W. T. "New Conformations and Binding Modes in Halogen Bonded and Ionic Complexes of 2,3,5,6-Tetra(2’-pyridyl)pyrazine", Cryst. Growth Design, 2005, 5, 795-807.
- Hanks, T.; Glish, L.; Singh, S.; Johnson, D.; Wright, L. "Conducting Polymers as Substrates for Surface-Mounted Molecular Devices", Synth. Metals, 2005, 127, 177-180.
- Ramsey, L. R.; Deb, P.; Hanks, T. W. "Synthesis of Chiral Polydiacetylenes from Amino Acids,", Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem, 2004, 45, 223-224.
- Deb, P.; Holmes, B. T.; Pennington, W. T.; Hanks, T. W. "Design and Synthesis of Polymerizable Tridentate Hosts for Encapsulation of Organoiodides", Poly. Prepr. (Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Polym. Chem.), 2004, 45, 223-224.
