High Resolution Patterning of Optical and Electronic Polymeric Materials

技术文摘。为了使先进的聚合物材料在诸如聚合物发光二极管（led）、光伏应用、光波导和聚合物半导体器件等应用中充分发挥作用，需要在精确定义的区域和模式中应用活性聚合物材料的新方法。将研究压印光刻技术与功能聚合物刷合成技术的结合，以创造具有有用光学和电子性能的新型图案聚合物材料。我们将创造新的表面活性系带基团，以促进聚合物链附着在印迹图案聚合物层上。我们将通过XPS， IR和UV光谱来表征这些系结基团在印迹表面的结合。我们将首先研究导致形成两种不同体系聚合刷的催化反应，聚芴和聚噻吩。该项目的一个重要方面是研究这些新型缩聚刷的生长动力学和动力学，因为它们与以前研究的由自由基聚合途径制成的聚合物刷明显不同。我们将了解这些新的聚合物刷层的结构和形态。将创建测试结构，以促进这些材料的光学和电子特性的表征。最后，我们将创建和测试功能器件，包括led和聚合物晶体管。这项研究的实施将使人们能够理解新型聚合物材料和图案技术，从而促进纳米技术和先进设备应用的未来发展。该项目将培养有机合成、聚合物合成以及器件制造和表征方面的研究生。本科生也将通过REU的暑期补习班参加，并由研究生指导。PI还积极参与当地代表性不足的少数民族儿童的教育机会，并将利用部分研究成果通过周末讲习班吸引年幼（8-14岁）儿童的思想和想象力。该小组的研究生将被要求参加这些教育研讨会。非技术抽象。为了使诸如聚合物发光二极管（led）、光电应用、光波导和聚合物半导体器件等新器件完全成为可能，需要在精确定义的区域和模式中应用活性聚合物材料的新方法。我们的团队在一个被称为纳米压印光刻的领域中开发了新的图案技术。我们将研究具有有用的光学和电子特性的半导体聚合物材料组成的新型图案表面。这项研究的一个重要部分将是开发化学物质，促进聚合物链附着到印迹图案聚合物层上。我们将合成新的图案表面，并对这些功能纳米图案材料进行表征。我们将获得这些新的聚合物刷层的基本性质的理解。将创建测试结构，以促进这些材料的光学和电子特性的表征。最后，我们将创建和测试功能器件，包括led和聚合物晶体管。这项研究的实施将使人们能够理解新型聚合物材料和图案技术，从而促进纳米技术和先进设备应用的未来发展。该项目将培养有机合成、聚合物合成以及器件制造和表征方面的研究生和本科生研究人员。PI还积极参与当地代表性不足的少数民族儿童的教育机会，并将利用部分研究成果通过周末讲习班吸引年幼（8-14岁）儿童的思想和想象力。该小组的研究生将被要求参加这些教育研讨会。

Technical Abstract. In order to fully enable the use of advanced polymeric materials in applications such as polymeric light emitting diodes (PLEDs), photovoltaics applications, optical waveguides and polymeric semiconductor devices, new methods for applying the active polymeric materials in precisely defined regions and patterns are needed. The use of imprint lithography, in combination with functional polymer brush synthesis, will be studied in order to create new patterned polymeric materials with useful optical and electronic properties. We will create new surface active tethering groups that will facilitate the attachment of polymer chains to imprinted patterned polymer layers. We will characterize the incorporation of these tethering groups into our imprinted surfaces by XPS, IR and UV spectroscopy. We will initially examine the catalytic reactions that lead to the formation of polymeric brushes of two different systems, polyfluorenes and polythiophenes. An important aspect of the project is to study the kinetics and dynamics of the growth of these new polycondensation brushes as they are distinctly different from previously studied polymer brushes made by radical polymerization routes. We will gain an understanding of the architecture and morphology of these new polymer brush layers. Test structures will be created in order to facilitate charcterization of the optical and electronic properties of these materials. Finally, we will create and test functioning devices including PLEDs and polymeric transistors. Execution of this research will enable the understanding of novel polymeric materials and patterning techniques enabling future developments in nanotechnology and advanced device applications. The project will train graduate students in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and device manufacture and characterization. Undergraduate students will also participate through an REU summer supplement, with mentoring by graduate students. The PI is also heavily involved in educational opportunities for local underrepresented minority children and will use part of the research to engage the minds and imaginations of young (8-14) children through weekend workshops. Graduate students in the group will be required to participate in these educational workshops. Non-Technical Abstract. In order to fully enable new devices such as polymeric light emitting diodes (PLEDs), photovoltaics applications, optical waveguides and polymeric semiconductor devices, new methods for applying the active polymeric materials in precisely defined regions and patterns are needed. Our group has developed new patterning techniques within a field known as nanoimprint lithography. We will study new patterned surfaces composed of semiconducting polymeric materials with useful optical and electronic properties. A significant par of the research will be the development of chemistries that facilitate the attachment of polymer chains to imprinted patterned polymer layers. We will synthesize new patterned surfaces and characterize these functional nanopatterned materials. We will gain an understanding of the basic nature of these new polymer brush layers. Test structures will be created in order to facilitate charcterization of the optical and electronic properties of these materials. Finally, we will create and test functioning devices including PLEDs and polymeric transistors. Execution of this research will enable the understanding of novel polymeric materials and patterning techniques enabling future developments in nanotechnology and advanced device applications. The project will train graduate students and undergraduate researchers in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis and device manufacture and characterization. The PI is also heavily involved in educational opportunities for local underrepresented minority children and will use part of the research to engage the minds and imaginations of young (8-14) children through weekend workshops. Graduate students in the group will be required to participate in these educational workshops.