Project description
Putting a new spin on an established material opens the door to innovation
Semiconductors are essential components of most electronic circuits. As their name implies, their conductivity range lies between that of an insulator and most metals. While the movement of electrons in a circuit generates electricity, the intrinsic spin of an electron generates a magnetic moment. Given the importance of conductivity and magnetic interactions to numerous fields, the low conductivity and weak magnetic interaction of promising metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in 3D form has limited their commercial application. 2D MOF films appear to overcome these issues but their study has been challenging. FC2DMOF plans to break the barriers to realisation of novel electronics and spintronics with the creation and characterisation of conjugated 2D MOFs exhibiting unprecedented electronic and magnetic structures, properties, and performance.
Objective
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been highlighted for catalysis, gas storage and separation. However, due to low conductivity (<1E-8 S/cm), weak magnetic interaction as well as difficult device integration, the application of bulk 3D MOFs in (spin-)electronics is challenging. Recent advances disclose that the designs of conjugated 2D MOFs (C2DMOFs) have led to improved intrinsic conductivity (up to 1000 S/cm). However, the related research remains immature due to lack of high-quality film samples, very limited structural types and elusive transport mechanism. In this project, we will develop unprecedented magnetic (semi-)conductive C2DMOFs and accomplish electronic/magnetic structure engineering for functions in electronics and spintronics. Here, we will synthesize novel conjugated monomers to tune geometries and pore sizes of C2DMOFs, thus achieving in-plane engineering on charge and spin distribution. We will develop versatile synthesis strategies towards highly crystalline C2DMOF films/nanosheets: (1) develop solvothermal synthesis and subsequent electrochemical exfoliation of layer-stacked bulk samples into 2D nanosheets; (2) develop air/liquid and liquid/liquid interfacial synthesis of large-area single-/few-layer films; (3) particularly establish a ground-breaking chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis route for “clean” single-crystalline films. We will further establish unprecedented C2DMOF-based 2D-2D van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) with other inorganic 2D crystals to realize out-of-plane engineering on band gaps and unique interfacial transport characteristics. By employing the developed C2DMOFs and vdWHs, we will explore magnetism and temperature-/magnetic field-depended charge transport properties. As the key achievements, we expect to establish novel electronic/magnetic structures and general synthesis strategies, delineation of reliable structure-transport relationships and superior device performance of C2DMOFs.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
01069 Dresden
Germany