Controllable deposition and self-assembly of 2D-COFs

Two-dimensionalcovalent-organic frameworks (2D-COFs) are organic solid materials with an extended planar structure formed by molecular building blocks held together by strong covalent bonds. Due to their electrical conductivity properties, these organic materials are of potential interest for applications in optoelectronics, electrocatalysts and chemical sensors. The directionality and alignment of molecular domains over extended areas within these 2D-COF thin-films is particularly important for these applications as it determines the directional electrical conductivity of the final material. However, current methods for 2D-COF thin-film growth (e.g. solvothermal synthesis and solid-vapour phase growth) are intrinsically limited by a lack of flexibility and control over the directionality with which molecules are deposited, and then incorporated within a growing 2D-COF layer, thus hampering their directional electrical conductivity over large distances. The aim of this PhD project is to develop a novel methodology based on the programmable transport of liquid droplets for improving the directional self-assembly of 2D-COF precursor molecules into highly aligned 2D-COF monolayers over more standard methodologies. During the project, the PhD student will be primarily responsible for developing the methodology to deposit and self-assemble 2D-COFS on surfaces based on the contactless manipulation of liquid droplets containing the molecular precursors. The student will monitor the properties of the self-assembled monolayers relying on different characterisation techniques, including optical microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and light spectroscopy. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, this PhD project is well aligned with the EPSRC strategic priority themes of Physical Sciences, Manufacturing the Future and Energy as well as with research areas, such as Materials for energy applications, Manufacturing Technologies, Surface Science, and Complex Fluids and Rheology.