ChemE 484 - Electronic and Optoelectronic Polymers

Course Description

Credits: 3.  Covers the chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering applications of semiconducting and metallic conjugated polymers. Examines the structural origins of the diverse electronic and optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers. Exemplifies applications by light-emitting diodes, lasers, solar cells, thin film transistors, electrochromic devices, biosensors, and batteries. Offered: A.

Designation

Prerequisites

CHEM 237, CHEM 455, CHEM E 340, or MSE 310

Textbook

Bound lecture notes are available from the bookstore and additional reading/reference material is provided in class.

Course Objectives

Introduces seniors and graduate students to application of molecular engineering principles to the design and analysis of organic semiconductors and organic electronic devices. Learn material properties and processes used in the design and fabrication of electronic and optoelectronic devices. Understand and use chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering principles.

1. Electronic, optoelectronic, and photonic materials (1 class)
   
2. From vacuum tubes to molecular electronics (1 class)
   
3. Conjugated polymers: quasi 1D solids and pi-electronic structure (2 classes)
   
4. Polymer semiconductors: synthesis and processing (2 classes)
   
5. Photophysics of polymer semiconductors: Absorption and luminescence (1 class)
   
6. Photophysics of polymer semiconductors: Photoconductivity (1 classes)
   
7. Intrinsic charge transport in organic semiconductors (1 class)
   
8. Organic light emitting diodes (2 classes)
   
9. Organic solar cells (1 class)
   
10. Thin film transistors (1 class)
    
11. Other organic and molecular electronic applications (1 class)
    
12. Doped metallic polymers: Preparation, processing, and morphology (2 classes)
    
13. Conducting polymers: Magnetic and electrical properties and applications (2 classes)
    
14. Conducting polymers: Electrochromic and battery applications  (1 class)

Two lectures per week (90 minutes each)

Engineering

(a)   An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.

(c) The graduate should have an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.

(d) An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.

(e)   An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.

(f) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

(h)  The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.

(j)    A knowledge of contemporary issues related to safety and the environment.