Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The proposed spectrometer supports several key research projects in our group that are funded by an NSERC discovery grant and an NSERC CREATE grant. These include (1) BN-doped singlet fission dyes for solar cells; (2) the development of highly efficient and robust blue emitters for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and oxygen sensory devices including phosphorescent transition metal complexes and thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) dyes; (3) BN-doped polyaromatic heterocycles (BN-PAHs) for organic optoelectronics including OLEDs. To establish the key parameters for either singlet fission dyes, phosphorescent emitters or TADF emitters for OLEDs or oxygen sensors, it is absolutely necessary to have routine-access to a time-resolved phosphorimeter. The time-resolved phosphorimeter allows the determination of decay lifetimes and energy of phosphorescent emission from the dye molecules, which are the key to understanding the relationship of structures and properties, the logical design and development of new functional luminescent materials, and the advancement of our research program in a high competitive manner. The proposed spectrometer is an indispensable tool for the research of 10 graduate students, one postdoctoral fellow and undergraduate students in Wang's lab. The advanced analytical knowledge and skills acquired by students through their hands-on operation of the proposed spectrometer will give them a highly competitive edge in the job market.*