The drive for miniaturization in technology has spurred interest in nanostructures based on organic materials due to their cost-effectiveness, scalability, flexibility, and transparency compared to inorganic alternatives. This research focuses on achieving covalently interlinked molecular building blocks, such as π-conjugated polymers, for applications in organic electronic devices. These polymers exhibit enhanced mechanical stability and charge transport efficiency. The on-surface synthesis of polymers provides precise control over the formation of ordered graphene-like architectures with tunable properties. While polymerization in ultrahigh vacuum allows in-depth analysis of surface reactions, efforts are ongoing to replicate such processes under less demanding, application-relevant conditions. This study investigates the on-surface synthesis of one-dimensional π-conjugated polymers via two methodologies: Ullmann coupling in ultrahigh vacuum on Cu(110) and Schiff-base coupling at the solid-water interface on Au(111). Using synchrotron radiation-based spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, the research provides insights into the role of halogens in Ullmann coupling and the pH-dependent evolution of molecular species in Schiff-base coupling. Collaborative efforts with international research groups enriched this work, which has been presented at conferences and published in high-impact journals. The Thesis is structured into six chapters, covering an introduction to surface-confined polymerization, experimental techniques, materials, and procedures, followed by detailed results from the two polymerization methods. Concluding remarks highlight the significance of the findings and propose future research directions.

Surface-confined polymerization in vacuum and water: insights into Ullmann and Schiff-base couplings

Marco, Di Giovannantonio
2015

Abstract

The drive for miniaturization in technology has spurred interest in nanostructures based on organic materials due to their cost-effectiveness, scalability, flexibility, and transparency compared to inorganic alternatives. This research focuses on achieving covalently interlinked molecular building blocks, such as π-conjugated polymers, for applications in organic electronic devices. These polymers exhibit enhanced mechanical stability and charge transport efficiency. The on-surface synthesis of polymers provides precise control over the formation of ordered graphene-like architectures with tunable properties. While polymerization in ultrahigh vacuum allows in-depth analysis of surface reactions, efforts are ongoing to replicate such processes under less demanding, application-relevant conditions. This study investigates the on-surface synthesis of one-dimensional π-conjugated polymers via two methodologies: Ullmann coupling in ultrahigh vacuum on Cu(110) and Schiff-base coupling at the solid-water interface on Au(111). Using synchrotron radiation-based spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, the research provides insights into the role of halogens in Ullmann coupling and the pH-dependent evolution of molecular species in Schiff-base coupling. Collaborative efforts with international research groups enriched this work, which has been presented at conferences and published in high-impact journals. The Thesis is structured into six chapters, covering an introduction to surface-confined polymerization, experimental techniques, materials, and procedures, followed by detailed results from the two polymerization methods. Concluding remarks highlight the significance of the findings and propose future research directions.
2015
Inglese
GOLETTI, CLAUDIO
CONTINI, GIORGIO
BONANNI, BEATRICE
Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata"
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14242/195269
Il codice NBN di questa tesi è URN:NBN:IT:UNIROMA2-195269