Organized Nanostructures
Self-Organizing Molecular Electronics
Liquid crystalline molecular semiconductors and photoconductors are intriguing
candidates for molecular electronic and nanoelectronic structures and systems. Liquid crystals have intrinsic fluidity like a liquid,
possess the unique ability to spontaneously self-organize into highly ordered
structures, displaying long range orientational and/or positional molecular
order similar to a crystal. We
synthesize and investigate the organizational behavior of a variety of
electroactive liquid crystalline systems.
Edge Transfer Lithography
We are developing simple and general methods to organize molecular and inorganic
materials at the nanometer level. Edge
Transfer lithography (ETL) is used for large area patterning of self-assembled
monolayers. These patterned SAMs
can be used for the guided assembly of molecular and nanoparticle materials.
Templating Strategies to Thin Film Periodic Nanostructures and Arrays
We are exploring template synthetic strategies for the patterning of complex periodic nanostructures. Composite structures are created within the confines of the cylindrical pores of thin-film templates by electrochemical deposition of inorganics/organics, electropolymerization, solution chemical deposition, and evaporation of materials. Target structures include arrays of semiconducting molecular wires and wire bundles, inorganic semiconducting tubes and rods, and coaxial structures. The fundamental intrinsic nanoscale optical and electronic properties are investigated by high spatial resolution scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy. Such complex periodic systems have potential applications in solar cells, light emitting devices, and field effect transistors.
