Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Inorganic Optical Crystalline Materials
Abstract
This proposal is aiming to support a materials science research group at Claflin University to develop novel inorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, which can be widely used in military and civil fields. This research group will be led by Dr. Ling, one postdoctoral researcher (supported by this grant) and two minority undergraduate students (supported by other current grants) will be involved in each funding year. We are targeting iodates, tellurites, and borates compounds which adopt non-centrosymmetric structure, a necessary prerequisite for the existence of non-linear optical properties such as second harmonic generation (SHG). The targeted materials will be synthesized via a number of complementary crystal growth methods, including fluxes, solid state, hydrothermal and supercritical methods. The crystal structure and optical property of prepared products will be characterized by both experimental and theoretical techniques, including crystal structure determination (single crystal XRD, powder XRD), vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), thermal analysis (TGA, DSC), elemental analysis (SEM-EDX), optical property analysis (SHG, UV-Vis-NIR) and theoretical calculations (DFT). This proposed work will expand the family of NLO materials, advance the understanding and knowledge on the correlation between crystal structure and optical property, and may develop novel practical optical crystalline products. In addition, this proposed research work will be integrated into Inorganic Chemistry lecture and laboratory courses at Claflin. Students will learn to use crystal structure drawing and visualization software (e.g. CrystalMaker) to understand crystalline structure in 3D and gain hands-on experience on various cutting-edge crystal growth and characterization techniques described above. This proposed work should provide great benefit to AOR and DoD by advancing the research in optical materials and training potential minority employees. It can also help to further elevate the research and education capacity and effectiveness in the field of materials chemistry at Claflin University. Conducting the proposed research will involve students in the process of chemical innovation and train them in the art of crystal growth, teach them about solution equilibria, and expose them to the concept of experimental design and methods optimization. Furthermore, it will result in their learning fundamental concepts concerning optical materials and crystal growth, as well as physical property measurements, such as the optical characterization of materials for potential second harmonic applications. Overall, it is expected that this research will contribute to the education of a wide range of individuals, including women and members of underrepresented groups, in the area of applied materials chemistry, thereby helping train the next generation STEM researchers and increase the participation of minority undergraduate student in the nationÕs STEM workforce.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010314
Entities
People
- Jie Ling
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Claflin University
- Office of the Secretary of Defense