SBIR Phase II: Quantum Dot / Fluoropolymer Composites: A New Approach for Enhancing Performance in Light Sources

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目描述了一种创新的方法来封装纳米晶体（量子点和稀土掺杂的无机物）使用官能化全氟环丁基（PFCB）聚合物。该项目将扩大第一阶段合成的配体的范围，这些配体专门用于增强目前正在开发的纳米晶体的封装，用于快速增长的发光二极管，显示器，平面红外放大器和光伏市场的商业化。在第一阶段，公司通过将负载增加到前所未有的水平，均匀分布，几乎没有或没有性能损失，从而形成了显著的竞争优势。与目前的包封聚合物如硅酮、环氧树脂和聚碳酸酯相比，其他竞争优势是Tg高于250 ℃，在800、1330和1550 nm处的光学透明度，以及在聚合过程中没有自由基或副产物。这种封装性能创造了出色的竞争优势，因为它满足了纳米光子学领域的关键需求。该项目的技术目标是1）合成7种新的功能化聚合物2）与电子器件和设备制造商合作，将新的电子器件复合材料商业化，以满足上述市场3）选择并扩大商业化的最佳材料。Tetramer团队拥有超过50年成功的特种聚合物商业化经验。如果该项目成功，将增强量子点和稀土掺杂无机纳米晶体非常活跃领域的科学和技术知识。特别是，独特的功能化PFCB聚合物和纳米表面之间的相互作用将为这些材料在LED、显示器、红外放大器和光伏器件中的性能起源提供新的基本技术见解。这些市场中器械的改进有可能产生强大的社会和商业影响。例如，仅用发光二极管取代白炽灯照明就可以减少29%的国家能源消耗，而效率更高、成本更低的太阳能电池将减少美国对外国石油的依赖。使用这些新的封装材料将使这些高优先级市场的新器件设计成为可能。这反过来又会提高成本效益，从而加速商业化，并带来减少能源使用和改善通信的社会效益。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project describes an innovative approach to encapsulating nanocrystals (quantum dots and rare earth doped inorganics) using functionalized perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymers. This project will expand the range of ligands synthesized in Phase I specifically designed to enhance the encapsulation of nanocrystals currently being developed for commercialization in the rapidly growing light emitting diodes, displays, planar infrared amplifiers and photovoltaic markets. In Phase I, the company developed a significant competitive advantage by increasing nanocrystal loading to unprecedented levels with uniform distribution and little or no loss of performance. Further competitive advantages over current encapsulating polymers such as silicones, epoxies, and polycarbonates are Tg's above 250 0C, optical clarity at 800, 1330 and 1550 nm, and no free radicals or by-products during polymerization. This encapsulating performance creates an excellent competitive advantage since it meets a critical enabling need in the field of nanophotonics. The technical objectives for this project are 1) Synthesize 7 new functionalized polymers 2) Work with nanocrystal and device manufacturers to commercialize new nanocrystal composites for the markets shown above 3) Down select and scale up the best materials for commercialization. The Tetramer team has over 50 years of successful specialty polymer commercialization.If successful the results of this project will enhance scientific and technical knowledge in the very active field of quantum dot and rare earth doped inorganic nanocrystals. In particular, the interaction between the unique functionalized PFCB polymers and the nanocrystal surface will provide new fundamental technical insights for the origins of performance of these materials in LED's, displays, infrared amplifiers, and photovoltaic devices. Improvement of devices in these markets has the potential for strong societal and commercial impact. For example, light emitting diodes replacing incandescent lighting alone could decrease national energy consumption by 29%, while more efficient, lower cost solar cells would reduce the US dependence on foreign oil. Use of these new encapsulating materials will enable new device designs for these high priority markets. This in turn will lead to improved cost performance therefore accelerating commercialization and the subsequent societal benefits of reduced energy usage and improved communications.