John R. Miller1, Andrew R Cook1, Paiboon Sreearunothai1, Sadayuki Asaoka2, Kirk S. Schanze3, Norihiko Takeda1, Tomokazu Iyoda2, and Julia M. Keller4. (1) Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, (2) Tokyo Institute of Technology, (3) University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, (4) University of Florida, Upton, FL
Conjugated polymers can act as semiconducting molecular wires having diameters of 0.5-1.0 nm and lengths of 2-100 nm. Good nanoscale molecular wires must be excellent charge carriers, even at very long lengths. This research uses picosecond electron pulses to inject electrons or holes into conjugated polymers. It explores remarkable behaviors including transient terms in diffusion-controlled reactions for charge attachment, delocalization lengths, and transport of charges along the wires.
Conjugated molecules investigated here are polyfluorenes, polythiophenes and oligomers of platinum-acetylides. In some cases the molecules incorporate traps for electrons or holes, usually positioned at the ends of the chains.
These are remarkable materials have properties we are only beginning to understand and potential we are only beginning to tap.