Name:

Dr. Simon Coleman

Contact details

Qualifications

B.Sc Analytical Science

Dublin City University 2006

PhD Physical Chemistry

Dublin City University 2011

"Physicochemical studies of nano-structuring within ionic liquids using photoswitchable spirocyclic compounds"

Project Summary

Nanostructuring within ionic liquids based upon thermodynamic and kinetic properties of spirocyclic compounds. Fundamental materials studies based on solvent-solute interactions in ionic liquids.

The Doctoral thesis project was funded by the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) under the supervision of Prof. Dermot Diamond and Dr. Robert Byrne. The project is based on the fundamental understanding of the thermodynamic, kinetic and photochromic properties of spirooxazines and spiorpyrans in ionic liquids. The final goal of the project was to provide a more detailed understanding of the interactions of spirocyclic compounds within this interesting new class of solvent. We have investigated the physiochemical properties of ionic liquids and the effects solvent-solute interactions have on the thermal relaxation of spirocyclic compounds. Kamlet-Taft parameters allowed insight into hydrogen bonding capabilities of the solvents while Et(30) polarity scales approximated the solvent environment. Synthesis of specific spiro compounds to probe distinct regions within the liquids and the us of Quantum mechanical calculations have also been employed to further understand the ability of ionic liquids to for nano-domains of distinct polarity and chemical properties.

Current research

Industry-academic collaboration with Adidas Wearable Sports Electronics

My current research is based on the implementation of the knowledge gained during my PhD and application to the formation of ECG electrodes for sports applications. Ionogels (polymer-IL hybrids) are produced with specific properties that allow for their applicaiton to clothing and thier subsequent detection of heart output.

Other projects I am currently involved in include the fabrication of a microfluidic chip platform in an Industry-Academic collaboration with Solvay-Solexis in Milan. This project involves the use of a polymer with a well known refractive index and using changes in this to facilitate the detection of biomarkers in samples of very small volumes.

Publications

Electronic structure calculations and physicochemical experiments quantify the competitive liquid ion association and probe stabilisation effects for nitrobenzospiropyran in phosphonium-based ionic liquids

Damien Thompson, Simon Coleman, Dermot Diamond, and Robert Byrne.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2011, Accepted for publication

Photochromic imidazolium based ionic liquids based on spiropyran.

Simon Coleman, Robert Byrne, Nameer Alhashimy, Kevin J Fraser, Douglas R MacFarlane and Dermot Diamond.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2010, 12, 7009

Designer molecular probes for phosphonium ionic liquids.

Robert Byrne, Simon Coleman, Simon Gallagher and Dermot Diamond.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (ionic liquids special edition), 2010, 12, 1895

Investigating nano-structuring within imidazolium ionic liquids: A thermodynamic study using photochromic molecular probes.

Simon Coleman, Robert Byrne, Stela Minkovska and Dermot Diamond.

Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2009, 113, 1558

Photochromism of nitrobenzospiropyran in phosphonium based ionic liquids.

Robert Byrne, Simon Coleman, Kevin J Fraser, Ana Raduta, Douglas MacFarlane and Dermot Diamond.

Physical Chemistry Chemical  Physics, 2009, 11, 7286

Thermal reversion of spirooxazine in ionic liquids containing the [NTf₂]^- anion.

Simon Coleman, Robert Byrne, Stela Minkovska and Dermot Diamond.

Physical Chemistry Chemical  Physics, 2009, 11, 5609

Further Information

http://www.clarity-centre.org/

http://www.ncsr.ie/