The project

The project aims to develop organic conjugated materials that by means of coupled covalent synthesis and self-assembly generate complex structures able to perform advanced functions in photonic, electronic and optoelectronic devices. Building blocks will include variously functionalized thienylene, phenylene, phenylenevinylene, aryleneethynylene units, etc.. also grafted to oligonucleotide and aminoacid scaffolds. Guidelines for the synthesis will be obtained by means of theoretical calculations aimed to gain insight into molecular electronic properties (electron affinity, ionization potentials,
HOMO-LUMO gaps, etc.) as well as patterns and self-assembly properties of biologically-inspired supramolecular systems. Molecular, structural, and self-assembly characterization of the systems designed and synthesized will be carried out by a variety of techniques, including X-ray diffraction and scanning force microscopies. The biohybrid materials will be studied for their ability to generate new functions and also for the changing of their opto-electronic properties during biochemical recognition events. Electrical, photoelectrical and electrooptical chracterizations of the newly synthesized materials will be carried out by use of prototype devices (FET, LED, PVD).