Jovan Giaimo

Wyandotte, MI
Nano 1032
847-467-4947
j-giaimo@northwestern.edu

Researchers have proposed using organic molecules to replace the inorganic components of materials commonly used in field effect transistors, light emitting diodes, and photovoltaics. Organic materials are attractive because they are easier to process through the use of techniques like spin-coating, drop-casting, and even printing. Organic materials are also compatible with plastic and able to be incorporated in flexible devices. Additionally, organic molecules can easily be tuned via chemical modification without the necessity of considering bulk properties. We have chosen the dyestuff perylene diimide (PDI), a commercially available, water insoluble, organic dye. Through chemical modification we have synthesized a variety of PDI derivatives that cover the entire visible region of the solar spectrum. Many researchers have touted materials based upon self-assembly of PDI units by looking at the macroscopic properties of these materials. In this area of research PDI molecules are arranged cofacially with a predetermined distance and orientation between adjacent molecules. The molecules are held rigidly together using xanthene scaffolds. Thus far, we have been able to study energy and electron transfer within dimers and trimers of these stacked systems mimicking the phenomena observed in materials based on the PDI chromophore.