EAGER/RUI: Vertically Aligned Bulk Heterojunctions by Combining Screen Printing and Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Processing

这一探索性研究（EAGER）的早期概念资助将提供资金，以评估通过结合丝网印刷和溶性液晶加工生产垂直排列的大块异质结的可行性。提出的研究包括与液晶打印相关的三个关键方面。首先，在无机纳米线上化学接枝共轭聚合物，合成新型核壳杂化纳米线。所得到的棒状混合物的溶变液晶行为将随浓度、溶剂和温度的变化而变化。其次，将进行流变试验，以优化液晶油墨的配方，以便在丝网印刷过程中适当对准。特别是，对可印刷纳米线油墨的粘度、触变性和粘弹性的研究将指导丝网印刷的进一步发展，以实现高通量生产。第三，将以良好的控制方式开发用于生产垂直排列的液晶油墨块状异质结的丝网印刷工艺。建立加工-结构-性能关系，优化材料性能。如果成功，这项研究的结果将导致创造一个新的范例，这将对太阳能装置的生产产生深远的影响。垂直排列的体异质结是高效混合光伏电池所需的理想形态和结构。本研究开发的液晶打印新方法对于大规模、高性价比、高性能聚合物基混合光伏电池的制造具有重要意义，这将彻底改变可再生能源的产生。对加工-结构-性能相关性的可靠分析将为新型多功能纳米材料的优化提供基础，这些纳米材料可用于各种能量产生和转换系统。这个跨学科奖项对纳米材料、液晶、聚合物、有机电子、涂料和平面印刷等领域做出了贡献。

This EArly-concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) award provides funding to evaluate the feasibility of producing vertically aligned bulk heterojunctions by combining screen-printing and lyotropic liquid crystal processing. The proposed research includes three key aspects related to this liquid crystalline printing. First, novel core-shell hybrid nanowires will be synthesized by chemically grafting conjugated polymers onto inorganic nanowires. Lyotropic liquid crystalline behaviors of the resulting rod-like hybrids will be determined with variations of concentration, solvent and temperature. Second, rheological tests will be performed to optimize formulation of liquid crystalline ink for appropriate alignment during the screen-printing process. In particular, studies on viscosity, thixotropy and viscoelasticity of printable nanowire ink will guide further development of screen-printing for high throughput production. Third, processes of screen-printing for producing vertically aligned bulk heterojunctions of liquid crystal ink will be developed in a well-controlled manner. The processing-structure-property correlations will be established to optimize the materials properties. If successful, the results of this research will lead to the creation of a new paradigm, which will have a profound impact on the production of solar energy devices. The vertically aligned bulk heterojunction is an ideal morphology and structure required for high efficiency hybrid photovoltaic cells. The new approach of the liquid crystalline printing developed in this research will be of significant importance for the manufacture of large-scale, cost-effective, high-performance polymer-based hybrid photovoltaic cells that would revolutionize renewable energy generation. A reliable analysis of the processing-structure-property correlations will provide a foundation for the optimization of new multifunctional nanomaterials that can be utilized in various energy generation and conversion systems. This interdisciplinary award makes contributions to the fields of nanomaterials, liquid crystals, polymers, organic electronics, coatings, and graphic printing.