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Title: Molecular engineering of nanoscale order in organic electro-optic glasses

Journal Article · · J. Mater. Chem.
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/C2JM14915J· OSTI ID:1039438

The rational design of bulk nanoscale order in organic electro-optic materials, where the strong dipole-dipole interactions tend to dominate over the weaker forces exploited for self-assembly processes, remains an attractive yet elusive goal. Towards this end, a series of pseudo-discotic dipolar nonlinear optical chromophores have been synthesized and fully characterized. Theoretical guidance and an iterative molecular design process have succeeded in engineering long-range nanoscale order in organic electro-optic glasses. Small-angle thin-film X-ray diffraction experiments demonstrate a self-assembled lamellar morphology in a majority of these materials. Cryogenic crystallography, using a synchrotron X-ray source, afforded the structure of a representative system. This structure, in concert with thin-film X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, UV-vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, and refractive index experiments elucidated the nanoscale order in the films. Application of these materials in electro-optics is discussed.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States). Advanced Photon Source (APS)
Sponsoring Organization:
OTHERNSFAFR
OSTI ID:
1039438
Journal Information:
J. Mater. Chem., Vol. 22, Issue (14) ; 2012; ISSN 0959-9428
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH