Collaborative Research: Direct In-plane Formation of Large Organic Crystals for Active Nanostructured Devices

摘要：本研究的目的是结合材料科学、流体动力学和电气工程方面的专业知识：(1)实现在大面积衬底上直接生长毫米级有机晶体的新方法；(2)将这些晶体用于有源纳米结构光电子学。该方法采用单步工艺，其中非晶有机薄膜在室温下暴露于溶剂蒸气中结晶。初步研究发现了细长的平面内晶体，比之前报道的任何晶体都大100多倍，跨越整个衬底的长度（长达1厘米）。大尺寸的单晶将首次使制造各种高性能有机电子和光学器件成为可能。实现该计划的目标将首次允许有机晶体与现有光电器件的集成，并以这种方式使全新技术的发展成为可能。提出的理论模型将促进晶体生长技术的合理扩展到广泛的有机材料，使其电子，光学和结构性质的基础研究成为可能。北达科他州立大学将材料科学和纳米技术作为优先研究领域，并计划在全校范围内建立跨学科的学士/硕士/博士课程。拟议的研究将促进启动和刺激这一教育计划的发展。此外，NDSU与拥有一流材料科学项目的麻省理工学院建立合作关系，将有利于NDSU在研究和教育领域建立自己的地位。

Abstract:The objective of this research is to combine expertise in materials science, fluid dynamics, and electrical engineering to (1) implement a new method for growth of millimeter-scale organic crystals directly on a large-area substrate and (2) utilize the crystals in active nanostructured optoelectronics. The approach uses a single-step process in which amorphous organic thin films crystallize during exposure to solvent vapor at room temperature. Preliminary investigations led to the discovery of elongated in-plane crystals that are more than 100 times larger than any previously reported, spanning the length of an entire substrate (up to 1 cm long). The large size of the single crystals will for the first time enable fabrication of a variety of high-performance organic electronic and optical devices. Achieving the targeted goals of this program would for the first time allow integration of organic crystals with existing optoelectronic devices and in such a way enable the development of entirely new technologies. The proposed theoretical modeling will facilitate rational extension of the crystal growth technique to a broad range of organic materials, enabling fundamental investigations of their electronic, optical and structural properties. North Dakota State University has targeted Materials Science and Nanotechnology as priority research areas, with plans to establish a campus-wide interdisciplinary BS/MS/PhD program. The proposed research will facilitate initiation and stimulate growth of this educational program. In addition, the establishment of a relationship between NDSU and MIT, which has top-ranking programs in Materials Science, will benefit NDSU as it establishes itself in this research and educational arena.