5 research outputs found
Extraordinary Effects in Quasi-Periodic Gold Nanocavities: Enhanced Transmission and Polarization Control of Cavity Modes
Plasmonic
quasi-periodic structures are well-known to exhibit several
surprising phenomena with respect to their periodic counterparts,
due to their long-range order and higher rotational symmetry. Thanks
to their specific geometrical arrangement, plasmonic quasi-crystals
offer unique possibilities in tailoring the coupling and propagation
of surface plasmons through their lattice, a scenario in which a plethora
of fascinating phenomena can take place. In this paper we investigate
the extraordinary transmission phenomenon occurring in specifically
patterned Thue–Morse nanocavities, demonstrating noticeable
enhanced transmission, directly revealed by near-field optical experiments,
performed by means of a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM).
SNOM further provides an intuitive picture of confined plasmon modes
inside the nanocavities and confirms that localization of plasmon
modes is based on size and depth of nanocavities, while cross talk
between close cavities <i>via</i> propagating plasmons holds
the polarization response of patterned quasi-crystals. Our performed
numerical simulations are in good agreement with the experimental
results. Thus, the control on cavity size and incident polarization
can be used to alter the intensity and spatial properties of confined
cavity modes in such structures, which can be exploited in order to
design a plasmonic device with customized optical properties and desired
functionalities, to be used for several applications in quantum plasmonics
High Hole Mobility in Triindole-Based Columnar phases: Removing the Bottleneck of Homogeneous Macroscopic Orientation
We report the synthesis, mesomorphic behavior, and mobility
values
of a series of highly ordered <i>N</i>-substituted triindole-based
columnar liquid crystals. Shortening the length of <i>N</i>-alkylic substituents from <i>N</i>-dodecyl to <i>N</i>-methyl chains results in a drastic approach of the disks
within the columns and in an impressive increase in charge carrier
mobility. An study of aggregation in solution provide insights into
the intermolecular forces responsible of the reduction of the intrastack
distance as the size of the <i>N</i>-alkyl chains is decreased
and offer evidence of stabilization of the columns by the contribution
of cooperative CH−π interactions. The materials presented
here exhibit mobility values, even in totally misaligned columnar
phases, that may compete with those of the best polycrystalline organic
semiconductors, without the need of costly vacuum evaporation processes
Electropolymerized Highly Photoconductive Thin Films of Cyclopalladated and Cycloplatinated Complexes
International audienceThe complete characterization of novel electro-polymerizable organometallic complexes is presented. These are newly synthesized cyclometalated complexes of general formula (PPy)M(O∧N) n (H(PPy) = 2-phenylpyridine, M = Pd(II) or Pt(II), H(O∧N) n = Schiff base). Polymeric thin films have been obtained from these complexes by electro-polymerization of the triphenylamino group grafted onto the H(O∧N) n ancillary ligand. The redox behavior and the photoconductivity of both of the monomers (PPy)M(O∧N) n and the electropolymerized species have been investigated. The polymeric films of (PPy)M(O∧N) n have shown a very significant enhancement of photoconductivity when compared to their monomeric amorphous counterparts. The high stability of the obtained films strongly suggests that electropolymerization of cyclometalated complexes represents a viable deposition technique of quality thin films with improved photoconduction properties, hence opening the door to a new class of materials with suitable properties for optoelectronic applications
H‑Bonded Donor–Acceptor Units Segregated in Coaxial Columnar Assemblies: Toward High Mobility Ambipolar Organic Semiconductors
A novel
approach to ambipolar semiconductors based on hydrogen-bonded
complexes between a star-shaped tris(triazolyl)triazine and triphenylene-containing
benzoic acids is described. The formation of 1:3 supramolecular complexes
was evidenced by different techniques. Mesogenic driving forces played
a decisive role in the formation of the hydrogen-bonded complexes
in the bulk. All of the complexes formed by nonmesogenic components
gave rise to hexagonal columnar (Col<sub>h</sub>) liquid crystal phases,
which are stable at room temperature. In all cases, X-ray diffraction
experiments supported by electron density distribution maps confirmed
triphenylene/tris(triazolyl)triazine segregation into hexagonal sublattices
and lattices, respectively, as well as remarkable intracolumnar order.
These highly ordered nanostructures, obtained by the combined supramolecular
H-bond/columnar liquid crystal approach, yielded donor/acceptor coaxial
organization that is promising for the formation of ambipolar organic
semiconductors with high mobilities, as indicated by charge transport
measurements
Mobility versus Alignment of a Semiconducting π‑Extended Discotic Liquid-Crystalline Triindole
The
p-type semiconducting properties of a triphenylene-fused triindole
mesogen, have been studied by applying two complementary methods which
have different alignment requirements. The attachment of only three
flexible alkyl chains to the nitrogen atoms of this π-extended
core is sufficient to induce columnar mesomorphism. High hole mobility
values (0.65 cm<sup>2</sup> V<sup>–1</sup> s<sup>–1</sup>) have been estimated by space-charge limited current (SCLC) measurements
in a diode-like structure which are easily prepared from the melt,
rendering this material a good candidate for OPVs and OLEDs devices.
The mobility predicted theoretically via a hole-hopping mechanism
is in very good agreement with the experimental values determined
at the SCLC regime. On the other hand the hole mobility determined
on solution processed thin film transistors (OFETs) is significantly
lower, which can be rationalized by the high tendency of these large
molecules to align on surfaces with their extended π-conjugated
core parallel to the substrate as demonstrated by SERS. Despite the
differences obtained with the two methods, the acceptable performance
found on OFETs fabricated by simple drop-casting processing of such
an enlarged aromatic core is remarkable and suggests facile hopping
between neighboring molecular columns owing to the large conducting/isolating
ratio found in this discotic compound