NSF-Europe: Materials for Electrochemical Luminescent Devices

这是德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校和意大利博洛尼亚Degli Studi Di Bologna大学Dipartimento Di Chimica G. Ciamician的研究人员之间的合作项目。该项目及其意大利同行专注于合成和（光谱）电化学表征显示电化学诱导发光的新型化合物。研究的主要化合物是Ru（联吡啶）（三联吡啶）络合衍生物。与意大利研究小组合作的一个附加价值是有可能将研究扩展到其他ru络合物衍生物，例如，使用取代联吡啶和菲罗啉，这可以提供具有更高量子效率和更长的工作寿命的材料。利用各种反离子也可能是有用的，从与ClO4 -和BF4 -相比，OH-具有更高的迁移率，到非常大的离子，其大小将有效地阻碍离子传输（例如，对十二烷基苯磺酸盐）。后一种离子的使用有助于阐明离子迁移率的作用和发光器件中其他电荷注入机制的可能性。溶液中的分子表征将通过两种不同的电化学发光探测器（一种安装PMT相机，另一种安装CCD相机）和一个干燥箱在受控条件下制备溶液。在对系统的特性（量子效率，耐用性）进行评估后，这些将与“标准”发光系统进行比较，以判断这些新分子的相对质量和定量效率。基于这些分子体系的固态发光器件（oled）的制备是该项目的主要目标。因此，将努力寻找合适的条件，在这种条件下，这些物质可以附着在表面，主要是氧化铟锡（ITO），形成有用的薄层。将使用自旋镀膜、气相沉积和电化学沉积等技术。还将研究材料纯度和结构对产品性能的影响。此外，扫描探针显微镜将用于研究这些薄膜。基于调谐叉的扫描隧道显微镜的初步实验已经证明能够同时产生分子薄膜的光发射，电流和地形图像。这种信息丰富的新技术可以很容易地应用于这些新材料的研究。该项目致力于与具有技术相关性的电子/光子材料相关的基础研究问题。该项目的一个重要特点是非常重视教育，强调研究和教育的整合，以及提供科学和教育效益的国际合作。这种互动的一个重要组成部分将是长时间的学生交换。本项目由美国国家科学基金会材料研究部和国际办公室（西欧）共同资助，作为美国国家科学基金会与欧洲材料研究合作项目（NSF 02-135）。这个项目是与意大利博洛尼亚大学合作进行的。

This is a collaborative project between researchers at the University of Texas, Austin and at Dipartimento Di Chimica G. Ciamician, Universita Degli Studi Di Bologna, Italy. This project and its Italian counterpart are focused on the synthesis and (spectro-) electrochemical characterization of new classes of compounds that display electrochemically induced luminescence. The primary compounds that are the object of study are Ru(bipyridine)(terpyridine) complex derivatives. An added value of the collaboration with the research group in Italy is the possibility of extending the study to other Ru-complex derivatives, e.g., using substituted bipyridines and phenanthrolines, which could provide materials with increased quantum efficiencies and improved operating lifetimes. It could also be useful to utilize various counterions ranging from OH- that has higher mobility, compared to ClO4 - and BF4 -, to very big ions whose size will effectively hinder ion transport (e.g., p-dodecylbenzenesulphonate). The use of latter ions could assist in elucidating the role of ion mobility and the possibility of other charge injection mechanisms for the light-emitting devices. Molecular characterization in solution will be done by two different electrochemical luminescence detector instruments (one mounting a PMT camera, the other a CCD camera) and a dry box to prepare the solutions under controlled conditions. After an evaluation of the characteristic properties of the system (quantum efficiency, durability) these will be compared to a 'standard' light emitting system to judge the relative quality and the quantitative efficiency of these new molecules. The preparation of solid-state light emitting devices (OLEDs) based on these molecular systems is a prime target of the project. Therefore, effort will be placed on the search for suitable conditions under which these substances can be attached to a surface, mainly indium tin oxide (ITO), to form useful thin layers. Techniques such as spin coating, vapor deposition, and electrochemical deposition will be used. A study on the effect of material purity and structure on the properties of the products will be also carried out. Additionally, scanning probe microscopy will be employed to investigate these films. Preliminary experiments with a tuning fork-based scanning tunneling microscope have demonstrated the ability to produce simultaneous light emission, current, and topographic images of molecular thin films. This new and information-rich technique can be readily employed in the study of these new materials.%%% The project addresses fundamental research issues associated with electronic/photonic materials having technological relevance. An important feature of the project is the strong emphasis on education, with emphasis on integration of research and education, and an international collaboration providing both scientific and educational benefits. An important component of this interaction will be exchange of students for extended periods of time. This NSF project is co-funded by the Division of Materials Research, and the International Office (Western Europe) as a Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between the NSF and Europe (NSF 02-135). This project is being carried out in collaboration with the Universita Degli Studi Di Bologna, Italy.