Synthesis of organic materials for optoelectronic applications

Tracey, Frances Mary (2024) Synthesis of organic materials for optoelectronic applications. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Organic electronics have seen a rapid development of research in this area in both academia and industry due to being lighter, more flexible and less expensive than conventional inorganic materials. This thesis describes the synthesis and characterisation of novel organic materials with the aim of optoelectronic applications.

The first chapter provides an introduction to organic semiconductors, focussing on their working principle from both a chemical and physical perspective. This is followed by a discussion on a few recent technologies developed in this field including some exemplar materials.

The second chapter describes the design and synthesis of spiro-OMeTAD based polymers for application in perovskite solar cells. Spiro-OMeTAD is the benchmark hole transporting material for these devices due to its high performance on doping. Preliminary conductivity measurements determine the potential for these polymers to act as additives in perovskite solar cells. One of the polymer materials was incorporated into a device and the key parameters discussed.

In chapter three, the development of green chemistry inspired materials for perovskite solar cells were outlined. Initially, the design and synthesis of several imine-based small molecules were discussed. The optical, electronic and thermal properties are extensively studied. The triphenylamine derivatives were further studied in the later section of this chapter to determine their potential as hole transporting materials in perovskite solar cells.

Two flavin-fused truxenes are presented in chapter four. First, details of the successful synthesis and characterisation of these molecules are discussed before a variety of applications were attempted for these materials including organic light emitting diodes, organic field-effect transistors and sensors.

Finally, the last chapter describes a variety of fluorescent bio-mimetic materials based on either the flavin moiety or green fluorescent protein chromophore. The chapter is separated into two parts to discuss these individually. Flavins are natural redox-active molecules which have good stability and structural versatility. Green fluorescent proteins have been studied due to their good photoluminescence, photostability and sustainable production. Therefore, both have the potential for applications in optoelectronics.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry; T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Funder's Name: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• Supervisor's Name: Cooke, Professor Graeme
• Date of Award: 2024
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2024-84295
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 03 May 2024 11:15
• Last Modified: 03 May 2024 11:16
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84295
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84295