SWITCHROM · Redox-switchable nonlinear optical metallochromophores: towards functional materials
6РП — Действия „Мария Кюри“
- Период
- 2006-11-01 → 2007-10-31
- Финансиране от ЕС
- 168 231 €
- Участници
- 1
- Схема
- EIF
Линиите свързват координатора с партньорите.
Накратко на български
Оптичните свойства на тънки слоеве от метални съединения се изследват чрез промяната им с електрически импулси. Това помага за развитието на по-ефективни технологии за обработка на оптични данни.
Кратко обяснение, генерирано от езиков модел по текста на CORDIS. Оригиналът е по-долу.
Резултати накратко
Final Activity Report Summary - SWITCHROM (Redox-Switchable Nonlinear Optical Metallochromophores: Towards Functional Materials)
SWITCHROM project aimed to study the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of thin films of organotransition metal compounds. NLO behaviour is of interest for applications in areas such as optical data processing, and the compounds chosen are designed to show very large effects. The use of a conducting substrate for film deposition was intended to allow us to demonstrate the reversible switching of such effects under electrochemical stimulation. Two new series of organic compounds featuring a long hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chain were synthesised to give a range of properties. Coordination of these seven ligands with ruthenium(II) provided new complexes which were characterised by various techniques including UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. These complexes are amphiphilic (surfactant-like), containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions that are ideally suited to the controlled formation of organised thin film materials. Based on film stability considerations, one particular complex was selected and thoroughly investigated. This complex was successfully deposited on both hydrophilic glass slides and transparent conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) slides using a vertical dipping technique known as Langmuir-Blodgett deposition. This technique allowed us to control both the thickness of the film and also the bulk symmetry which is crucial for certain NLO effects such as second harmonic generation (SHG, frequency doubling). NLO measurements carried out using a 1064 nm laser showed a large SHG signal and the dependence of the intensity on the number of layers confirmed that the deposition is homogeneous. Using films on ITO integrated into an electrochemical cell allowed us to demonstrate for the first time a reversible redox-switching of bulk NLO behaviour, thus achieving the stated goal of the project. Future studies will address issues such as the magnitude and durability of the switching effect with a view to potential technological applications.
Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз
Цел на проекта
The inherent limitations of current semiconductor-based electronics regarding speed, scale and mode of operation have inspired much research in molecular electronics and photonics. Within this broad scientific field, nonlinear optical (NLO) and liquid crystalline materials are especially interesting. NLO effects allow the manipulation of laser light beams and can be used in electro-optical data processing, and also revolutionary all-optical technologies. Simple organic liquid crystals (LCs) have long proved useful, for example in display devices.We propose to synthesise two new classes of organotransition metal compounds designed to show very large NLO effects. The first group comprises amphiphilic ruthenium complex salts, which are intended to form Langmuir -Blodgett (LB) or related thin films displaying bulk NLO behaviour. By depositing such films onto optically transparent electrodes, we aim to achieve the first convincing demonstration of reversible switching of optical properties via metal-based redox.The second group of target compounds are neutral ruthenium complexes that are expected to form LC phases. All new compounds will be fully characterised in-house using standard techniques including NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy and electrochemistry. The project also involves collaborations with leading research groups in Europe and the USA. Molecular optical and electronic properties will be measured in Leuven (Belgium) using hyper-Rayleigh scattering, and using Stark spectroscopy at the California Institute of Technology (USA).Various advanced calculations including time-dependent density functional methods will also be pursued with experts in Zaragoza (Spain). LB or related thin films will be fabricated in Leuven, and LC behaviour will be investigated locally with specialists in physics. This work is driven primarily by scientific curiosity, but the long-term goal is to create new materials, which may be useful in future optical data processing devices.
Оригинален текст от CORDIS (на английски).
Участници
- UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · MANCHESTERКоординаторОбединеното кралство
Връзки
Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз