Guided self-assembly of organic semiconductors
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Organic semiconductors have left their mark on numerous applications, such as organic photovoltaics (OPV), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) and organic field-effect transistors (OFET). Moreover, despite steady performance increases, controlling the crystallisation behaviour of organic semiconductors remains challenging. This project focusses on the synthesis of organic semiconductors with permanent dipole moments and to subsequently control their crystallisation using a vapour-guided deposition. This novel deposition method encourages soft matter self-assembly to gain control over material patterning, alignment and resolution. Our approach will make it possible to study the crystallisation dynamics of organic semiconductors under non-equilibrium conditions. We will also be able to control the molecule alignment using an environmentally benign, contactless method to initiate crystallisation and pattern the organic semiconductors. Besides the numerous applications in plastic electronics, the research conducted as part of this project fits well within the EPSRC remit of new materials for energy applications, while at the same time providing new insights into the processing of polymer materials, and the related fluid dynamics.
Organisations
Publications
Degousée T
(2023)
One hour road to high-quality arrays of gold nanoparticles coated with organic ligands
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/R513143/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
2248056 | Studentship | EP/R513143/1 | 01/10/2019 | 23/04/2023 | Zach Edwards |
Description | In this award I have found a new controllable way of crystallising organic semiconductors using non-contact manipulation of binary droplets. The current method uses a binary droplet of water and dimethylformamide to dissolve the water-soluble organic semiconductors, the droplet is then moved using a noncontact vapour source where the Marangoni forces produced but this method allow for controllable growth of single crystals of the aforementioned semiconductors. Multiple single crystals are formed as the droplet moves and are deposited on the substrate at a critical mass and /or length allow for isolated crystals to be formed. |
Exploitation Route | Some of the ideas for future development would involve the single crystals being formed and deposited along two contacts to allow for high performing crystal organic semiconductors. Also, this isn't limited to semiconductors it could also be used for many different crystallisation applications where small singe crystals are required. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |