Seminar on the topic: Advanced Functional Materials: From Optoelectronic Properties to Energy and Biomedical Applications

At 2:00 PM on April 9, 2026, the IAST Institute will hold a seminar session at the Meeting Room, 5th Floor, Library - Tan Hung Office and 3rd Floor, Institute of IAST - Hanoi Office - 13 Hang Bot Alley, O Cho Dua Ward, Hanoi City, with the following details:

1/ Dr. Nguyen Quang Trung will present on the topic: The potential of transition metal complexes as optically functional materials.
Abstract: Studies on the structural and functional characteristics of transition metal complexes were first introduced in Werner's theory of coordination compounds more than a century ago. Properties such as electromagnetic absorption, emission, and redox, as well as their configuration and bonding patterns, can be tuned by selecting metal centers and ligands. To date, transition metal complexes can be considered as optically functional materials and have numerous applications in fields such as chemistry, biology, medicine, materials science, and catalysis. In particular, transition metal complexes with optically functional and redox properties have significant potential for use as photosensitive materials in solar cell systems, photocatalysis, and OLED systems. This report will present optically functional materials developed based on transition metal complexes. Specifically, it will introduce and discuss the optical properties and applications of color-changing complexes to understand their nature and how scientists can design and fabricate them for solar energy systems, water electrolysis photocatalysis, and CO2 removal. Finally, we will introduce the use of optically functional complexes as emissive materials in OLED systems to illustrate how these molecules emit light energy. The scope of this report is limited to molecular transition metal complexes and related materials and does not cover coordination polymers and photofunctional MOFs.

2/ Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Ngoc Ha reported on the topic: Photonic properties of Er-doped crystalline silicon

Abstract: During the last years, a remarkable research effort has been made to understand the physical properties of Si:Er material, as it is considered to be a promising approach towards improving the optical properties of crystalline Si. Impressive amount of experimental data and theoretical results have been gathered, and many fundamental questions pertaining to this system have been satisfactorily answered. However, important problems remain. The most prominent of these are the thermal quenching of emission and the low optical activity of the Er dopants. These preclude the application of Si:Er for the development of practical devices. In this presentation, I will summarize the most important results of that research. Detailed description of the properties of Si/Si:Er multinanolayer structures, where preferential formation of a particular type of Er-related optical center has been realized. This in many aspects represents the most advanced form of Er-doped crystalline Si with prospects for applications in Si photonics, will be presented and discussed as a future research for Si:Er photonics applications.

3/ Dr. Truong Ngoc Hung reported on the topic: New chalcone-zerumbone hybrids: synthesis, in vitro anticancer activity and molecular docking study
Abstract: Chalcones and zerumbone share a common structural feature: an α,β-unsaturated ketone group, which is recognized as the key determinant of their anticancer activity. For the purpose of combining their promising anticancer properties, eight new chalcone-zerumbone hybrids were successfully designed and prepared via a convenient O-alkylation reaction between 4ʹ-hydroxychalcones and 7-bromozerumbone in DMF using K2CO3 as a catalyst at room temperature for 18 hours. As expected, all obtained chalcone hybrids with zerumbone demonstrated significantly more potent cytotoxicity than their precursors, zerumbone and 4ʹ-hydroxychalcones, against two human cancer cell lines, Hep-G2 and MCF-7, with IC50 values ​​ranging from 1.58 to 9.27 µM. Among eight prepared hybrids, 15e has the strongest activity against Hep-G2 and MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 values ​​of 1.68 and 1.58 µM, respectively. Notably, hybrids 15b, 15c, 15g, and 15h showed good selectivity against tested cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ​​in normal Vero cells approximately 2-5 fold higher than those in cancer cells. Molecular docking results also support the findings from the experimental data.

4/ MSc. Nguyen Thi Huyen reported on the topic: Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using CTAB and Ascorbic Acid

Abstract: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be synthesized using a surfactant-assisted method involving cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and ascorbic acid (AA). In this approach, CTAB acts as a stabilizing and shape-directing agent, while AA serves as a mild reducing agent in aqueous solution. By adjusting experimental parameters such as the concentration of CTAB, the amount of AA, and the seed-mediated growth conditions, the size and morphology of AuNPs can be effectively controlled. Under specific conditions, anisotropic structures such as nanorods, nanotriangles can be obtained, rather than predominantly spherical particles. The morphology of AuNPs plays a crucial role in determining their optical properties, particularly surface plasmon resonance. These tunable properties make AuNPs highly promising for applications in sensing, catalysis, and biomedical fields.