Research

Dr. Selby’s research interests involve the design and synthesis of novel organic and organometallic materials, such as dendrimers. A dendrimer is defined as a 3-dimensional, highly branched, monodispersed macromolecule. One area of Dr. Selby’s research redefines the term dendrimer by confining structures to a rigid, flat, 2-dimensional architecture. Materials of this type can be designed to incorporate a variety of intriguing properties, such as high conjugation, pi-stacking, liquid crystal phases, directed electron transfer, and energy funneling with potential applications as materials for light harvesting and energy conversion.

Another research project seeks to construct organometallic dendrimers possessing redox-active units linked together in close proximity to provide electronic communication between the metal sites within the dendritic structure. Such materials have been challenging targets in organometallic chemistry and provide interesting electrical, redox, optical, and magnetic properties.

Students working on these projects receive experience in organic and macromolecular syntheses and characterization techniques, as well as experience in molecular engineering to address complex problems at the interface of the sciences.

UNT Chem. Dept.