Collaborative Research: Direct In-plane Formation of Large Organic Crystals for Active Nanostructured Devices

摘要：本研究的目的是结合材料科学、流体力学和电气工程的专业知识，(1)实现一种直接在大面积衬底上生长毫米级有机晶体的新方法，(2)将这种晶体用于有源纳米结构光电子学。该方法采用一步法，非晶态有机薄膜在室温下暴露于溶剂蒸汽中结晶。初步调查导致发现了细长的面内晶体，其大小是之前报道的任何晶体的100倍以上，跨越整个衬底的长度(长达1厘米)。大尺寸的单晶将首次使各种高性能有机电子和光学器件的制造成为可能。实现这一计划的目标将首次允许有机晶体与现有的光电子器件相结合，并以这种方式使全新技术的开发成为可能。所提出的理论模型将有助于将晶体生长技术合理地扩展到广泛的有机材料，使其能够对其电子、光学和结构性质进行基础研究。北达科他州立大学将材料科学和纳米技术作为优先研究领域，并计划在全校范围内建立跨学科的BS/MS/PhD项目。拟议的研究将促进这一教育计划的启动和发展。此外，南洋理工大学和麻省理工学院在材料科学方面拥有一流的课程，建立关系将有利于南洋理工大学在这一研究和教育领域站稳脚跟。

Abstract:The objective of this research is to combine expertise in materials science, fluid dynamics, and electrical engineering to (1) implement a new method for growth of millimeter-scale organic crystals directly on a large-area substrate and (2) utilize the crystals in active nanostructured optoelectronics. The approach uses a single-step process in which amorphous organic thin films crystallize during exposure to solvent vapor at room temperature. Preliminary investigations led to the discovery of elongated in-plane crystals that are more than 100 times larger than any previously reported, spanning the length of an entire substrate (up to 1 cm long). The large size of the single crystals will for the first time enable fabrication of a variety of high-performance organic electronic and optical devices. Achieving the targeted goals of this program would for the first time allow integration of organic crystals with existing optoelectronic devices and in such a way enable the development of entirely new technologies. The proposed theoretical modeling will facilitate rational extension of the crystal growth technique to a broad range of organic materials, enabling fundamental investigations of their electronic, optical and structural properties. North Dakota State University has targeted Materials Science and Nanotechnology as priority research areas, with plans to establish a campus-wide interdisciplinary BS/MS/PhD program. The proposed research will facilitate initiation and stimulate growth of this educational program. In addition, the establishment of a relationship between NDSU and MIT, which has top-ranking programs in Materials Science, will benefit NDSU as it establishes itself in this research and educational arena.