Organic Electronics
The synthesis of heteroacene systems actively contributes to the production of novel conjugated molecules for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices. In this regard, we have reported a new family of azaacenes, namely, the carbazolocarbazoles, which have been characterised as organic semiconductors. A series of structural isomers has been synthesised with the aim of studying the structure-property correlation in the charge mobility of Organic Field Effect Transistors.
The transparency to the visible light and the low lying HOMO energy of carbazolocarbazoles make them suitable for the application as interfacial Hole Transporting Layers in Organic Solar Cells.
The electronic structure of carbazolocarbazoles has also enabled their application as multifunctional materials, simultaneously playing the double role of hole transporting materials and organic matrix in red Organic Light Emitting Diodes with simplified architecture.
Biocompatible materials
Four-coordinate boron complexes embody a very versatile group of organic light-absorbing and light-emitting molecules which have found application in multiple research disciplines such as sensors, fluorescent sensitisers, bioimaging probes, lasers, electroluminescent devices or organic solar cells. The infinite variety of ligands enables the modulation of the electronic properties of four-coordinate boron complexes via patterned synthetic methods.
Supramolecular Chemistry and Sensors
Molecular recognition directed by non-covalent interactions results in self-assembly processes. The spontaneous assembly of molecular species has been applied to the design of molecular receptors for the recognition of anionic species. The synthesised receptors can additionally offer an output signal when the recognition process occurs, allowing their use as molecular sensors.
The research about molecular recognition, focused on the synthesis of ionophores which can bind anions in solution, can be extended to the integration of these ionophores into plasticised polymer membranes used for the fabrication of anion selective electrodes.
The supramolecular chemistry of anions has also been used in the synthesis of interlocked structures. The template effect of anionic species with different geometries can be applied to the synthesis of supramolecular structures. The removal of the template allows the use of the interlocked structure as a receptor with an adaptable supramolecular topology.