Luminescent and Charge-Transport Materials for OLEDs
This project concerns the development of new phosphorescent materials for use as emissive or bifunctional emissive/charge transport materials in organic electronic devices. Research involves the development of novel materials including heterocyclic compounds, and organoboron-functionalized main group or transition metal compounds with high emission efficiencies, tunable colours, and improved charge-transport and film-forming properties. Synthesis involves extensive work in both organic and organometallic chemistry, making use of palladium-catalyzed C-C bond formation and metal-halogen exchange reactions, as well as procedures for introduction of a metal centre to form the functional materials. Research is carried out in collaboration with Professors Zheng-Hong Lu (University of Toronto) and Yue Wang (Jilin University, Changchun, China).
Recent publications:
Adv. Funct. Mater., 2010, ASAP; Dalton Trans., 2010, 39, 892-899; Acc. Chem. Res., 2009, 42, 1584-1596; J. Appl. Phys., 2008, 103, 034509/1-034509/6.
Photochromic and Photo-Responsive Materials
Photochromic/photo-responsive materials have many important applications including memory devices, smart windows and switches for molecular shape and reactivity control. Our research in this area concerns two types of compounds.
Recent publications:
Chem. Eur. J., 2010, 16, 4750-4761; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 14549-14559; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130, 12898-12900.
Luminescent materials as chemical sensors
Fluorescent and phosphorescent compounds have great potential as chemical sensors, as they can provide a sensitive and selective response to an analyte that is observable to the eye. Research effort in the Wang group in this area is currently directed towards: i) the development of luminescent triarylboranes for the selective detection of fluoride ions, ii) synthesis of polypyridyl- and hydroxyquinoline-based materials for the detection of Zn2+, and iii) the preparation of vapour-sensitive luminescent solids for the detection of organic vapours. Projects in this area involve organic and organometallic synthesis, as well as characterization of the response of new materials to the analytes of interest.
Recent publications:
Inorg. Chem., 2010, 49, 4394-4404; Chem. Eur. J., 2009, 15, 6131-6137; Inorg. Chem., 2009, 48, 3755-3767; J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2007, 129, 7510-7511.
Reactivity of Organoboron-containing Compounds
In addition to photochromic behaviour of four-coordinate organoboron compounds, we have also observed unusual reactivity displayed by organoboron-functionalized molecules that are often enhanced/triggered by the unique electronic properties of the organoboron functionality. The combination of an organoboron group with either a main group element or a transition metal ion provides an interesting platform for the study of unusual chemical transformations. Current projects concern the construction of organoboron-functionalized main group or transition metal compounds and the study of their reactivity in chemical bond cleavage/formation processes.
Charge-transport materials for organic solar cells
Photovoltaic devices based on organic materials and semiconductor nanoparticles are an attractive and relatively new class of solar cells that have the potential for simple fabrication at a fraction of the cost of their inorganic counterparts. Research in the Wang group concerns the development of new ligands to act as charge-transporting surfactants for the semiconductor nanoparticles employed in these cells, to better facilitate charge separation and the harvesting of light energy. Work involves organic synthesis for the preparation of new ligands, as well as inorganic methods for the preparation of semiconductor nanoparticles. New materials are tested at the National Research Council Laboratories in collaboration with Dr. Ye Tao's team.
