CAREER: Electron Acceptor Materials Based on Cyclopenta-fused Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

在这项由化学系高分子、超分子和纳米化学项目资助的职业奖中，南伊利诺伊大学的Kyle N.Plunkett教授正在开发基于环戊烷-稠合多环芳烃(CP-PAHs)的新型电子接受材料。这项研究涉及开发合成含有CP-PAH亚基的小分子和/或聚合物的一般策略，并对其性质进行表征。合成的聚合物正作为潜在的n型材料在有机场效应晶体管和有机光伏中进行测试。一个新的教育项目正在通过与学生的非传统互动来解决有机化学课堂上的恐惧和焦虑，一个外展项目正在允许赫林高中的一名教师和他的学生参与这一研究项目。这项工作的更广泛影响包括新的清洁能源技术的潜在社会效益和通过可能的商业应用产生的经济影响。此外，当地农贸市场的公众意识展示正在向南伊利诺伊州社区传达这项研究的效用。导电的碳基(有机)分子为实现高效、负担得起和广泛可用的电子和光学设备提供了巨大的希望。该项目致力于开发能够有效稳定负电荷的新型有机分子和材料。实现目标结构不仅是电子导电有机材料合理设计的重大成果，而且有助于解决能量转换技术中的重要问题。该项目还为高中生、本科生和研究生提供了进行化学研究的机会，并向同事和公众展示他们的发现。

In this CAREER Award funded by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Kyle N. Plunkett of Southern Illinois University is developing new electron accepting materials based on cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAHs). The research involves the development of general strategies to synthesize small-molecules and/or polymers that incorporate CP-PAH subunits and the characterization of their properties. The resulting polymers are being tested as potential n-type materials in organic field effect transistors and organic photovoltaics. A new educational program is addressing fears and anxiety in the organic chemistry classroom through non-traditional interactions with students, and an outreach program is allowing a teacher and his students from Herrin High School to participate in this research project. The broader impacts of this work include the potential societal benefits of new clean energy technologies and economic impact through possible commercial applications. Furthermore, public awareness demonstrations at a local farmers market are communicating the utility of this research to the Southern Illinois community.Electrically conducting carbon-based (organic) molecules hold enormous promise for realizing highly efficient, affordable, and broadly available electronic and optical devices. This project focuses on the development of new organic molecules and materials that can efficiently stabilize a negative charge. Realizing the targeted structures is not only a significant accomplishment in the rational design of electronically conducting organic materials but also contributes to solving important problems in energy conversion technology. The project also provides opportunities to high school, undergraduate and graduate students to perform chemical research and present their findings to colleagues and the general public.