The Self-Assembly of Functional Nanostructures

大分子、超分子和纳米化学(MSN)计划支持俄亥俄州立大学的乔恩·R·帕奎特教授的工作，他专注于光电子应用中分级纳米结构的自组装。小分子自组装成一维纳米结构为电子和生物医学应用提供了许多潜在的机会。大多数应用需要在纳米结构内组装或共整合具有特定性质的分子。因此，自组装过程不仅必须在纳米结构方面是可控的，而且必须能够整合这些功能组件。这项工作的长期目标是了解如何在纳米尺度上控制纳米结构的性质、尺寸和组成，并将这些结构因素与相应的物理、化学和功能特性联系起来。小分子自发地自组装成高度有序的纳米结构，产生了许多自然界中发现的功能材料，从细胞壁的膜到导致各种神经疾病的淀粉样纤维。这项工作利用分子自组装来创建纳米结构，以增强太阳能电池等光电子器件的性能。在创造低成本有机太阳能电池方面的进展可能会提高太阳能的利用率，并创造一种清洁的、可再生的能源来取代化石燃料。该计划鼓励本科生和来自代表不足的群体的学生参与化学研究。这些学生中的许多人继续攻读化学或医学专业的研究生院。

The Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program supports the work of Professor Jon R. Parquette at the Ohio State University, which focuses on the self-assembly of hierarchical nanostructures for optoelectronic applications. The self-assembly of small molecules into one-dimensional nanostructures offers many potential opportunities for electronic and biomedical applications. Most applications require the assembly or co-integration of molecules with specific properties within the nanostructures. Thus, the self-assembly process must not only be controllable with regard to nanostructure, it must be capable of integrating these functional components. The long-term objective of this work is to understand how the nature, dimensions and composition of the nanostructures can be controlled on the nanoscale, and to correlate these structural factors with the corresponding physical, chemical and functional properties. The spontaneous self-assembly of small molecules into highly ordered nanostructures produces many of the functional materials found in nature, ranging from the membranes of cell walls to the amyloid fibrils responsible for a variety of neurological disorders. This work utilizes molecular self-assembly to create nanostructures that enhance the performance of optoelectronic devices such as solar cells. Progress toward the creation of low cost, organic solar cells may increase the utility of solar power and create a clean, renewable source of energy to replace fossil fuels. This program encourages the participation of undergraduates and students from under-represented groups in chemical research. Many of these students go on to graduate schools in chemistry or medical programs.