Selenium and tellurium-based organic materials

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This proposal describes our research program in the creation of novel materials that contain selenium and tellurium with multiple applications including solar energy. The overarching goal is to transform high carbon-content electronic materials into better semiconductors through the judicious incorporation of metal and semimetal atoms. I propose a suite of new tellurium-containing materials that include polymers, graphene, and molecular frameworks. We will examine these systems as solids and as electronic devices (solar cells and transistors). Another part of this program is aimed at unraveling the phase behavior of selenium-containing block copolymers. Our goals are to synthesize a variety of compositions and develop a deep understanding of how polymer chain length, structure, and composition relate to solid-state properties. In parallel new polymer motifs will be synthesized including circular and bottlebrush-type polymers that contain selenium in their structure. In a third research thrust, I propose to build a program on singlet fission (SF). SF is a process that is unique to organic matter, where the absorption of a photon leads to the generation of two charge carriers. This has the potential to greatly improve solar cell efficiency. Whereas SF in small molecules has been known since the 1960s, polymers would be much more useful for eventual implementation as devices. For this project we will prepare new polymers that contain the structural motifs of SF small-molecules. We will use our fabrication facility to develop solar cells that use these polymers to operate by the SF mechanism. The project will have a long-term impact in energy and materials and will train students in multidisciplinary research for employment in industry, academia and government. *****************************