C.M. Mauck

benchtop methods for characterizing thin film morphology and intermolecular coupling

Nanostructure & function in optoelectronic materials

Thin film optoelectronic materials such as organic semiconductors, inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals, and hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites have applications in lighting, displays, photovoltaics, sensing, and detection. Molecular-scale morphology in the solid state often determines the function and efficiency of energy and electron transfer processes in these materials. The ability to characterize and understand their structure at this scale is key to optimization and control for incorporating novel materials in technologies.

Local environments determine vibrational signatures

In solid-state optoelectronic materials, self-assembly, intermolecular coupling, and surface ligand binding lead to highly specific, though complex, vibrational spectra.

Infrared Reflectance probes surface structure

Infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) enables quantitative determination of molecular orientation at the nanoscale.