Light-Driven Mechanically Interlocked Molecules for Environmental Remediation

Designing light-driven, mechanically interlocked molecules to selectively capture cationic pollutants while exploring how mechanical bonding reshapes photoswitching behaviour and function.

This project designs and synthesises light-driven, mechanically interlocked molecules, such as rotaxanes, knots and catenanes, to selectively capture and remove cationic pollutants from the environment.

A central focus is uncovering how mechanical interlocking fundamentally alters the behaviour of embedded photoswitches. By confining components within an interlocked architecture, we investigate how steric and electronic constraints reshape switching kinetics, photostationary states, and thermal stability compared to simple, non-interlocked analogues.

Mastering this interplay between mechanical bonding and light responsiveness allows us to fine-tune overall molecular function. Using specific wavelengths of light as a clean, reversible trigger, these systems switch between high- and low-affinity states—enabling the targeted extraction of cationic pollutants and their controlled release for recyclable environmental remediation.

Key Research Objectives

  • Synthesis of Photo-Responsive MIMs: Designing and constructing novel rotaxanes, knots and catenanes incorporating molecular photoswitches and tailored cation-binding sites.
  • Probing Confinement & Mechanical Effects: Using UV-Vis spectroscopy, variable-temperature NMR, and kinetic analysis to quantify how mechanical interlocking modulates photoswitching dynamics and photostationary states.
  • Light-Gated Pollutant Capture & Release: Demonstrating reversible, light-triggered uptake and release of target cationic pollutants for sustainable, recyclable water treatment.

Student Opportunities

  • PhD, Masters & Honours Projects Available: This project offers hands-on training in multistep organic synthesis, supramolecular host–guest titrations, photochemistry, and advanced spectroscopic characterisation and computational analysis.
  • Get in Touch: Prospective PhD, Masters or Honours students interested in joining this project are encouraged to reach out via email to discuss available scholarships and project details. _projects/1_project.md_projects/1_project.md

References