Hierarchically Organized Nanomaterials for Electronic Devices

Ziel

As global energy consumption continues to increase, the need for energy efficient electronic devices is crucial. Conventional electronic devices such as solar cells and light emitting diodes (LEDs) possess multi-layers, typically comprised of bulk semiconducting materials such as conjugated organic polymers, plastics which can interact with light to generate charge. These layers are deposited in bulk resulting in the random orientation of these materials, creating a large number of defects and lowering reproducibility. These defects cause traps for the charges that are necessary to generate electrical current, resulting in wasted energy and lower efficiencies. However, using new fabrication techniques, these same materials can be organized “brick by brick” into ordered nanometer size wires that transport charges exceptionally well. Introducing these controlled, highly ordered, materials into electronic devices can help improve solar harvesting potential and increase electrical efficiency. The project's aim is to explore the incorporation of these “nanowire” materials in electronic devices to determine how they can influence and improve device properties. The findings from this work will help inform the design and fabrication of next generation electronics, offering the potential to improve the efficiency of household lighting, solar cells and other widely used green energy technologies.