Organic near-infrared functional materials: synthesis, property and potential applications

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Organic materials are being used or explored for use in optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diode, liquid-crystal display and photovoltaic device that are mainly operated and best performed in the visible region (ca., 400-800 nm). On the other hand, organic compounds and polymers that can harvest and produce light in the near-infrared (NIR) region (ca., 800-2000 nm) are emerging as a new class of optoelectronic materials. This is mainly because of their unique properties and foreseeable applications in telecommunications (1300-1600 nm), thermal imaging (>1500 nm), biological imaging (800-1100 nm), and full-spectrum solar cells (400-800 nm and 800-2000 nm).    Our overall objectives are to understand the underlying relationships between molecular structures, properties and device performance and to develop an emerging class of organic NIR materials for both fundamental studies and practical uses. The proposed research focuses on the synthesis and study of novel organic and polymeric materials with unique tunable electrochromic, photoluminescent, electroluminescent, thermochromic, piezochromic, photovoltaic, and chiroptical switching properties in the NIR spectral region (800-2000 nm). Changes in absorbing, fluorescent and chiroptical properties induced by external stimuli (e.g., light, heat, pressure or molecule) will be studied. These organic NIR materials will be explored to develop new proof-concept devices, such as NIR reflectors, NIR light-emitting diodes, and NIR photodetectors, molecular memory devices, optical switches, and bio/chemo-sensors.    The research program is designed to nurture an appreciation for modern science and technology, develop innovative training modules in emerging organic materials, and to attract students into the emerging field of organic/polymeric electronics and photonics. The students will be trained to gain knowledge in advanced synthetic chemistry, and have hands-on experience in material processing, device fabrication and testing.