The proposed research focuses on the development of quasi-living polymerization techniques for the synthesis of semiconducting polymers with the aim of obtaining improved control over their shape, polydispersity, size and ultimately their optoelectronic properties. The technique developed in the Luscombe group will be used to create a variety of novel conjugated polymer structures including block copolymers, star-shaped polymers, and brush polymers. The optoelectronic properties of semiconducting polymers are known to be heavily dependent on their structures. Being able to control the shape and size of the polymers accurately will enable the fabrication of organic electronic devices with improved processing and better stability. The research program addressed in this CAREER proposal has clear technological applications in the area of flat-panel displays and photovoltalc devices that is directly relevant to both students and the public. Additionally, the work described is fully interdisciplinary lying at the interface of chemistry, physics, and materials science. This makes the research program particularly suitable for education and outreach programs. The PI is actively participating in K through 12 outreach through existing programs in the university, and also accepting students and teachers for the NSF REU and RET Programs. These interactions will be heavily leveraged to advance the major educational goals of the proposal. The first goal is to introduce global education to middle and high school students by allowing students to learn the latest advances in modern technologies about flat panel displays and photovoltalc devices while simultaneously expanding their horizons by interacting internationally via an internet based virtual classroom. The second goal is to improve undergraduate education in the Materials Science and Engineering Department at the University of Washington by the incorporation of writing programs into their existing courses. &&& Semiconducting polymers are actively under development for use in low cost, light-weight, and flexible electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes, thin-film transistors and solar cells. However, their performances in many applications is limited by our ability to accurately control their syntheses and hence their structure and properties. In this proposal, the fundamental aspects of controlling the synthesis of semiconducting polymers will be studied so that superior control over the shape, size, and properties of the materials can be achieved. The work will impact a number of areas in the field of optoelectronic devices, and in particular, have a major impact on the improvement on organic solar cells. The research described in this proposal is highly interdisciplinary and well suited for outreach activities. Specifically, the educational goals described in the proposal draw from the PI's research, educational, and personal experience to incorporate writing into the undergraduate curriculum at the University of Washington, and enhance global communication while introducing the latest results about polymers to the general public.
Semiconducting polymers have been under active investigation in recent years because of their potential in being able to create light-weight, flexible electronic devices in a cost effective manner. Primary applications for these materials that have been explored include using them in organic light emitting diodes, organic thin film transistors, and organic photovoltaics. However, one of the problems that we have struggled in this area of research is to produce the semiconducting polymers in a more reliable fashion with limited variability between each synthetic run. Another aspect that we have struggled to control is the defects which are present in the polymers. This NSF CAREER Award focused on the development of quasi-living polymerization techniques for the synthesis of semiconducting polymers with the aim of obtaining improved control over the synthesis of these semiconducting polymers. During the award period, we were able to synthesize a polymer known as poly(3-hexylthiophene) with a high degree of control over its molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and were also able to limit the number of defects present in the material. The synthetic strategy we developed was then used to create semiconducting polymer architectures that had never been developed before for these classes of materials including star-shaped polymers and brush-type polymers. The research program addressed in this CAREER proposal has clear technological applications in the area of flat-panel displays and photovoltalc devices that is directly relevant to both students and the public. Additionally, the work described is fully interdisciplinary lying at the interface of chemistry, physics, and materials science. This made the research program particularly suitable for education and outreach programs. The PI has actively participated in a number of outreach activities including working with REU, RET, and REM programs by introducing high school students, undergraduate students, and Community College Instructors to her laboratory. The PI and her research group have participated in a number of high summer camps such as the UW Math Academy and UW Aerospace Scholars program to talk about organic solar cells. Furthermore, the CAREER Award enabled us to host information booths about solar energy at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, and at the Engineering Open House at UW, which is open to K-12 students in the Seattle area.
