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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/N34970/01
Title: NON-CENTROSYMMETRIC ALIGNMENT OF UNCONVENTIONAL D-(PI) -A MOLECULE
Principal Investigator: Ashwell, Professor G
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Engineering
Organisation: Cranfield University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 July 2000 Ends: 31 March 2003 Value (£): 174,888
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Chemicals Electronics
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Non-centrosymmetric alignment a the air-water interface requires the molecules to have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail, the latter being a fatty n-alkyl group for LB deposition. This tends to restrict the properties, for example, by diluting the D-(pi)-A species for second-harmonic generation and by introducing insulating barriers between the active layers for molecular rectification and photovoltaic conversion. The aim of this work is to eliminate the fatty alkyl tail while retaining the amphiphilic nature of the molecule. It may be achieved by utilising a hydrophilic acceptor connected via an extended pi-electron bridge to a suitable donor, with the conjugated bridge performing the function of the alkyl group of conventional amphiphilic materials. A preliminary study has indicated that the molecules may be aligned when the pi-bridge is sufficiently hydrophobic. From this observation, the initial goal is to optimise the deposition and fabricate non-centrosymmetric multilayers by systematically modifying the molecular design. The novel D- (pi) -A chromophores will occupy ca. 100% of the volume whereas, in non-centrosymmetric films of conventional materials, the occupancy is only 10-30%. Thus, by eliminating the inactive fatty component, while retaining non-centrosymmetric deposition, the second-harmonic intensity and photovoltaic conversion should be improved.
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Organisation Website: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk