Patterned Conjugated Polymeric Materials: Synthesis, Processing and Devices

技术综述：这项研究的基本目标是详细了解图案化共轭材料的合成和表征以及在先进有机电子器件中的应用。毫无疑问，有机电子材料本身引起了人们的极大兴趣，整个行业都是围绕这种材料创造的：所考虑的技术应用包括但不限于OLED/PLED显示器、有机晶体管、低成本器件和用于能量转换的有机材料。该提案中概述的研究将回答有关新型图案化共轭半导体聚合物层的问题。该项目需要详细研究半导体层在各种衬底上的化学附着及其在制造操作装置中的用途。这项拟议研究的长期影响应该是对一类新材料的新洞察，以及易于制造的器件的潜力，其分辨率是目前任何已知方法所无法比拟的。该项目的研究目标和成果：(1)半导体聚合物的图案化接枝刷层的合成和表征；(2)了解作为分子结构和分子量函数的接枝半导体刷层的形态；(3)开发用于在各种衬底上制造有源器件结构的工具箱；以及(4)开发新的器件测试结构，该结构将允许探测图案化半导体聚合物层的电和光学性能。我们的目标将通过执行三个耦合的子项目来实现：(1)我们将利用我们在单体和聚合物合成方面的技能来创造和研究新型半导体聚合物，并生成由接枝的半导体聚合物层或刷子修饰的表面；(2)将开发先进的图案化技术，从而实现这些半导体层的前所未有的精确放置，以优化性能；以及(3)我们将结合我们在合成和加工方面的专业知识，制造和测试有机电子设备。非技术概述：有机电子材料本身引起了人们的极大兴趣，整个行业都是围绕有机电子材料创造的：技术应用包括但不限于先进的显示设备、低成本/低功率计算，以及用于太阳能发电的新材料。这项研究的基本目的是详细了解一类新型的聚合物有机电子材料？具体地说，它们是如何制造的，以及如何使用它们来制造更好、更便宜的设备，这些设备可能会影响工业、经济和我们的能源基础设施。如果成功，新一代材料和设备将被启用，并将为美国公司和科学家创造新的机会来开发这些新技术。我们的材料设计和合成将增加马萨诸塞大学令人兴奋的聚合物研究组合，并有助于促进马萨诸塞大学和微电子行业(设备供应商、材料供应商和纳米光刻的最终用户)之间的研究互动。这项研究的另一个主要影响是对学生的教育和培训，以帮助保持美国在纳米技术新领域的竞争力。这些学生将接受新技术培训，不仅学习传统的化学合成和先进的表征技术，还将学习如何将这些材料整合到实际的工业过程开发中。PI将生成新的课程，并使用该项目生成的信息修改现有课程。资金将使国际和平协会能够探索当地代表不足的少数族裔儿童(马萨诸塞州斯普林菲尔德)的教育机会，这项提案中开发的部分研究将用于通过周末讲习班吸引年幼(8-14岁)儿童的头脑和想象力。最后，将形成一个由新英格兰代表不足的聚合物/材料科学家和工程师组成的网络。它的目的是让国际学生联合会和其他人利用该网络将学生和专业人员聚集在一起，在教育和发展方面找到共同的目标。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The fundamental objective of this research is to gain a detailed understanding of patterned conjugated materials in terms of their synthesis and characterization and application to advanced organic electronic devices. There can be no question that organic electronic materials themselves are of great interest with whole industries being created around such materials: technical applications in mind include, but are not limited to, OLED/PLED displays, organic transistors, low-cost devices, and organic materials for energy conversion. The studies outlined in this proposal will answer questions about new patterned conjugated semiconductor polymer layers. This project entails the detailed study of the chemical attachment of semiconducting layers to various substrates and their use to make operating devices. The long-term impact of the proposed research should be new insight into a new class of materials and the potential of easily fabricated devices with resolution unmatched by any currently known methods. The project research goals and outcomes: are; (1) the synthesis and characterization of patterned grafted brush layers of semiconducting polymers.; (2) an understanding of the morphology of grafted semiconducting brush layers as a function of molecular structure and molecular weight; (3) the development of a toolbox for the fabrication of active device structures on a variety of substrates; and (4) development of new device test structures that will allow the probing of electrical and optical properties of patterned semiconducting polymer layers. Our goals will be accomplished by the execution of three coupled subprojects: (1) we will exploit our skills in monomer and polymer synthesis to create and study new semiconducting polymers and generate surfaces modified by grafted semiconducting polymer layers or brushes.; (2) advanced patterning techniques will be developed allowing the unprecedented precise placement of these semiconducting layers for optimization of performance; and (3) we will combine our expertise in synthesis and processing to fabricate and test organic electronic devices. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Organic electronic materials themselves are of great interest with whole industries being created around such materials: technical applications in mind include, but are not limited to, advanced display devices, lost cost/ low power computing, and new materials for solar energy generation. The fundamental objective of this research is to gain a detailed understanding of a new class of polymeric organic electronic materials ? specifically how they are made and how can they be used to make better and less expensive devices potentially impacting industry, the economy, and our energy infrastructure. If successful, a new generation of materials and devices will be enabled and new opportunities for US companies and scientist to exploit these new technologies will be created. Our materials design and synthesis will add to the portfolio of exciting polymer research at the University of Massachusetts, and help facilitate research interactions between the University of Massachusetts and the microelectronics industry (equipment suppliers, materials suppliers, and end-users of nanolithography). Education of students and training them to help maintain US competitiveness in new areas of nanotechnology is another major impact of the study. These students will be trained in new techniques and learn not only traditional chemical synthesis and advanced characterization techniques, but also how these materials are integrated into actual industrial process development. The PI will generate new curricula and modify existing courses with information generated by this project. Funding will allow the PI to explore educational opportunities for local underrepresented minority children (Springfield, MA area) and part of the research developed in this proposal will be used to engage the minds and imaginations of young (8-14) children through weekend workshops. Finally, a network of New England Underrepresented Polymer/Material Scientists and Engineers will be formed. It is the intention that the network will be used by the PI and others to bring together students and professionals to find common goals in education and development.