The synthesis of p-conjugated thiophene-based systems and the structural and functional characterization of oligomers have broad prospects of development for several high-tech applications. The polymerization of these oligomers on metal surfaces both in monocrystalline form or nanoparticles, represents a bottom-up strategy for the preparation of innovative materials for pho-tonics, optoelectronics and nanotechnology in which ISM is involved. Specific charge transport properties in such systems are highly dependent on their morphology on the nanoscale and require accurate theoretical and experimental studies. In organic photovoltaics applications, for example, the materials are characterized in great detail by both the laser spectroscopy, with temporal resolution of fs (Pump & Probe), and the high resolution NEXAFS, XPS and PES spectroscopies with synchrotron radiation, in either solid or gaseous phase, using the facilities available in the institute or managed by the ISM at the synchrotron Elettra in Trieste.
Optical measurements are assisted by ab initio simulations that describe the properties of atomic-scale systems and facilitate the interpretation of the resulting spectra.
Staff: Ambra Guarnaccio, Giuseppe Mattioli, Antonio Santagata, Marcello Coreno, Monica de Simone (CNR-IOM), Cesare Grazioli (CNR-IOM).