Liquid crystalline materials containing boron clusters for electrooptical and cation transport application

技术概述：这项拟议的研究是目前由固态和材料化学计划支持的NSF奖的继续，涉及液晶材料的设计、合成和研究，这些材料特别适合于解决液晶领域的基本问题和应用问题。被提议的材料是含有硼原子簇的液晶，这是一类显示出不同寻常的空间和电子性质的化合物。由于这些材料具有满足现代社会技术需求的潜力，该项目有两个相关的目标：i)开发用于平板显示器的新型向列相材料；ii)用于可充电Li+离子电池的新型近晶液晶电解液。该项目涉及新材料的分子设计，辅以量子力学计算、无机/有机合成方法、结构-性质关系研究、电光表征和离子迁移率研究。非技术概述：这个由固态和材料化学计划支持的多学科计划旨在开发新的先进分子材料，以解决液晶领域的基本问题，并应用于平板显示器和充电电池。这项设计涉及独特的有机-无机杂化分子，将利用一系列现代研究工具进行合成和研究。这项拟议的工作将影响到许多科学和工程领域，并预计将影响显示和储能技术。它将为相关人员(本科生、研究生和博士后工作者)提供极好的机会，通过研究和包括LCD行业在内的国内外合作，获得广泛的现代材料化学培训。液晶的美学吸引力及其在现代技术中的重要性使其成为推广计划和公开展示的一个有吸引力的话题，这将在当前的资助期内继续下去。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The proposed research is a continuation of the current NSF award supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program and involves design, synthesis, and study of liquid crystalline materials that are uniquely suited to address fundamental questions and applied problems in the field of liquid crystals. The proposed materials are liquid crystals containing boron clusters, a class of compounds that display unusual steric and electronic properties. Because these materials have a potential to meet technological needs in modern society, the project has two related goals: i) the development of new nematic materials for applications in flat panel displays and ii) new smectic liquid crystalline electrolytes for rechargeable Li+ ion batteries. The project involves the molecular design of new materials aided by quantum-mechanical calculations, inorganic/organic synthetic methods, structure-property relationship studies, electrooptical characterization and ion mobility investigations.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:This multidisciplinary program supported by the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program is directed towards the development of new advanced molecular materials for addressing fundamental questions in the field of liquid crystals and for applications in flat panel displays and rechargeable batteries. The design involves unique organic-inorganic hybrid molecules, which will be synthesized and investigated using a broad array of modern research tools. The proposed work will affect a number of areas of science and engineering, and is expected to impact display and energy storage technologies. It will provide excellent opportunities for involved personnel (undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral workers) to obtain broad training in modern materials chemistry through research and also domestic and international collaborations, which include LCD industry. The aesthetic appeal of liquid crystals and their significance in modern technologies make them an attractive topic for outreach programs and public presentations, which will be continued during the current funding period.