Manufacturing Organic-Inorganic Nanoparticle Composites with Nanoscale Precision via Directed Self-Assembly
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
New optoelectronically and photonically active materials - such as organic semiconductors and nanoparticles - are bringing to market new technologies and products such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and new phosphors (as used in QD TVs and LED white lighting). Our understanding of the fundamental properties of these materials as well as the rate of design of new materials is accelerating. Of particular interest is a new generation of systems combining organic semiconductors with inorganic nanoparticles. These hybrid blends or nanocomposites hold great promise as a platform technology for high-efficiency low-cost solar energy harvesting devices, photodetectors and novel LEDs for displays, communications and chemical diagnostics.
A scalable manufacturing process for these materials will rely on solution processing of an ink comprising the organic semiconductor, the nanoparticles and a suitable solvent to produce a functional film or coating. However, the components of these organic-nanoparticle blends have a strong tendency to aggregate and phase separate during solution processing, due to a mismatch of their size, shape and surface energies1. This severely compromises device performance and to date has ruled out the manufacture of these systems via large-area-compatible solution manufacturing techniques such as bar-coating, slot-die coating or inkjet printing. Our proposed methodology will overcome these problems, demonstrating routes by which the two active components spontaneously self-assemble during deposition and subsequent solvent evaporation to yield a nanocomposite with a precise morphology and structure over the hierarchy of length scales described above. Thus, our proposal directly tackles the challenge of achieving the precision manufacture at scale of functional nanocomposites. We seek to develop new molecular engineering methodologies providing a toolkit of manufacturing approaches enabling precise control over a hierarchy of length scales. This will create manufacturing routes a new generation of optoelectronically and photonically active coatings and films based on organic-nanoparticle blends, accelerating the translation of fast-moving developments in the physics and chemistry of these hybrid materials into economic benefit for the UK and benefits to society world-wide.
A scalable manufacturing process for these materials will rely on solution processing of an ink comprising the organic semiconductor, the nanoparticles and a suitable solvent to produce a functional film or coating. However, the components of these organic-nanoparticle blends have a strong tendency to aggregate and phase separate during solution processing, due to a mismatch of their size, shape and surface energies1. This severely compromises device performance and to date has ruled out the manufacture of these systems via large-area-compatible solution manufacturing techniques such as bar-coating, slot-die coating or inkjet printing. Our proposed methodology will overcome these problems, demonstrating routes by which the two active components spontaneously self-assemble during deposition and subsequent solvent evaporation to yield a nanocomposite with a precise morphology and structure over the hierarchy of length scales described above. Thus, our proposal directly tackles the challenge of achieving the precision manufacture at scale of functional nanocomposites. We seek to develop new molecular engineering methodologies providing a toolkit of manufacturing approaches enabling precise control over a hierarchy of length scales. This will create manufacturing routes a new generation of optoelectronically and photonically active coatings and films based on organic-nanoparticle blends, accelerating the translation of fast-moving developments in the physics and chemistry of these hybrid materials into economic benefit for the UK and benefits to society world-wide.
Publications
Fallon K
(2022)
Quantitative Singlet Fission in Solution-Processable Dithienohexatrienes
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Frey L
(2023)
Building Blocks and COFs Formed in Concert -Three-Component Synthesis of Pyrene-Fused Azaacene Covalent Organic Framework in the Bulk and as Films
in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Gray V
(2022)
Triplet transfer from PbS quantum dots to tetracene ligands: is faster always better?
in Journal of materials chemistry. C
Millington O
(2023)
Synthesis and intramolecular singlet fission properties of ortho -phenylene linked oligomers of diphenylhexatriene
in Chemical Science
Millington O
(2023)
Soluble Diphenylhexatriene Dimers for Intramolecular Singlet Fission with High Triplet Energy.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Description | NSG Pilkington |
Organisation | Pilkington Glass |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We have an ongoing Innovate UK grant with two industrial partners Eight19 and NSG Pilkington , PINSTRIPE - PHOTON INCREASE BY SPLITTING TO REALISE IMPROVED PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFICIENCY. This is a 2 year grant helping to commercialise out singlet fission technology to improve conventional Si solar cells. We bring detailed photophysics, optoelectronics and device fabrication knowledge to the project. |
Collaborator Contribution | NSG Pilkington bring knowledge of manufacture of solar grade glass, encapsulants, glass processing, deposition of films on glass, environmental leaching tests |
Impact | Ongoing 2 year (11/2017-10/2019) Innovate UK project, PINSTRIPE - PHOTON INCREASE BY SPLITTING TO REALISE IMPROVED PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFICIENCY |
Start Year | 2017 |
Company Name | CAMBRIDGE PHOTON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED |
Description | Cambridge Photon Technology provides the simplest, lowest cost way to a significant increase in power from solar photovoltaic modules. Incorporated within a module, our Photon Multiplier Film uses advanced nanotechnology to split each incoming blue and green photon into two infra-red photons. This allows the silicon cell to capture energy that would otherwise be lost, and substantially increases its power output. |
Year Established | 2019 |
Impact | RSC Emerging Technologies Prize Deep Tech Pioneers Award- Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge Cambridge Photon Technology have been named one of six national finalists in the 2019 Shell Springboard competition. |
Website | https://www.cambridgephoton.com/ |