The Research

In this project we advance understanding in the growth of doped organic semiconductor single crystals. We are developing a physical vapor transport methodology to grow macroscopic doped crystals and exploring how controlled doping impacts both the morphological and electronic properties of these materials. Our current focus on is on rubrene crystal doped with iodine (I₂). Charge doping these semiconductors is a key step developing applications efficient and sustainable technologies such as diodes and solar cells, thus unlocking the potential of flexibility/tunability of organic materials with the practical applications. Further the use of the heavy atoms like iodine enables tuning of the coupling of different spin states potentially unlocking new ways to study singlet-triplet interactions through intersystem crossing and singlet fission and development for applications in next generation spintronic devices.

We investigate low-dimensional silver phenyl chalcogenolates (AgTePh and AgSePh), a class of hybrid organic-inorganic materials known for their unique combination of organic molecular flexibility and the superior electronic and optical properties of inorganic components. These materials, featuring low-dimensional structures like 1D chains and 2D sheets, offer exciting possibilities in optoelectronics and sensing due to their tunable electronic band structures, strong light-matter interactions, and enhanced charge transport properties. The hybrid nature of these systems allows us to harness the advantages of both material types: the organic components provide flexibility and processability, while the inorganic segments contribute to high conductivity and robustness. By optimizing their growth and doping, we aim to tailor these properties for cutting-edge applications in photodetectors, solar cells, and other optoelectronic devices. 

For this project we focus on developing doped nanocrystals to create low-toxicity perovskite and perovskite-adjacent materials. While traditional lead-based perovskites demonstrate outstanding optoelectronic properties, their inherent toxicity raises serious environmental and health concerns. Current lead-free alternatives, such as tin- and bismuth-based perovskites, have struggled with inferior photophysical properties, such as reduced photoluminescence efficiency, poor charge carrier mobility, and shorter carrier lifetimes. These issues hinder their effectiveness in optoelectronic devices. To tackle these challenges, we are investigating advanced doping strategies that aim to enhance the energy transport, and photophysical performance of these materials. Our goal is to develop nanocrystals that retain the desirable optical and electronic qualities of perovskites while being more environmentally friendly, ultimately leading to high-performance applications in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), solar cells, and photodetectors.