Erik David Spoerke

Improved performance of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/zinc oxide hybrid photovoltaics modified with interfacial nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide

To improve zinc oxide/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (ZnO/P3HT) hybrid solar cell performance, we introduce a nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS) film at the ZnO/P3HT heterojunction, creating a cascading energy band structure. Current-voltage characteristics under AM1.5 illumination show that, compared to unmodified ZnO/P3HT devices, CdS modification leads to an approximate doubling of the open-circuit voltage and a mild increase in fill factor, without sacrificing any short-circuit current. These characteristics double the power conversion efficiency for devices with an interfacial CdS layer. External quantum efficiency spectra reveal definite photocurrent contributions from the CdS layer, confirming the cascading band structure. The mechanisms behind open-circuit voltage increase are discussed.

Energy and charge transfer by donor–acceptor pairs confined in a metal–organic framework: a spectroscopic and computational investigation

Molecular organization of donor–acceptor pairs within a metal–organic framework (MOF) offers a new approach to improving energy and charge transfer at donor–acceptor interfaces. Here, the photo-physical effects of infiltrating MOF-177 (ZnO4(BTB)2; BTB = 1,3,5-benzenetribenzoate) with α,ω-dihexylsexithiophene (DH6T) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), representing well-established polymeric and molecular materials used in organic photovoltaics, were probed using UV-visible absorption and luminescence spectroscopies combined with first-principles electronic structure calculations. The energetics of guest molecule infiltration were determined by constructing potential energy curves from self-consistent charge density-functional tight-binding (SCC-DFTB) calculations. These reveal that infiltration is energetically favored and that DH6T and PCBM are strongly bound to MOF-177 by 55 kcal mol−1 and 57 kcal mol−1, respectively. Solution-phase infiltration with PCBM achieved a 22 wt% loading, comparable to those in bulk heterojunction solar cells, but without evidence of phase segregation. DH6T loadings were very light (maximum of ∼1 molecule per 11 unit cells), but this was sufficient to produce significant quenching of the MOF-177 photoluminescence (PL). The coincident appearance of DH6T PL demonstrates that efficient Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the MOF-177 linkers to DH6T occurs. These results show that the MOF is a multifunctional host that not only confines and stabilizes guest molecules, but also plays an active role, serving as a photon antenna that harvests light not efficiently absorbed by a donor molecule (DH6T in this case) and transferring it to guest acceptor molecules. Finally, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) predicts the existence of linker-to-PCBM charge transfer states, suggesting that photoconductivity might be achievable in an appropriately designed guest@MOF system.

Directing the polar organization of microtubules.

Microtubules (MTs) are polar protein filaments that participate in critical biological functions ranging from motor protein direction to coordination of chromosome separation during cell division. The effective facilitation of these processes, however, requires careful regulation of the polar orientation and spatial organization of the assembled MTs. We describe here an artificial approach to polar MT assembly that enables us to create three-dimensional polar-oriented synthetic microtubule organizing centers (POSMOCs). Utilizing engineered MT polymerization in concert with functionalized micro- and nanoscale particles, we demonstrate the controllable polar assembly of MTs into asters and the variations in aster structure determined by the interactions between the MTs and the functionalized organizing particles. Inspired by the aster-like form of biological structures such as centrosomes, these POSMOCs represent a key step toward replicating biologys complex materials assembly machinery.

Templated Nanocrystal Assembly on Biodynamic Artificial Microtubule Asters

Microtubules (MTs) and the MT-associated proteins (MAPs) are critical cooperative agents involved in complex nanoassembly processes in biological systems. These biological materials and processes serve as important inspiration in developing new strategies for the assembly of synthetic nanomaterials in emerging techologies. Here, we explore a dynamic biofabrication process, modeled after the form and function of natural aster-like MT assemblies such as centrosomes. Specifically, we exploit the cooperative assembly of MTs and MAPs to form artificial microtubule asters and demonstrate that (1) these three-dimensional biomimetic microtubule asters can be controllably, reversibly assembled and (2) they serve as unique, dynamic biotemplates for the organization of secondary nanomaterials. We describe the MAP-mediated assembly and growth of functionalized MTs onto synthetic particles, the dynamic character of the assembled asters, and the application of these structures as templates for three-dimensional nanocrystal organization across multiple length scales. This biomediated nanomaterials assembly strategy illuminates a promising new pathway toward next-generation nanocomposite development.

Controlled Nucleation and Growth of Pillared Paddlewheel Framework Nanostacks onto Chemically Modified Surfaces

The nucleation and growth of metal-organic frameworks onto functional surfaces stands to facilitate the utility of these supramolecular crystalline materials across a wide range of applications. Here, we demonstrate the solvothermal nucleation and growth of a pillared paddlewheel porphyrin framework 5 (PPF-5) onto semiconductor surfaces modified with carboxylic acids. Using versatile diazonium and catechol chemistries to modify silicon and titania surface chemistries, we show that solvothermally grown PPF-5 selectively nucleates and grows as stacked crystalline sheets with preferential (001), (111), and (110) crystallographic orientations. Furthermore, variations in the synthesis temperature produce modified stack morphologies that correlate with changes in the surface-nucleated PPF-5 photoluminescence.

Fast Atomic-Scale Chemical Imaging of Crystalline Materials and Dynamic Phase Transformations

Atomic-scale phenomena fundamentally influence materials form and function that makes the ability to locally probe and study these processes critical to advancing our understanding and development of materials. Atomic-scale chemical imaging by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is a powerful approach to investigate solid crystal structures. Inefficient X-ray emission and collection, however, require long acquisition times (typically hundreds of seconds), making the technique incompatible with electron-beam sensitive materials and study of dynamic material phenomena. Here we describe an atomic-scale STEM-EDS chemical imaging technique that decreases the acquisition time to as little as one second, a reduction of more than 100 times. We demonstrate this new approach using LaAlO3 single crystal and study dynamic phase transformation in beam-sensitive Li[Li0.2Ni0.2Mn0.6]O2 (LNMO) lithium ion battery cathode material. By capturing a series of time-lapsed chemical maps, we show for the first time clear atomic-scale evidence of preferred Ni-mobility in LNMO transformation, revealing new kinetic mechanisms. These examples highlight the potential of this approach toward temporal, atomic-scale mapping of crystal structure and chemistry for investigating dynamic material phenomena.

Simple, benign, aqueous-based amination of polycarbonate surfaces

Polycarbonate is a desirable material for many applications due to its favorable mechanical and optical properties. Here, we report a simple, safe, environmentally friendly aqueous method that uses diamines to functionalize a polycarbonate surface with amino groups. The use of water as the solvent for the functionalization ensures that solvent induced swelling does not affect the optical or mechanical properties of the polycarbonate. We characterize the efficacy of the surface amination using X-ray photo spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of this facile method to serve as a foundation upon which other functionalities may be attached, including antifouling coatings and oriented membrane proteins.

Thermally Programmable pH Buffers.

Many reactions in both chemistry and biology rely on the ability to precisely control and fix the solution concentrations of either protons or hydroxide ions. In this report, we describe the behavior of thermally programmable pH buffer systems based on the copolymerization of varying amounts of acrylic acid (AA) groups into N-isopropylacrylamide polymers. Because the copolymers undergo phase transitions upon heating and cooling, the local environment around the AA groups can be reversibly switched between hydrophobic and hydrophilic states affecting the ionization behavior of the acids. Results show that moderate temperature variations can be used to change the solution pH by two units. However, results also indicate that the nature of the transition and its impact on the pH values are highly dependent on the AA content and the degree of neutralization.

Microtubule-based nanomaterials: Exploiting nature's dynamic biopolymers.

For more than a decade now, biomolecular systems have served as an inspiration for the development of synthetic nanomaterials and systems that are capable of reproducing many of unique and emergent behaviors of living systems. One intriguing element of such systems may be found in a specialized class of proteins known as biomolecular motors that are capable of performing useful work across multiple length scales through the efficient conversion of chemical energy. Microtubule (MT) filaments may be considered within this context as their dynamic assembly and disassembly dissipate energy, and perform work within the cell. MTs are one of three cytoskeletal filaments in eukaryotic cells, and play critical roles in a range of cellular processes including mitosis and vesicular trafficking. Based on their function, physical attributes, and unique dynamics, MTs also serve as a powerful archetype of a supramolecular filament that underlies and drives multiscale emergent behaviors. In this review, we briefly summarize recent efforts to generate hybrid and composite nanomaterials using MTs as biomolecular scaffolds, as well as computational and synthetic approaches to develop synthetic one‐dimensional nanostructures that display the enviable attributes of the natural filaments. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1065–1073.

Conical nanopores fabricated via a pressure-biased chemical etch

Controlling the size and shape of nanopores in polymer membranes can significantly impact transport of molecular or ionic species through these membranes. Here we describe a facile method to controllably form conical nanopores in ion-tracked polycarbonate membranes. Commercial polycarbonate ion-tracked membranes were placed between a concentrated alkaline solution and an acidic solution. By varying the height of the acidic solution, the hydrostatic pressure was controlled, regulating the acid flux through the nanopores. The resulting asymmetric etching of the membrane produced conical pores with controllable aspect ratios. Scanning electron microscopy of both the pores and nickel nanostructures electrolessly templated in the pores confirms their conical shape. This safe, straightforward approach obviates the need to use large voltages, currents, and/or plasma etching equipment traditionally employed to create conical nanopores.