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Our research focuses on understanding and controlling a variety of phenomena of the solid state with an emphasis on organic materials chemistry. The group consists of students and postdoctoral scholars with backgrounds and interests ranging from synthetic organic and polymer chemistry to physical and computational characterization of advanced materials. The diversity of coworkers and focus areas leads to a unique environment where the project is tailored to the interests and strengths of the researcher. Our focus on basic science coexists with applied research to transition our findings into chemical industry. Our three major thrusts are:
*Crystal Polymorphism
*Physisorbed Monolayers
*Conjugated Materials
| Controlling Crystal Polymorphism
The ability of molecules to crystallize in more than one arrangement in the solid state has profound implications for a variety of phenomena including pigment properties, solid state reactivity, and pharmaceutical performance. We are developing techniques to control the process of crystallization in a general fashion with the goal of making materials with improved functionality. Our approach exploits polymers as phase directors. Combinatorial materials chemistry plays a vital role in these efforts as do advanced analytical techniques including X-ray microdiffraction, thermal analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. Design of new polymeric systems for controlling pharmaceutical crystallization and elucidating mechanisms of form selection are topics of current interest.
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Physisorbed
Monolayers
Highly organized monolayers can be obtained by the spontaneous self-assembly, under atmospheric conditions, of molecules in a process termed two-dimensional crystallization. The imaging of these adsorbates with submolecular resolution is possible with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) which allows for an exquisitely detailed understanding of their arrangement and constitution. We combine molecular design, surface science, and computation to develop a detailed understanding of these supramolecular assemblies. Use of this knowledge in the design of structurally more complex layers will allow control of surface properties (oxidation, corrosion, hydrophobicity, etc.) and correlation of these bulk properties with organization at the molecular level.
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Conjugated Materials
Conjugated oligomers and polymers containing planar structural constraints are synthetically challenging targets displaying a variety of unusual properties. We develop novel routes for the efficient production of new members of this materials class, such as fused oligothiophenes, and study their behavior in the solid state as it relates to important device applications such as organic thin film transistors (OTFTs). These structure types also find application in the construction of porous solids for applications ranging from gas storage to catalysis.
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