High Resolution Patterning of Optical and Electronic Polymeric Materials

技术摘要。为了在聚合物发光二极管(PLED)、光伏应用、光波导和聚合物半导体器件等应用中充分使用先进的聚合物材料，需要在精确限定的区域和图案中施加活性聚合物材料的新方法。将研究压印光刻与功能聚合物刷合成相结合的使用，以创造具有有用的光学和电子性能的新型图案化聚合物材料。我们将创建新的表面活性系链基团，以促进聚合物链与印迹图案聚合物层的附着。我们将通过XPS、IR和UV光谱来表征这些链结基团在我们的印迹表面的结合情况。我们将首先研究导致形成两种不同体系的聚合物刷子的催化反应，即聚荧烯和聚噻吩类。该项目的一个重要方面是研究这些新型缩聚毛刷的生长动力学和动力学，因为它们与以前研究的通过自由基聚合路线制备的聚合物毛刷有明显的不同。我们将对这些新型聚合物刷层的结构和形态有一个了解。将创建测试结构，以便于对这些材料的光学和电学特性进行表征。最后，我们将创建和测试包括PLED和聚合物晶体管在内的功能器件。这项研究的实施将使人们能够了解新型聚合物材料和图案化技术，从而促进纳米技术和先进设备应用的未来发展。该项目将培养有机合成、聚合物合成以及设备制造和表征方面的研究生。本科生还将参加REU的暑期补充课程，由研究生指导。国际儿童基金会还积极参与当地代表性不足的少数族裔儿童的教育机会，并将利用部分研究通过周末讲习班吸引年幼(8-14岁)儿童的头脑和想象力。小组中的研究生将被要求参加这些教育研讨会。非技术摘要。为了充分利用聚合物发光二极管(PLED)、光伏应用、光波导和聚合物半导体器件等新器件，需要在精确定义的区域和图案中应用活性聚合物材料的新方法。我们团队在纳米压印光刻领域开发了新的图案化技术。我们将研究由具有有用的光学和电学性质的半导体聚合物材料组成的新型图案化表面。这项研究的一个重要部分将是开发有助于将聚合物链附着到印记图案化聚合物层上的化学物质。我们将合成新的图案化表面，并对这些功能纳米材料进行表征。我们将了解这些新型聚合物刷层的基本性质。将创建测试结构，以便于对这些材料的光学和电学特性进行表征。最后，我们将创建和测试包括PLED和聚合物晶体管在内的功能器件。这项研究的实施将使人们能够了解新型聚合物材料和图案化技术，从而促进纳米技术和先进设备应用的未来发展。该项目将在有机合成、聚合物合成以及设备制造和表征方面培训研究生和本科生研究人员。国际儿童基金会还积极参与当地代表性不足的少数族裔儿童的教育机会，并将利用部分研究通过周末讲习班吸引年幼(8-14岁)儿童的头脑和想象力。小组中的研究生将被要求参加这些教育研讨会。

Technical Abstract. In order to fully enable the use of advanced polymeric materials in applications such as polymeric light emitting diodes (PLEDs), photovoltaics applications, optical waveguides and polymeric semiconductor devices, new methods for applying the active polymeric materials in precisely defined regions and patterns are needed. The use of imprint lithography, in combination with functional polymer brush synthesis, will be studied in order to create new patterned polymeric materials with useful optical and electronic properties. We will create new surface active tethering groups that will facilitate the attachment of polymer chains to imprinted patterned polymer layers. We will characterize the incorporation of these tethering groups into our imprinted surfaces by XPS, IR and UV spectroscopy. We will initially examine the catalytic reactions that lead to the formation of polymeric brushes of two different systems, polyfluorenes and polythiophenes. An important aspect of the project is to study the kinetics and dynamics of the growth of these new polycondensation brushes as they are distinctly different from previously studied polymer brushes made by radical polymerization routes. We will gain an understanding of the architecture and morphology of these new polymer brush layers. Test structures will be created in order to facilitate charcterization of the optical and electronic properties of these materials. Finally, we will create and test functioning devices including PLEDs and polymeric transistors. Execution of this research will enable the understanding of novel polymeric materials and patterning techniques enabling future developments in nanotechnology and advanced device applications. The project will train graduate students in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and device manufacture and characterization. Undergraduate students will also participate through an REU summer supplement, with mentoring by graduate students. The PI is also heavily involved in educational opportunities for local underrepresented minority children and will use part of the research to engage the minds and imaginations of young (8-14) children through weekend workshops. Graduate students in the group will be required to participate in these educational workshops. Non-Technical Abstract. In order to fully enable new devices such as polymeric light emitting diodes (PLEDs), photovoltaics applications, optical waveguides and polymeric semiconductor devices, new methods for applying the active polymeric materials in precisely defined regions and patterns are needed. Our group has developed new patterning techniques within a field known as nanoimprint lithography. We will study new patterned surfaces composed of semiconducting polymeric materials with useful optical and electronic properties. A significant par of the research will be the development of chemistries that facilitate the attachment of polymer chains to imprinted patterned polymer layers. We will synthesize new patterned surfaces and characterize these functional nanopatterned materials. We will gain an understanding of the basic nature of these new polymer brush layers. Test structures will be created in order to facilitate charcterization of the optical and electronic properties of these materials. Finally, we will create and test functioning devices including PLEDs and polymeric transistors. Execution of this research will enable the understanding of novel polymeric materials and patterning techniques enabling future developments in nanotechnology and advanced device applications. The project will train graduate students and undergraduate researchers in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and device manufacture and characterization. The PI is also heavily involved in educational opportunities for local underrepresented minority children and will use part of the research to engage the minds and imaginations of young (8-14) children through weekend workshops. Graduate students in the group will be required to participate in these educational workshops.