Programmable Assembly of Graphene Nanoribbon-Based Electronics
Abstract
Title: Programmable Assembly of Graphene Nanoribbon-Based ElectronicsObjective: To carry out basic research in order to address the following scientific and technical challenges: ~ How can we reproducibly encode a sequence of e.g. molecular recognition elements, doping patterns or heterojunctions one monomer at a time in a segmented graphene nanoribbon (GNR)?~ How can we balance competing intermolecular vs. adsorption forces that direct the self-assembly of GNRs into predetermined secondary architectures on solid substrates?~ How do we match the directed secondary architecture with a desired functionality or device performance?~ How do we achieve assembly fidelity with minimal directing groups, so as to create the highest possible density of functional GNR components?~ How can we create two-dimensional lattices of heterostructured GNRs on arbitrary substrates?Approach: The project aims to address the technical challenges by marrying reaction chemistry, self-assembly, and molecular recognition to create self-organized arrays of GNRs with a precision reminiscent of DNA nanotechnology bychemically encoding the desired properties directly into the GNR sequence. It is expected that these techniques will be deployed and scaled to yield highly reproducible assemblies of functional nanomaterials.SOW: Specific research thusts of the program are:Thrust 1: Expanding the Deterministic Bottom-up Synthesis Toolbox~ Develop synthetic tools to control the monomer sequence in GNRs (1D).~ Develop functional handles to direct the hierarchical self-assembly through orthogonal covalent and non-covalent interactions (2D).~ Develop programmable small-molecule and substrate templating to access 2~2.5D functional GNR architectures.Thrust 2: Programming Functional GNR Heterostructure Self-Assembly~ Develop methods to chelate magnetic spin centers, redox active subunits, and chromophores to predetermined positions along GNRs.~ Develop a fundamental understanding of the intrinsic (unmodified) GNR interaction strengths. How do single edge modifications modulate GNR interaction strengths?~ Develop tethered GNR dimers and understand how tethering affects the alignment of GNR dimers.~ Apply the tools developed above to extend 1D GNR tiling into 2D GNR origami.~ Develop the deterministic programming of higher order assemblies by balancing between functional GNR density (fewer modifications) and strength/specificity (more modifications)? How to balance robust assembly (strong thermodynamics) with accessible kinetics (avoid kinetic traps)?Thrust 3: Exploration of 2D and 2.5D GNR Heterostructures~ Develop single-crystal based planar and vicinal surface polymerization protocols to create 2D GNR architectures.~ Develop SPM tools to image and manipulate noncovalent interactions between GNRs.~ Develop dry transfer-based techniques to deposit, polymerize and image solution synthesized precursors and extended GNR structures.Navy relevance and merit: The application of the materials in this proposal will greatly enhance capabilities that are of direct relevance to DOD and specifically to ONR. For example, the technologies developed in this project will enable faster and more energy efficient types of information and data processing. The electronic, magnetic, spintronic, and photonic materials described in this proposal will enabledevices with novel magnetic, optical and electronic properties. Beyond these functional electronics applications, this proposal is replete with other outcomes of interest to DOD/ONR.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912503
Entities
People
- Felix Fischer
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California Regents