title: Macromolecular scaffolding: the relationship between nanoscale architecture and function in multichromophoric arrays for organic electronics.
abstract: The optimization of the electronic properties of molecular materials based on optically or electrically active organic building blocks requires a fine-tuning of their self-assembly properties at surfaces. Such a fine-tuning can be obtained on a scale up to 10 nm by mastering principles of supramolecular chemistry, i.e., by using suitably designed molecules interacting via pre-programmed noncovalent forces. The control and fine-tuning on a greater length scale is more difficult and challenging. This Research News highlights recent results we obtained on a new class of macromolecules that possess a very rigid backbone and side chains that point away from this backbone. Each side chain contains an organic semiconducting moiety, whose position and electronic interaction with neighboring moieties are dictated by the central macromolecular scaffold. A combined experimental and theoretical approach has made it possible to unravel the physical and chemical properties of this system across multiple length scales. The (opto)electronic properties of the new functional architectures have been explored by constructing prototypes of field-effect transistors and solar cells, thereby providing direct insight into the relationship between architecture and function.
authors.affiliation: Instituto per la Sintesi Organica e la Fotoreattività, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Bologna, Italy. palermo@isof.cnr.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Palermo
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Chris E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liscio
authors.forename: Matthijs B J
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trapani
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Müllen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beljonne
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.forename: Roeland J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Alan E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samorì
mesh_terms: D003486:Cyanides / Q000737:chemistry; D004581:Electronics; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012993:Solar Energy; D014173:Transistors, Electronic
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers