Research

Solution Synthesis of Molecular Precursors

We will design molecular precursors that can undergo homolytic cleavage to give highly reactive intermediate species at elevated temperatures and polymerize.

Solid-State Synthesis of Covalent Crystals

We will design and grow molecular covalent crystals with different hybridizations and geometries, such as covalent organic frameworks and graphene nanoribbons, using the pyrolytic vapor polymerization (PVP) approach that we developed. Molecular precursors are sealed under high vacuum in a quartz tube and then subjected to a temperature gradient. The chemical reactions occur on the source side (hot zone) and crystallization occurs on the sink side (cold zone).

Device Fabrication and Characterization

We will carry out mageto-transport measurements along different crystallographic orientations of the crystals, using a physical property measurement system (PPMS), to determine the relationships between structure and function for the design of next generation organic electronics.