| Speaker: |
Dr. Julio D’Arcy, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry
Washington University at St. Louis |
| Title: |
Vapor-Phase Synthesis of Organic Semiconductors for Enhancing Energy Storage Applications |
| Abstract: |
| This work explores paths that control interfacial molecular interactions responsible for the formation of conducting polymer nanostructures while pinpointing synergistic mechanisms in oxidative radical polymerization and Fe3+ solution hydrolysis. We study vapor phase polymerization, droplet evaporative self-assembly and solid-state dissolution as structure-directing tools for catalyzing the evolution of organic conjugated backbones and depositing conducting polymer coatings of high electronic conductivity (3500 S/cm). Findings show that dissolution of Hematite (α-Fe2O3) as well as in-situ growth of rod-shape Akageneite (β-FeOOH) and 2D-sheet iron oxychloride (FeOCl) nanostructures control polymer nucleation during oxidative radical polymerization enabling design of core/shell inorganic/organic nanostructured composites. We take advantage of Hematite present in a common masonry construction material, fired-red brick, to integrate poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanofibers within a brick’s inorganic microporous matrix. PEDOT stores electrochemical energy via a reversible doping mechanism. A PEDOT-brick supercapacitor shows an areal capacitance of 0.868 F/cm2 and an areal energy density of 121 µWh/cm2 calculated from galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. Gel electrolyte and epoxy seal enables 10,000 charge-discharge cycles with a ~90% capacitance retention; connecting three devices extends the voltage window to 3.6 V. We control the thickness of a polymer coating, the active electrochemical surface area of a brick electrode and develop devices that can be readily scaled up and modularized for powering microdevices embedded within a wall. |
|
| Host: |
Professor Luis Smith |
| Time: |
12:15pm
Sackler Sciences Center
Johnson Auditorium S120 |
| |
For more information: Chemistry@clarku.edu |
