| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N34970/01 |
| Title: |
NON-CENTROSYMMETRIC ALIGNMENT OF UNCONVENTIONAL D-(PI) -A MOLECULE |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ashwell, Professor G |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering |
| Organisation: |
Cranfield University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 July 2000 |
Ends: |
31 March 2003 |
Value (£): |
174,888
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Chemicals |
Electronics |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Non-centrosymmetric alignment a the air-water interface requires the molecules to have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail, the latter being a fatty n-alkyl group for LB deposition. This tends to restrict the properties, for example, by diluting the D-(pi)-A species for second-harmonic generation and by introducing insulating barriers between the active layers for molecular rectification and photovoltaic conversion. The aim of this work is to eliminate the fatty alkyl tail while retaining the amphiphilic nature of the molecule. It may be achieved by utilising a hydrophilic acceptor connected via an extended pi-electron bridge to a suitable donor, with the conjugated bridge performing the function of the alkyl group of conventional amphiphilic materials. A preliminary study has indicated that the molecules may be aligned when the pi-bridge is sufficiently hydrophobic. From this observation, the initial goal is to optimise the deposition and fabricate non-centrosymmetric multilayers by systematically modifying the molecular design. The novel D- (pi) -A chromophores will occupy ca. 100% of the volume whereas, in non-centrosymmetric films of conventional materials, the occupancy is only 10-30%. Thus, by eliminating the inactive fatty component, while retaining non-centrosymmetric deposition, the second-harmonic intensity and photovoltaic conversion should be improved.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk |