Tailored Materials for Sustainable Technologies: Programming Functional Molecular Components Through Boron-Nitrogen Doping

Project Information

STiBNite

Grant agreement ID: 956923

DOI

10.3030/956923

Project closed

EC signature date 4 September 2020

Start date 1 October 2020

End date 31 December 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 3 893 182,92

EU contribution

€ 3 893 182,92

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITAT WIEN
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - STiBNite (Tailored Materials for Sustainable Technologies: Programming Functional Molecular Components Through Boron-Nitrogen Doping)

Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The primary objective of the STiBNite project was to train 15 early-stage researchers in diverse disciplines including organic chemistry, physical chemistry, materials science, device fabrication, analytical chemistry, and computational chemistry. The goal was to develop novel semiconducting BN-doped molecules and materials.

Among the many materials that have shaped our modern lifestyle, doped inorganic silicon (Si) semiconductors stand out as the cornerstone of today’s electronics. However, Si-based devices are often expensive, mechanically brittle, and offer limited chemical tunability. As a result, there is a strong demand for alternative materials that provide improved properties, presenting both timely scientific challenges and economic opportunities.

STiBNite addresses this need by targeting the next generation of semiconductor materials: BN-doped macromolecular organics. Although these materials have recently emerged as highly promising candidates, their broader application in devices is hindered by the lack of reproducible and targeted synthetic methodologies. To overcome this, the STiBNite consortium is developing reliable, sustainable, and scalable strategies for synthesizing BN-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These compounds are then rigorously characterized to evaluate their performance.

The resulting materials’ optical properties, particularly the energy bandgap and exciton behavior, can be finely adjusted by carefully tuning the molecular structures during synthesis. These optimized materials are subsequently integrated into optoelectronic devices to harness the potential of BN-doped systems as semiconductors fully.

These advancements were made possible through the strong collaboration among consortium members and the dedicated work of 15 exceptionally talented early-stage researchers. Trained by leading academic institutions and industry partners, these young scientists have gained deep expertise in organic-based semiconductors.

Ultimately, the STiBNite project not only pioneers new materials for future technologies but also cultivates a new generation of scientists, equipped with the skills and experience to thrive in a rapidly evolving and competitive research landscape.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The STiBNite consortium successfully launched the project, overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. All 15 early-stage researchers (ESRs) were recruited across the ten participating institutions and were enrolled in PhD programs. The scientific training of the ESRs progressed effectively, delivered through a combination of network-wide events and localized training at their host institutions.

During the global training schools, the ESRs were introduced to timely and relevant topics, which helped establish a shared foundational knowledge across the group and facilitated more productive interactions among the researchers. Locally, the ESRs received hands-on research training, enabling them to initiate their individual research projects efficiently and effectively. In parallel, the ESRs were trained in a range of transferable skills, including preparing engaging scientific presentations, scientific methodology and ethics, time and project management, and intellectual property rights.

Since the project's inception, the consortium produced eight peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, secured one patent, and contributed to 31 oral and poster presentations at both national and international conferences and meetings. The results thus far included the successful synthesis and study of BN-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the development of sustainable synthetic approaches to BN-doped molecules. Additionally, novel BNC nanomaterials were synthesized and characterized. These materials were investigated for their potential as active layers in optoelectronic devices, with their properties supported and interpreted through computational chemistry studies.

It is important to highlight that these achievements were made possible through the close and active collaboration of all ESRs within the consortium.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The scientific outcomes of the STiBNite project had already resulted in the filing of one patent, contributing to the strengthening of European innovation capacity and laying the groundwork for potential economic growth within the EU. The publication of 35 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals further underscored the scientific relevance of the project and affirmed the leadership of the consortium partners as global authorities in their respective fields.

In addition, STiBNite fostered numerous collaborations between academic and industrial partners, while also reinforcing pre-existing partnerships. These collaborative efforts formed a robust network that not only facilitated the progress of the project but also laid the foundation for continued innovation beyond its duration. The establishment of new collaborations during the second half of the project further expanded this network, aligning with STiBNite’s long-term objective to drive post-project innovation and facilitate the transition of research results into practical applications that can improve quality of life.

The second phase of the project also planned to explore the involvement of consortium members in follow-up initiatives, aiming to integrate new partners—either from within participating countries or from new regions—to build upon STiBNite’s scientific developments and accelerate their translation into real-world technologies.

Throughout the project, STiBNite successfully trained 15 highly skilled early-stage researchers in all aspects of this multidisciplinary field. With the knowledge gained and the training provided in the latter half of the project, these researchers emerged well-prepared to enter the job market and lead future research efforts across Europe. The project’s strong intersectoral component ensured that the ESRs developed a deep understanding of both academic and industrial research environments, equipping them to bridge these sectors and help translate academic innovations into market-ready solutions more efficiently.

Through their future careers, these young scientists were expected to serve as exemplary ambassadors of the MSCA Training Network, inspiring the next generation of researchers and advancing the scientific and technological goals of the European Union.

"Boron atom meteor shower"