This talk gives an excellent overview of our efforts on the synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of organic and  polymer materials as ultrathin films and nanoparticles. A number of synthesis strategies involve the preparation of oligomers, amphiphiles, precursor polymers, and dendrimers. While conventional organic and polymer synthesis methodologies are utilized, the challenge is in a careful rationale and design incorporating the functional group (electro-optical properties) simultaneously with self-assembly parameters. This protocol is demonstrated in a number of our current projects which includes: the electrostatic layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly of oligothiophenes, the precursor-polymer approach to pi-conjugated polymers, and the in-situ synthesis of nanoparticles. Another strategy involves the use of the surface initiated polymerization (SIP) approach to tethering polymer brushes on a variety of flat and nanoparticle surfaces. Lately, we have focused our investigation on a number of thiophene dendrimer topologies.  Thus, a number of targeted "organic" nanostructured materials are realized based on this approaches. 

About the speaker