CAREER: Control of Substrate Electronic States via Photochromic (Switching) Molecular Adsorbates

在这个由化学结构、动力学和机制计划支持的项目中，芝加哥洛约拉大学的Jacob W.Ciszek教授和他的学生将从事三个领域的探索，通过使用光致变色(开关)分子来统一，其独特的性质允许刺激控制和在底层诱导可逆的变化。重点是：1)光致变色开关分子对衬底金属表面功函数和芯结合能的影响；2)金属表面诱导分子吸附激发态猝灭的距离依赖关系；以及3)探索自组装单分子膜对半导体有机晶体衬底中载流子密度和电导率的影响。主要的工具将是有机合成、红外反射光谱、x射线光电子能谱和开尔文探针(用于功函数测定)。上述研究主题对日常生活中使用的技术有影响。例如，项目一与有机发光二极管和太阳能电池有关。项目2和3与新兴的分子电子学领域相关。项目2对基于发光的生物传感技术也有影响。Ciszek实验室的研究活动还将具有教育意义，通过培训研究生和本科生，持续开发一门为期一学期的纳米科学课程，以及Ciszek研究小组成员参加针对高中受众的年度科学研究讲习班。Ciszek教授和他的学生还将参加一系列面向公众的科学研讨会。未来在这一领域的创新包括将纳米科学课程中选定的主题改编成一般公众研讨会。

In this project supported by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms Program, Professor Jacob W. Ciszek of Loyola University Chicago and his students will engage in three areas of exploration, allunified through the use of photochromic (switching) molecules, whose unique properties allow stimuli controlled and reversible changes to be induced in the underlying substrate. The areas of focus will be: 1) The effect of photochromic switching molecules on the work function and core binding energy of the substrate metal surface; 2) Determination of the distance dependence of metal surface-induced quenching of molecularadsorbate excited states, and 3) Exploration of the effect of self-assembled monolayers on the carrier density and conductivity within a semiconducting organic crystal substrate. The principal tools will beorganic synthesis, infrared reflection spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Kelvin probe (for work function determination). The aforementioned research topics have implications for the technology used in everyday life. For example, project one is relevant to organic light emitting diodes and solar cells. Projects 2 and 3 are relevant tothe emerging field of molecular electronics. Project 2 also has implications for luminescence-based biosensing technologies. The research activity in the Ciszek laboratory will also have educationalimplications, through the training of graduate and undergraduate students, the on-going development of a semester-long course in nanoscience, and the participation of Ciszek research group members inannual workshops on scientific research targeted at high school audiences. Professor Ciszek and his students will also participate in a series of science seminars for the general public. Future innovations inthis area include the adaptation of selected topics in the nanoscience course for the general public seminars.