EAGER: Chemical Design for Controlling Electronic Properties of Organic Semiconductors and Molecules via Edge-On Gating

技术概述：本项目由材料研究部固态与材料化学和电子与光子材料项目支持，旨在研究半导体分子和材料的电子特性的边对化学门控效应。提出的分子系统类似于场效应晶体管，但允许使用超快光谱技术来研究门控效应。提出了广泛的合成努力，以制备一系列具有不同门控基团的新化合物。电子传递速率常数（对应电导）将与线性自由能哈米特参数相关。如果这种合成方法被证明是可行的，那么基于化学边对门控概念的各种分子材料将被开发出来。这项研究成果将影响新型固态材料和分子电子学的设计和发展。有可能经过短期的研究，这个EAGER项目将为扩展到全面的研究工作找到坚实的基础。非技术总结：微电子学中的摩尔定律正迅速接近其极限。这个EAGER项目旨在开发和研究分子尺度的场效应晶体管，这是尽可能小的电子设备。PI将研究一个控制单分子电荷输运的新概念，即边对门控效应。拟议的工作涉及合成努力，以创建原型分子，允许门控和光谱研究，以确定电子转移速率常数（对应于电导）。该项目将为控制有机半导体材料中的电荷输运过程提供基础知识，并导致新的半导体分子、材料和新型分子晶体管的发展。它还将为这些材料的固态组装和结构/性能关系提供新的视角。新材料的产生将对可持续能源和电子工业产生影响。它为学生提供了广泛的研究和教育机会，他们将做好准备，成为有机/材料化学和有机电子材料领域的未来领导者。这项EAGER提案将通过芝加哥大学领导力联盟的夏季研究早期识别计划（SR-EIP）资助两名研究生和两名本科生暑期研究学生，该计划针对代表性不足的群体。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This EAGER project, supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry and Electronic and Photonic Materials Programs in the Division of Materials Research, is aimed at investigating the edge-on chemical gating effect on electronic properties of semiconducting molecules and materials. The molecular system proposed resembles a field effect transistor, but allows using ultrafast spectroscopic techniques to investigate the gating effect. Extensive synthetic efforts are proposed to prepare a series of new compounds with different gating moieties. Electron transfer rate constants (corresponding to conductance) will be correlated with linear free energy Hammett parameters. If the synthetic approach is proved feasible, numerous kinds of molecular materials will be developed based on the chemically edge-on gating concept. This research effort will impact the design and development of new solid state materials and molecular electronics. It is possible that after a short period of research, this EAGER project will find firm footing for expanding into a full scale research effort.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:Moore's law in microelectronics is rapidly approaching its limitation. This EAGER project is aimed at developing and investigating molecular-scale field effect transistors, the smallest possible electronic devices. The PI will investigate a new concept to control charge transport in single molecules, namely an edge-on gating effect. The proposed work involves synthetic efforts to create prototype molecules that allow gating-control and spectroscopic studies to determine electron transfer rate constants (corresponding to conductance). This project will provide basic knowledge for controlling the charge transport process in organic semiconducting materials and lead to development of new semiconducting molecules, materials and new molecular transistors. It will also provide a new perspective on solid state assembly and structure/property relationships in these materials. New materials generated will have impact on sustainable energy and electronics industries. It offers a broad spectrum of research and educational opportunities for students who will be well prepared to be future leaders in the area of organic/material chemistry and organic electronic materials. This EAGER proposal will financially support 2 graduate students and involve 2 undergraduate summer research students through the University of Chicago's Leadership Alliance's Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) targeting underrepresented groups.