Shape-Engineered Semiconducting Organic Single-Crystals
Research Mentor(s)
Patrick, David L.
Description
The ability to process single-crystal inorganic semiconductor materials such as c-Si into complex 2D and 3D microarchitectures has enabled countless important technological innovations, from integrated circuits, to solid-state optical devices and micro-electro-mechanical systems. For single-crystal organic semiconductors on the other hand, comparable approaches to defining micron- and submicron-scale structure are comparatively nonexistent. Here we describe a new bottom-up crystal growth strategy enabling a comparable level of control in organic single-crystals, grown into intricate terminal shapes by design. Crystal shape is controlled using a 2-dimensional vapor-liquid-solid deposition technique on substrates patterned with micron-scale obstructions, causing crystals to adopt shapes and growth directions accommodating the obstructions. After growth is complete, patterned crystals can be released from the substrate. The successful development of methods for programming bottom-up growth of molecular single-crystals with geometries approaching the complexity of micropatterned inorganic solids could open the door to new generations of molecular devices with tailored electronic, optical, photonic and other properties.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2018
End Date
May 2018
Department
Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects, posters
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Organic conductors; Crystallization
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Shape-Engineered Semiconducting Organic Single-Crystals
The ability to process single-crystal inorganic semiconductor materials such as c-Si into complex 2D and 3D microarchitectures has enabled countless important technological innovations, from integrated circuits, to solid-state optical devices and micro-electro-mechanical systems. For single-crystal organic semiconductors on the other hand, comparable approaches to defining micron- and submicron-scale structure are comparatively nonexistent. Here we describe a new bottom-up crystal growth strategy enabling a comparable level of control in organic single-crystals, grown into intricate terminal shapes by design. Crystal shape is controlled using a 2-dimensional vapor-liquid-solid deposition technique on substrates patterned with micron-scale obstructions, causing crystals to adopt shapes and growth directions accommodating the obstructions. After growth is complete, patterned crystals can be released from the substrate. The successful development of methods for programming bottom-up growth of molecular single-crystals with geometries approaching the complexity of micropatterned inorganic solids could open the door to new generations of molecular devices with tailored electronic, optical, photonic and other properties.